Think you know everything about John and Jacqueline Kennedy? These JFK wedding facts just might surprise you.
11 Little-Known Facts About the Wedding of JFK and Jackie
Updated on Jul. 28, 2025
Jackie’s dress was created by an African American designer
People are still talking about Jackie’s dress, all these decades later, and it’s easy to see why. She chose an ivory gown made of tissue silk, with a fitted bodice, short sleeves, a portrait neckline and a bouffant skirt embellished with bands of more than 50 yards of flounces, according to the JFK Presidential Library and Museum. According to Vogue, the dress was designed by Ann Lowe, an African American designer. Sadly, Lowe did not receive public credit for her design at JFK’s wedding until after her death.
There was an unexpected accident before the wedding
When it came to outfitting Jackie and her bridesmaids, all was going swimmingly until … a pipe burst at Lowe’s New York City atelier just days before the wedding. The accident soaked—and completely destroyed—all of Lowe’s work. With only days to go before the wedding, Lowe rallied, recreating Jackie’s gorgeous gown and all the bridesmaids’ dresses with the help of a team she assembled to work nonstop until everything was complete (again!).
The wedding included a Catholic mass
It was no shock to the more than 800 guests that the wedding would include a Catholic mass. The invitations had been worded in a traditional manner: “Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Dudley Auchincloss request the honour of your presence … ” Hold on, who are the Auchinclosses? That would be Jackie’s stepfather and mother, Janet (née Bouvier).
In this photo of JFK’s wedding, the bride and groom kneel at the altar.
The pope blessed the wedding
The ceremony was performed by a friend of the Kennedy family, the Archbishop Richard Cushing, who was assisted by four other priests, including the head of the Christopher Society and the former president of Notre Dame. Before the mass, a blessing from Pope Pius XII was read. (That’s his statue pictured above.)
The mother of the groom was a papal countess
In 1951, Rose Kennedy was named a “papal countess” by the Vatican in recognition of her “exemplary motherhood and many charitable works.” She was only the sixth American woman to have that title bestowed upon her by the Roman Catholic Church. Catholicism was so important to Rose that when her daughter Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy married a Protestant, Rose refused to attend the wedding.
The wedding reception was immense
The wedding reception was held at Hammersmith Farm, the oceanfront estate owned by the Auchincloss family. These are the guest numbers for their reception:
- 300: The number of acres on which Hammersmith Farm sits
- 400: The number of guests who did not fit at the church but were nevertheless invited to the reception
- 1,200: The final count of reception guests
In this photo from JFK’s wedding, the bride is escorted by her groom to the reception, along with Charles Bartlett, JFK’s brother Edward, and Torbert MacDonald.
The first dance featured a song by Johnny Mathis
The music at the reception was provided by Meyer Davis and his orchestra, which played “I Married an Angel” for the Kennedys’ first dance as husband and wife.
The wedding cake was tall
In this photo from JFK’s wedding, the new husband and wife cut into their wedding cake. This towering confection was baked by William Paul, head baker for the Plourdes Bakery, of Fall River, Massachusetts, and had five tiers topped by roses. In the background, you can see Ethel Skakel Kennedy (the wife of JFK’s brother Robert) looking on and smiling.
The wedding party was huge
Here’s a photo of the whole crew at JFK’s wedding. The groom’s attendants included his brother Robert (best man), his brother Edward, his brother-in-law Sargent Shriver (married to his sister Eunice), his cousin Joe Gargan, his friend Lem Billings, his friend Red Fay, his friend Torbert Macdonald, his Senate colleague George Smathers, Jackie’s brother-in-law Michael Canfield, and the man who had introduced the couple, Charles Bartlett.
The bride’s attendants included her sister Lee (matron of honor), her stepsister Nina G. Auchincloss (maid of honor), her sister-in-law Ethel Kennedy (wife of Robert), her former boarding school roommate Nancy Tuckerman, her half-sister Janet Auchincloss (flower girl), and the groom’s sister Jean.
The honeymoon was in Mexico
After JFK’s wedding, the new Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy were showered with rose-petal confetti and rice as they exited their reception and headed off to their honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico. In this photo, the newlyweds admire John’s impressive catch (a sailfish).
You can get married at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum
Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, the nine-story glass Pavilion at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston is available for rentals—though for weddings not quite as big as the Kennedy wedding, as the space holds 300 people max.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on JFK’s wedding, Lauren Cahn tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who often covers history and interesting facts for Reader’s Digest. We’ve gone the extra step and had Ambrose Martos, a fact-checker with 20-plus years of experience researching for national publications including National Geographic Adventure and Popular Mechanics, verify that all facts, studies and quotes are correct. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- National Museum of African American History and Culture: “Ann Lowe: Fashion Icon”
- Brides: “Honoring Ann Lowe, the Designer Behind Jackie Kennedy’s Wedding Dress”
- University Archives: “John F. & Jackie Kennedy Original Wedding Guest List”
- Heritage Auctions: “[John F. Kennedy]. Wedding Invitation …. “
- New York Times: “Cushing: Ecumenical Leader, Kennedys’ Friend, Communists’ Foe”
- JFK Museum: “Special Exhibit Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy”
- America magazine: “Catholic church where JFK married Jackie celebrates couple’s 70th wedding anniversary”
- Vogue: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Jackie Kennedy’s Wedding to JFK”
- Wicked Local: “Fall River bakery furnished cake for JFK’s wedding”
- Life: “JFK and Jackie’s Wedding, 1953”
- Brides: “Jackie Kennedy and John F. Kennedy’s 1953 Wedding in Photos”
