JFK and Jackie Kennedy's First Year of Marriage In Photos

Rare shots of the political power couple showcase their early life together.

Kennedy Newlyweds
(Image credit: Hulton Archive)
Julia Shingler
By Julia Shingler
published

John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier's wedding was as fairytale-esque as real life gets. The ceremony was held on September 12, 1953 in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island and a luxe reception followed with more than 800 guests. But after the celebration, real life began. Here, we share rare photos of the iconic couple during their first year of marriage. Name a more iconic duo; we'll wait.

Just Married
(Image credit: Bettmann)

Just Married

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy (neé Bouvier) leave the church after their September nuptials.

The Wedding Reception
(Image credit: Lisa Larsen)

The Wedding Reception

Jackie and JFK are surrounded by their family and friends before they cut the cake at during wedding reception. The four-foot-tall cake was baked by William Paul, the head baker for the Plourdes Bakery.

Newlyweds
(Image credit: Hulton Archive)

Newlyweds

The newlyweds sit on the lawn of the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

A Family Affair
(Image credit: Historical)

A Family Affair

JFK, Ethel Kennedy, Jackie, and Robert Kennedy (left to right) take a picture while enjoying a day at the beach in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Enjoying Down Time
(Image credit: ullstein bild Dtl.)

Enjoying Down Time

JFK relaxes after the wedding by working on an easel painting. He was already in politics by this point in his life.

A Young Jackie
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

A Young Jackie

The future First Lady got a chic pixie haircut after the wedding, further proving her quintessentially refined style.

Remembering the Big Day
(Image credit: ullstein bild Dtl.)

Remembering the Big Day

The newly married couple goes through the press photos from their wedding day together.

A Fond Farewell
(Image credit: Bettmann)

A Fond Farewell

Husband and wife bid farewell to each other outside of their Georgetown home. Jackie, seen with books in hand, is on her way to attend classes at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.

The Family Dog
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

The Family Dog

Jackie gives the couple's dog a quick bath on their outdoor patio.

The Junior Senator
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

The Junior Senator

JFK listens during a meeting in his office in Washington D.C., while representing the state of Massachusetts as a Junior Senator.

All-American Activities
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

All-American Activities

The future President dresses down in sneakers to throw a football with his brother in his backyard. In the foreground, his sister-in-law, Ethel, and Jackie look on.

Society Darling
(Image credit: FPG)

Society Darling

Jackie walks in a runway show for the annual "April in Paris" Ball.

Meeting President Truman
(Image credit: Boston Globe)

Meeting President Truman

JFK chats with former President Harry Truman at a Boston fundraiser for the Truman Memorial Library in March 1954.

Busy at Home
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Busy at Home

Jackie is photographed deep in conversation as she takes an important phone call in their shared D.C. home.

Managing Chores
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Managing Chores

Jackie gets into some housework as she lays out the couple's china set to clean at their duplex in Georgetown.

A Day at Home
(Image credit: Bettmann)

A Day at Home

The couple both tend to their own business during a quiet day in their Georgetown home office.

In Sickness and Health
(Image credit: Bettmann)

In Sickness and Health

Jackie meets her husband in the ambulance as he is transported from the hospital following a corrective spine surgery in December 1954 due to injuries he endured during World War II.

A Formidable Team
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

A Formidable Team

The Junior Senator consults his wife, Jackie, on a matter while they are working out of their Georgetown home.

Out for a Walk
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Out for a Walk

Jackie dresses in a black dress and pearls to take the couple's dog for a walk in Washington D.C.

A Day of Baseball
(Image credit: Bettmann)

A Day of Baseball

Senators Kennedy, Mike Mansfield of Montana, and Henry Jackson of Washington spend a weekend afternoon playing baseball together at a local park in D.C.

An Evening Commute
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

An Evening Commute

Jackie picks up her husband from his office after a long day of work.

Attending Political Events
(Image credit: Hank Walker)

Attending Political Events

The Kennedys mingle with fellow politicians at the opening of Congress in 1954.

Weekends at Home
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Weekends at Home

The newlyweds enjoys domestic life as JFK is seen reading in the yard while Jackie tends to their garden.

A Family Wedding
(Image credit: Bettmann)

A Family Wedding

Jackie attends the church service for the wedding of Patricia Kennedy and Peter Lawford with her in-laws in New York City.

Brother of the Bride
(Image credit: Bettmann)

Brother of the Bride

While Jackie sat in the front pew, JFK stood with the bride, his sister Patricia Kennedy, and his father before the ceremony.

Out and About
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Out and About

Jackie and JFK enjoy a stroll outside of the Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Running Errands
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Running Errands

Jackie dresses to impress as she takes the couple's dog to run errands, like stopping at their florist, in Georgetown.

Going on Meet the Press
(Image credit: NBC)

Going on Meet the Press

Jackie and Senator JFK appear on Meet the Press in February, 1954. It wasn't his first time on the program and wouldn't be his last either.

Getting Down to Business
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Getting Down to Business

The couple spend the evening intently studying in their office at their Georgetown home.

A Clever Pet
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

A Clever Pet

Jackie makes the couple's poodle, Gaulie–named after French President Charles De Gaulle–wait outside.

A Relaxed Gathering
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

A Relaxed Gathering

JFK and Jackie stroll through their Georgetown neighborhood with Robert and Ethel, as well as other friends.

An Impressive Throw
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

An Impressive Throw

JFK tosses the football to his younger brother, Bobby, in their neighborhood park.

Mingling in D.C.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Mingling in D.C.

The couple are joined by a colleague as they sit on a ledge at Capitol Hill. At this time, JFK was still working as a Junior Senator for Massachusetts.

Working at Home
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Working at Home

Jackie spends a quiet moment at home sorting through the couple's record collection.

Jackie Takes on D.C.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Jackie Takes on D.C.

A young Jackie is photographed in front of the Capitol building.

Stylish Sisters
(Image credit: Nick De Morgoli)

Stylish Sisters

The Bouvier sisters, Jackie and Caroline Lee Canfield, dress up for the Franco-American Ball at the Waldorf Astoria in 1954.

A Trip to the Store
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

A Trip to the Store

Jackie takes a trip to a neighborhood store to fit a painting for a frame.

Home From the Store
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Home From the Store

Jackie makes her way back to the couple's home with Gaulie and painting in hand after completing her errand.

An Evening Out
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

An Evening Out

Jackie is photographed engrossed in conversation at a Washington D.C. dinner party.

Smile for the Camera
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bonhams)

Smile for the Camera

Robert, Ethel, and JFK sit in the backyard of their Georgetown complex as Jackie readies the camera for a photograph.

Julia Shingler
Julia Shingler
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