As the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy left an indelible mark through his leadership amid the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement. Jacqueline Kennedy, his wife, became one of the most iconic First Ladies in American history, widely admired for her impeccable fashion sense and her passionate efforts to restore the White House and preserve American historical sites. It was on the morning of September 12, 1953, that Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier exchanged vows in what the press eagerly dubbed the "society wedding of the year."
The Ceremony
Few weddings in mid-century America generated as much excitement as the union of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier — an event so grand that many likened it to a royal affair. The marriage brought together two prominent, well-connected East Coast families at a moment when John F. Kennedy, then a senator, was widely regarded as one of the country's most eligible bachelors. The Kennedy family had already cemented its reputation as a formidable political dynasty, and Jacqueline Bouvier — beautiful, brilliant, and impeccably connected — was seen as the perfect match. Predictably, the media whipped itself into a frenzy over the occasion.
The Catholic ceremony took place at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island, with more than 800 guests in attendance. Archbishop Richard Cushing of Boston officiated and delivered a blessing from Pope Pius XII. Afterward, over 1,200 people gathered for the reception, held at Hammersmith Farm, the home of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. The wedding party was impressively large as well, comprising more than 20 friends and family members.
Iconic Dress Disaster
Renowned African American fashion designer Ann Lowe was the creative force behind Jackie Kennedy's wedding gown as well as the bridesmaid dresses. Lowe's masterpiece for the bride was crafted from over 50 yards of ivory silk taffeta, embellished with interwoven strands of wax flowers — a truly one-of-a-kind creation.
Disaster struck just one week before the ceremony when a water pipe burst inside Ann Lowe's studio, destroying several dresses, the wedding gown among them. Rather than alert the Kennedy family, Lowe and her team threw themselves into a tireless race against the clock to recreate every ruined dress before the big day. Remarkably, Ann Lowe absorbed all the costs of the replacement materials and production herself.
Today, that beautiful gown can be seen periodically on display at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.