I was looking for a book on my shelves the other day, and came across a book I had picked up at Book Thing, called Kennedy Weddings. It’s by Jay Mulvaney, with a foreword by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book is mainly photographs and catalogues three generations of the weddings in this famous family, including Jack’s wedding to Jackie. I’ve written a couple of stories about Jackie Kennedy’s wardrobe, here and here.
I had recently found a biography of Kick Kennedy and learned a lot about her marriage to Billy Hartington, the heir to the Devonshire family estate, Chatsworth. They spent their honeymoon at one of the “cottages” on the property.
They were not married long, as he was killed in WWII and she died in a plane crash a few years later.
The wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and John Fitzgerald Kennedy took place at the bride’s step-family’s farm in Newport, Rhode Island. 
One of the quotes in the book comes from Caroline Kennedy who said her mother felt like she looked like a lampshade in her wedding dress. The dress was, and may still be, on display at the Kennedy Library in Boston.
It’s hard to think of how the world would be different if JFK had lived. 
She looks a little scared here, doesn’t she… Does she know what she’s in for?
Caroline Kennedy married Edwin Schlossberg in 1986 in Massachusetts. Her white silk organza dress was dotted with shamrocks as a tribute to her father. It was designed by Carolina Herrara.
Last, but not least, the wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. to Carolyn Bessette in 1996 on Cumberland Island Georgia. Who can forget how beautiful the bride looked as she was leaving the church. It’s been ten years since this couple died in a plane crash… 
Such a beautiful but tragic family.
When they mentioned the anniversary the other day I was stunned that John was gone that long. Man was he sexy!!!
ReplyDeleteThank u for posting these beautiful pictures! I also happen to own a copy of the Mulvany bk. Very tragic stuff involved in those Kennedy weddings! Re that picture of Jackie & JFK, u had commented that she looked rather scared. I guess that is typical of a young bride, especially of that period. However, were you aware that Jackie had quite a traumatic incident on her wedding day re her father? It was so sad, he was an alcaholic. Jackie's mother reluctantly agreed to his giving Jackie away (they had been through a divorice). Right before the ceremony, Mr. Auchincloss was found to be too drunk to give his daughter away! She was devestated but went on w/the show, allowing her step-father to substitute.
ReplyDeleteMany biographers feel that there was some neurotic "controlling" behavior going on w/Mrs. Auchincloss, who may have set up her "ex" husband to mess up & have extra drinks. Mrs. A supposedly never wanted her ex to appear in the wedding party. I have no idea if this is true or not, but it must have been very tragic for Jackie who adored her father in spite of his flaws. She was challenged on her Wedding Day to be a trooper. Sad practice for things to come.
I also liked the picture of "Kick" you put up. I had recently seen a picture of "Kick" as a child, she looked just like Caroline! Kick's haircut was identical to Caroline's. Another writer recently said that Caroline was much more like her Aunt Katherine than her Mother, I do agree. Caroline is a real pretty lady, but she does take after her Dad's family!
You have a very interesting site; thank you for putting those beautiful pictures and comments up.
Anon... I think it was her real father, Black Jack Bouvier, who was too drunk to walk her down the aisle.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Caroline does look a lot like her aunt Kick.
wonderful images. I can't quite imagine the dowager Duchess of
ReplyDeleteDevonshire anyone but Deborah Mitford. I bet Jackie did have regrets about that wedding dress-it does not fit her wardrobe profile at all. How could she have regretted the marriage at any point in her life? I would guess if J. had not become Mrs. K. we would have known her as some other famous someone, no doubt. la
This was a treat Meg! I'm curious- did they mention anything about the bridesmaid dresses from Caroline's wedding? I could never figure those out- they seemed odd.
ReplyDeletePeak... They didn't say anything about those dresses. I thought they were terrible dresses. Kind of purple flower prints with odd gathers... But I do love Caroline's dress. It's perfect for her.
ReplyDeleteI think Carolyn Bessette has the best dress of the group. Not very wedding-ish and maybe that's its charm. It looks far more elegant than the other two.
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg,
ReplyDeleteJust lovely pictures and what stories accompany each of these special days! Thanks, Have a GREAT WEEKEND!
Leslie
I must own this book!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe it's been ten years......
ReplyDeleteWho was Kick Kennedy? Or is that a nickname for one of the Kennedy daughters?
ReplyDeleteBetty... Kick was Kathleen Kennedy, the oldest daughter. She died in the late 40's, so was alive during Camelot years. There's also another daughter who was mentally retarded. I am not sure whether she's still alive.
ReplyDeleteI do think the mentally challenged daughter is still alive. Meg - you need to use the P.C. word! I was just lectured about this very topic last night. You know - I totally forgot Kick Kennedy's connection to Chatsworth - isn't life strange? So, Debo's husband was the younger brother of Kick's husband? whoa.
ReplyDeleteRosemary died in 2005. I just looked it up. She was "slow" probably slightly challenged but as she grew to be a woman, her father worried about her falling in love or getting pregnant and had her lobotomized in an effort to either cure her or quiet her down - she never recovered from the procedure and was left extremely feeble. Where as before she was brought out in public and was always a part of all family gatherings, she then had to be institutionalized and was never seen in public again.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad stories in that family, Joni.
ReplyDeleteThat glorious photo of John and Caroline. Iconic. I shall always appauld them for pulling off a private wedding. They are missed.
ReplyDeleteThe lives and legends of so many people;tragic. A family that suffer so much more tragedy than others, or is it just because they were so adored and famous that we feel that way?
ReplyDeleteI still wonder if Jackie knew what a philanderer Jack was?
Caroline was married at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville on Cape Cod. I was surprised she wasn't married at Francis Xavier in Hyannis, but Victory is a more elegant white clapboard. For some odd reason it sticks that her wedding dress was a size four. And agreed, the bridesmaid dresses were dumpy...didn't they have a dropped waist or something?
ReplyDeleteThe house JFK and Jack married at in Newport can be seen from the road, which I always thought was interesting; i.e. not tucked down a long lane or hidden. I always felt bad her father let her down on her wedding day. What a time to have to suck it up and not show your pain...and you just know some catty person came up to her during the reception and made some catty remark about him not being present.
Kick is buried at Chatsworth, which is interesting since she was involved with another man and died in the plane with him. I was surprised the Kennedys didn't take her back to Brookline, Mass where others are buried. When JFK was President he visited Chatsworth to leave flowers for his sister.
http://bygonederbyshire.co.uk/articles/Tragedy_struck_the_ill-fated_Kennedy_family
Basically, good ole Rose Kennedy condemned her daughter for disobeying her and marrying outside of her faith. She had strong words along the lines of "You'll go to hell." Fine words from a woman who buried her head in couture as a trade off for a philandering husband.
I have a good Rose Kennedy story I just read in this new book "Joseph Kennedy Presents: The Hollywood Years." Mrs. Kennedy and her sister were leaving for a long tour of the Western States (she left the children a lot,) and six year old JFK said to her, as she walked out the door, "What a fine mother you are."
I never noticed before, but in the picture where Jackie is smiling she the same mouth as Cameron Diaz (or vice versa). Thanks for the pictures.
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