The marriage of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island, united a rising Massachusetts senator and a Washington Times-Herald reporter in a ceremony that drew approximately 600 diplomats, senators, and social figures. Archbishop Cushing of Boston performed the rites, which included a special blessing from the pope, while Jackie’s stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss, gave her away.
The Romance Begins at a 1951 Dinner Party
The couple’s relationship began in 1951 when journalist Charles Bartlett organized a dinner party. At the time, John F. Kennedy was a senator from Massachusetts, and Jacqueline Bouvier worked as a reporter for the Washington Times-Herald. The two crossed paths socially and professionally, leading Jackie to interview the future president before their engagement was announced on June 25, 1953.
Accounts regarding the exact proposal location vary. Some place the proposal at the Omni Hotel in Boston, while others point to Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown. Regardless of the exact venue, the engagement quickly drew national attention. In July 1953, the couple appeared together on the cover of Life magazine under the headline “Senator Kennedy Goes a-Courting,” marking their first magazine cover together.
A Historic Wedding at Newport and Hammersmith Farm
Following the ceremony at St. Mary’s Church, approximately 900 guests attended the reception at Hammersmith Farm, the Auchincloss estate. Jackie wore an ivory silk taffeta gown designed by Ann Lowe, one of the first notable African American fashion designers. The dress featured a portrait neckline and required 50 yards of material, complemented by a family heirloom lace veil and a diamond bracelet gifted by JFK.
The wedding cake was a four-foot-tall confection featuring white sponge cake, raspberry preserves, and raspberry-flavored buttercream finished in white icing. The newlyweds spent part of the summer leading up to the wedding relaxing and sailing at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
The White House Years and Subsequent Tragedies
The couple faced personal hardships early in their marriage, including a miscarriage in 1955 and the loss of a stillborn daughter, Arabella, in 1956. Their family grew with the birth of Caroline Kennedy on November 27, 1957, followed by John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1960, the same year JFK was elected president of the United States on November 8, 1960.
As First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy was celebrated for her innate elegance and sharp sense of style. The administration also faced profound private grief. On August 14, 1963, their newborn son, Patrick, died 39 hours after birth.
The Assassination of JFK and Later Years
The presidency and the marriage ended abruptly on November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated in the streets of Dallas shortly after 12:30 p.m. The assassination shocked the nation and plunged the Kennedy family into prolonged public mourning.
Five years after the assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy married the Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis, seeking privacy and security. Following Onassis’s death on March 15, 1975, she maintained a relationship with Maurice Tempelsman until her death in 1994.
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