In a heartbreaking turn of events, Rory Kennedy’s wedding to Mark Bailey in July 1999 was overshadowed by the tragic death of her cousin, John F. Kennedy Jr. The plane crash that claimed the lives of JFK Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette, and her sister Lauren Bessette occurred on July 16, the day before Rory’s planned nuptials.
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Rory, a documentary filmmaker and the youngest child of Ethel and Robert Kennedy, had meticulously prepared for her big day, which was set to take place on July 17 at her family’s compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Initially engaged to Bailey in 1998, Rory had invited around 275 guests for the ceremony, intending for it to remain relatively private despite the scale of its invitation list.
On the tragic day before the wedding, JFK Jr. was flying to the event when his aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean. Reports from the National Transportation Safety Board later indicated that pilot error was likely the cause of the crash. Initially, Carolyn had planned to skip the wedding due to personal difficulties within her marriage to JFK Jr. However, she ultimately decided to attend, and the couple had rearranged their travel plans to drop Lauren off at Martha’s Vineyard before continuing to the wedding.
After the news of the crash broke, Rory and the Kennedy family faced immeasurable grief. In a somber gathering beneath a tent that had been erected for the wedding, the family came together to pray and mourn their loss. Sadly, the bodies of JFK Jr., Carolyn, and Lauren were not recovered until several days later, as they were discovered on July 21, approximately seven miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, Rory and Mark made the decision to postpone their wedding, merely a day before they were due to exchange vows. In the wake of such tragedy, the wedding was no longer an occasion for celebration but rather a moment for reflection and mourning among family and friends.
After enduring the painful aftermath of the crash, Rory and Mark were able to hold their wedding celebrations again nearly two weeks later, opting for a small and intimate ceremony in Greece. The couple eventually exchanged vows in early August 1999 at a private estate owned by ship magnate Vardis Vardinoyiannis, situated in the northern suburb of Ekali outside Athens.
The ceremony was a stark contrast to the initially planned large celebration, with only close family members in attendance, including Rory’s mother, Ethel, and some family friends. The enchanting setting featured ambient lighting and the familiar tunes of Frank Sinatra spanning the estate grounds, creating a bittersweet atmosphere as they celebrated amidst the recent heartache.
Despite the traumatic incidents surrounding their wedding, Rory and Mark grew their family over the years. They have since welcomed three children, embodying a sense of resilience in the face of tragedy and a commitment to building a life together after such a devastating loss.
The aftermath of JFK Jr.’s untimely death continues to evoke memories of a family united in grief, yet it also represents moments of perseverance and love, especially for Rory and Mark as they carve out their journey as a family amidst the shadows of past events.