On September 12, 1953, junior Senator John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier. The illustrious couple met at a dinner party in Georgetown. After dating for two years, Kennedy proposed.
More than 800 guests including senators, diplomats, arrived at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island to attend the wedding. Jackie’s dress, along with all the bride’s maid’s dresses, was ruined after a pipe burst at Lowe’s studio just days before the wedding. Fortunately, all the dresses were recreated in time for the wedding.
The Archbishop of Boston presided over the ceremony, even reading a personal message from Pope Pius XII.
The reception was held at Hammersmith Farm, the family of the bride’s 300-acre property nearby. There were so many people at the reception that it took the newlyweds over two hours to greet all of them in the receiving line. Their first dance was to ‘I Married an Angel‘ by Meyer Davis and His Orchestra.
America’s first couple- Photos from the wedding of John F. Kennedy and wife Jacqueline. Daily MailThe Ivory tissue-silk dress, with a portrait neckline and bouffant skirt with wax flowers, was an immediate success; the look, complete with an heirloom rose-point lace veil and pearls, is one of the most iconic bridal looks of all time. BridesJacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s wedding dress worn Sept.12, 1953 when she married John F. Kennedy; displayed at JFK Library and Museum. PinterestJackie was escorted down the aisle of St. Mary’s Church by her stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss. BridesSix hundred guests stand listening to wedding vows of Sen. John F. Kennedy and his bride Jacqueline. (Photo by Lisa Larsen//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)A photo of the Kennedys Catholic ceremony. PinterestThe wedding was held in Newport RI at St. Mary’s church, the reception subsequently held at the bride’s stepfather’s seaside home, Hammersmith Farm on. Lisa Larsen LIFEThe crowd outside St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island, looking to get a glance at the wedding of Jack and Jackie Kennedy in 1953.John and Jackie in color. PinterestJohn F. Kennedy and Jackie outside St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Daily MailJFK and Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding, September 12, 1953. PinterestJackie’s dress almost didn’t make it to the ceremony. Disaster struck when a pipe burst in designer Ann Lowe’s New York city studio, covering the wedding gown and the bridesmaids dresses in water 10 days before the ceremony. BridesNewly married Jackie and John F. Kennedy with their mothers- Rose Kennedy and Janet Auchincloss. Pinterest.Jacqueline with her mother and stepfather on her wedding day at Hammersmith Farm. PinterestWedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier at Hammersmith Farm, Newport, Rhode Island, Date- 12 September 1953. PinterestJackie and John on their wedding day. Daily MailThe Kennedys greeting their wedding guests. LifeGeneral view of the guests at the reception the newly wed future US President John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, Newport, Rhode Island, September 12, 1953. (Photo by Lisa Larsen/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)When Jackie and JFK got married on September 12, 1953, in Newport, Rhode Island, it was the society wedding of the year, complete with a blessing from the Pope. BridesA rare color photo of John and Jackie Kennedy’s 1953 Wedding. PinterestThe couple’s wedding ceremony drew an estimated 700 guests, with 1200 attending the reception. Daily Mail