A Look Back at JFK and Jackie Kennedy's 1953 Wedding: 11 Iconic Photos of Their Timeless Celebration

Long before they arrived at the White House, Jackie Kennedy and John F. Kennedy established themselves as the picture-perfect American couple. After first meeting at a party in 1951, the two got engaged in 1953. However, the story of how the politician proposed to the journalist is debated. While some claim that he popped the question at Martin's, a tavern in Washington, D.C., others are sure that he asked for her hand in marriage at Parker's, a restaurant at the Omni Hotel in Boston. Yet, regardless of how the proposal unfolded, the duo's nuptials are well-documented. On September 12, 1953, the two tied the knot in an opulent ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island that was quickly labeled "the society wedding of the year."

From the bride's iconic gown to the two-hour-long receiving line, much of their nuptials fascinated the world, as it soon became known as the American royal wedding. Even though the celebration unfolded more than 70 years ago, modern couples are still turning to the Kennedys for inspiration when planning their own timeless nuptials. For the affair, the duo followed many time-honored traditions—from the tiered cake and romantic first dance to the multi-course meal and family-focused wedding party.

Here, we're taking a look back at JFK and Jackie Kennedy's historic 1953 wedding through 11 iconic photos. Read on to see them all and learn about the details behind their celebration.

Jackie Kennedy's Iconic Wedding Dress

When it came time to find a designer for her wedding dress, Jackie Kennedy tapped Anne Lowe to craft the iconic gown. Lowe, who had experience creating ensembles for a number of elite families, including the Roosevelts, Rockefellers, and du Ponts, had a working relationship with Jackie's sister, Lee. The family asked Lowe to craft Jackie's dress, as well as her bridesmaids' ensembles.

However, just 10 days before the celebration, disaster struck when a pipe burst in Lowe's New York City studio, covering the wedding gown and the bridesmaid dresses in water. Yet, the designer quickly worked to recreate each of the pieces in time for the big day. The end result was truly showstopping. On the day of her wedding, Jackie debuted the ivory tissue-silk dress, which featured a portrait neckline and a bouffant skirt with wax flowers. An heirloom rose-point lace veil and a pearl necklace completed her look.

Yet, according to What Jackie Taught Us, the future first lady wasn't thrilled with the gown, having dreamt of a simpler, sleeker dress. (Her partner's father was reportedly the one who insisted on a grand gown for the occasion.) Even though the bride may not have approved of the piece, the rest of the world did. The ensemble influenced numerous bridal trends in the years to come. However, as a Black woman, Lowe received little recognition for her work at the time of the couple's wedding.

Jackie Kennedy and JFK's Wedding Ceremony

For her nuptials, Jackie was escorted down the aisle of St. Mary's Church by her stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss, as tenor soloist Luigi Vena sang the hymn "Ave Maria." Before the ceremony began, Archbishop Cushing read a personal blessing from Pope Pius XII. While the couple invited 600 guests, including diplomats, senators, and socialites, to witness their vow exchange, thousands of fans gathered outside of the church to try and catch a glimpse of the bride and groom as they exited.

Jackie Kennedy and JFK's Wedding Party

When it came time to select loved ones to be in their wedding party, Jackie and JFK turned to their closest family members and friends. Lee, Jackie's sister, served as her matron of honor, and Nina Auchincloss, Jackie's stepsister, was her maid of honor. Nancy Tuckerman, Martha Bartlett, Ethel Skakel Kennedy, Jean Kennedy, Shirley Oakes, Aileen Travers, Sylvia Whitehouse, and Helen Spaulding were her attendants.

The groom selected his brother Robert to be his best man. Edward, his brother, Sargent Shriver, his brother-in-law, and Charles Bartlett, who introduced him to Jackie, served as ushers, as did Michael Canfield, George Smathers, K. LeMoyne Billings, Torbert Macdonald, Charles Spalding, James Reed, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Gargan, Paul B. Fay, Jr., and Hugh D. Auchincloss III.

Jackie Kennedy and JFK's Wedding Reception

The duo's wedding reception was even larger than their ceremony: Approximately 1,000 guests arrived at Hammersmith Farm, Jackie's mother's property, to celebrate the bride and groom. Yet, even with so many attendees, the couple took the time to greet each of them in a receiving line that lasted two hours. Eventually, they made their way into the space to share their first dance to "I Married an Angel," which was performed by Meyer Davis and his orchestra. Lunch, which consisted of fruit cup, creamed chicken, and ice cream, was served outside before the newlyweds cut into their wedding cake: a five-tier confection with a floral topper.