The Actual Story Behind JFK Jr. And Carolyn Bessette's Secret Marriage ceremony

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette tied the knot on Sept. 21, 1996, and managed to maintain it out of the press till days later. The ceremony befell on Cumberland Island within the First African Baptist Church, a small one-room church that was based in 1893. The Kennedys purchased out the Greyfield Inn for the weekend; it was the place they held the reception and the place their friends stayed. Greyfield Inn, the four-star, all-inclusive lodge, continues to be in operation. It is nonetheless the one lodge on Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia, and was first constructed as a non-public residence for the Carnegie household. The distant location performed an enormous position in protecting the marriage beneath wraps. Cumberland Island is simply 18 miles lengthy, the one method on or off the island is by boat, and it is largely undeveloped and guarded by the Nationwide Park Service.

And neglect save the dates — friends not concerned within the planning solely discovered they have been invited to an occasion on the island 5 days earlier than it occurred, per The New York Instances. They did not even comprehend it was for the marriage till they arrived. The visitor checklist was narrowed down partially by not inviting any mates or household whom Kennedy Jr. and Bessette weren’t 100% certain could possibly be trusted with this secret, through InStyle. These friends who did make the minimize got Buffalo nickels to hold with them to indicate safety.