In 1953, a notable wedding took place in Newport, Rhode Island. John F. Kennedy, who was a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts at the time, married Jacqueline Bouvier. The wedding ceremony happened on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church. This church is a beautiful building with a long history in Newport.
The bride, Jacqueline Bouvier, wore a special dress for the occasion. Her wedding gown was made of ivory silk taffeta. It featured a fitted top part with a wide neckline that went across her shoulders. The skirt was very full and round, made with many yards of fabric. The dress had decorative bands of tucking and small wax flowers added to it, giving it a detailed look. She wore her grandmother’s lace veil, held in place by a lace and orange blossom tiara. Her bouquet was made of pink and white flowers, specifically gardenias and orchids. She wore only a few pieces of jewelry, including a pearl necklace that was a family piece.
The wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Church was a significant event. Boston’s Archbishop Richard Cushing performed the marriage service. Many guests, around 800 people, filled the church to witness the couple exchange vows. The atmosphere inside the church was formal and traditional, fitting for a religious ceremony of this importance. Outside the church, crowds also gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous guests and the newlyweds.
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Following the church service, a large wedding reception was held. The reception took place at Hammersmith Farm, which was Jacqueline’s childhood summer home in Newport. This was a beautiful estate with views of the water. The reception was a much larger gathering than the ceremony, with about 1,200 guests attending.
The reception included a luncheon for the guests. There was a multi-tiered wedding cake, a traditional centerpiece for the celebration. Music was played by an orchestra, and guests enjoyed dancing. The grounds of Hammersmith Farm provided a spacious setting for the large number of attendees. The event brought together many notable people from the worlds of politics and society.
The day was filled with moments of celebration for the newly married couple. From the formal ceremony in the church to the lively reception at the farm, the wedding was a grand affair. The bride’s dress was a focal point, admired by many. The large number of guests showed the prominence of both the Bouvier and Kennedy families. The wedding of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier was a memorable event in 1953, marking the start of their life together.
