Before there was Will and Kate and Harry and Meghan, there was John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. After all, the Kennedys are practically American royalty, and JFK Jr., the only son of JFK and Jackie, was our version of a crown prince. A dashing and handsome heir, JFK Jr. dated some of the most beautiful women in New York, and celebrities including Daryl Hannah, Madonna, and Sarah Jessica Parker. But it was Carolyn Bessette, a stylish blonde publicist who worked for Calvin Klein who ultimately stole his heart and became his wife.
A few years after meeting, the couple tied the knot in a small, 40-person ceremony on the tiny island of Cumberland off the coast of Georgia. The details of the discrete, understated nuptials were kept a secret from the press, and the public really only got a glimpse of their wedding through one—now iconic—photo that was taken by the family’s go-to photographer Denis Reggie. In the picture, Carolyn is in a stunning silk bias cut Narciso Rodriguez bridal dress. Not only did her minimalist dress help launch Narciso Rodriguez’s career, Carolyn Bessette remains an iconic source of inspiration for countless brides who still consider her the ultimate fashion icon—ourselves included. Below, we share how to shop Carolyn Bessette’s timeless bridal look.
