On September 12, 1953, a significant chapter in American history was celebrated as John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island. The event drew over 800 guests, including family, friends, and prominent figures, all gathered to witness the union of two influential individuals. Jacqueline, affectionately known as Jackie, was presented by her stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss, and radiated elegance in an exquisite gown crafted from ivory tissue silk. The gown featured a portrait neckline, a fitted bodice, and a dramatic bouffant skirt adorned with bands of over 50 yards of flounces, as detailed by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Jackie’s beauty was further enhanced by a veil that had a sentimental history, worn first by her grandmother. It was gracefully draped from a tiara embellished with lace and orange blossoms. On her neck, she wore a choker of pearls, while a diamond bracelet gifted by Kennedy adorned her wrist. The bride’s bouquet, a stunning arrangement of pink and white spray orchids and gardenias, added a touch of natural beauty to the elegant affair. The marriage ceremony was conducted by Archbishop Cushing, a close friend of the Kennedy family, with assistance from four other priests, including the former president of Notre Dame. A special blessing from Pope Pius XII was also a part of the ceremony, underscoring the importance of this occasion.
Following the nuptials, the celebration continued at Hammersmith Farm, the expansive Auchincloss estate spanning 300 acres along the oceanfront. The reception was an extravagant affair, attended by more than 1,200 guests who were treated to an unforgettable evening. The newlyweds shared their first dance to the romantic tune “I Married an Angel,” marking the beginning of their life together. A wedding cake, towering at an impressive four feet, added a striking centerpiece to the festivities. Life magazine published stunning wedding photos shortly after, capturing the essence of the day and the joy of the couple, while multiple guests remarked that this grand wedding felt “just like a coronation,” a sentiment that hinted at the future prominence of the couple.
The couple’s journey toward fame began on June 24, 1953, when they publicly announced their engagement. John F. Kennedy would later ascend to the position of the 35th president of the United States, while Jackie would become one of the most beloved First Ladies in American history. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was born in 1929 into a distinguished New York family and graduated from George Washington University in 1951. She initially started her career as the “Inquiring Camera Girl” for the Washington Times-Herald, where she roamed the streets of Washington, D.C. to gather public opinions. It was during this time that she attended a dinner party in Georgetown and met the charming Senator John F. Kennedy. Their romance blossomed over the next two years, culminating in Kennedy’s proposal in May 1953, with a stunning 2.88-carat diamond and emerald ring from the luxury jeweler, Van Cleef and Arpels.
After their wedding in 1953, the Kennedys settled in Washington, D.C., where John continued his political ascent. Seven years later, he triumphed over Richard M. Nixon to become president. The couple welcomed their first child, Caroline, in 1957, and soon after, their son John Jr. was born just weeks after Kennedy took office. Tragically, a third child, Patrick, passed away shortly after birth in August 1963, which cast a shadow over their family life.
The course of American history would dramatically shift on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while traveling in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. This fateful day saw Jackie by her husband’s side, as they participated in a public motorcade with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife. As their vehicle passed the Texas School Book Depository Building, Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired shots, fatally striking President Kennedy. He was pronounced dead only 30 minutes later at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. The nation was plunged into mourning as Kennedy was only 46 years old at the time of his death.
Shortly after his assassination, preparations began for the late president’s burial. Jackie, determined to create a grave site that the American public could visit, chose Arlington National Cemetery over Brookline, Massachusetts, where Kennedy was born. Initially located on a sloping hillside, the grave site was later reconstructed to better accommodate the crowds. An eternal flame, lighted by Jackie, now rests at the grave site, symbolizing the lasting legacy of both John and Jacqueline Kennedy. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was ultimately laid to rest beside her husband on May 23, 1994, forever intertwining their legacies.
