A Look Back at Caroline Kennedy's Cape Cod Wedding

Thirty-one years ago today, Caroline Kennedy married Edwin A. Schlossberg

America may not have a royal family, but it does have dynasties—and few are more famous than the Kennedys. Needless to say, whenever one of the family's prominent members makes a move—especially one as noteworthy as getting married—we all watch. So when Caroline Kennedy announced her wedding to Edwin A. Schlossberg in the '80s, there was plenty of excitement for the nuptials.

The only daughter of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy got married on Cape Cod on July 19, 1986, in an intimate Catholic ceremony, surrounded by family and friends—including her brother, John F. Kennedy Jr., her uncle Ted Kennedy, and of course, her mother.

The couple managed to keep the event fairly quiet (a surprise given the public's curiosity), but we've found some of the most memorable photos from the day.

The walk down the aisle

In her father's absence, his brother, Ted Kennedy, stepped in to walk Caroline down the aisle of the flower-filled Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in Centerville on Cape Cod.

Shh!

The bride and her uncle had to shush the photographers before walking down the aisle.

The dress

Caroline wore a white white silk organza gown with a rounded neckline and short, puffy sleeves designed by Carolina Hererra—one of her mother's favorite dressmakers—for the marriage ceremony.

The veil

Can we take a moment for the veil? In true '80s fashion (think Princess Diana's wedding), a lengthy veil was a must.

The mother of the bride

Jackie chose a pale green outfit, accessorized with long gloves and flower earrings, for her daughter's wedding day.

Happy tears

Jackie is seen getting emotional while standing beside Ted following the ceremony.

A shoulder to lean on

The mother of the bride was understandably teary-eyed after seeing her only daughter wed.

The bridesmaids

Caroline had seven bridesmaids in total, a group, which included several Kennedy family members, including Courtney Kennedy Ruhe and Sydney Lawford McKelvy. Her cousin Maria Shriver served as her matron of honor.

The best man

Here, Matron of Honor Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger is pictured laughing with the groom's best man, Caroline's brother, John F. Kennedy Jr.

Greeting the onlookers

Having spent her whole life in the public eye, Caroline had no problem waving to the press after tying the knot.

The couple

Not many details are known about the marriage ceremony, as the press was kept out of the church. In fact, according to The New York Times wedding announcement, guests were sworn to secrecy.

How they met

The newlyweds met while working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

A first kiss

While the public didn't get a peek at their actual first kiss, the couple happily obliged the crowd with a sweet smooch on the church steps, with Maria Shriver and John F. Kennedy Jr. sweetly looking on in the background.

The limo

You can see the small crowd of guests outside the Cape Cod church, gathered behind the bride and groom's stretch limousine.

The reception

After the ceremony, guests made their way to the Kennedy compound. The bride's grandmother, Rose Kennedy, hosted the reception, and according to The New York Times, the dinner menu included: "cold pea soup with mint, shrimp and apples, vegetable vinaigrette, roast chicken with rice, cold sirloin of beef, salad, raspberries and a four-tiered yellow wedding cake with chocolate filling and white icing. The cake was to be served with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream."

The band

Dinner was reportedly followed by celebrations and dancing set to music by a band called the Supreme Court.

One more look at the couple

Caroline and Edwin have been married for more than three decades and share three children together: John, Rose, and Tatiana Schlossberg.

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