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The next day, the moment of truth arrived. The drive from Greyfield to the small clapboard chapel takes 45 minutes along narrow, rutted roads. Its altar is a simple wooden stand, and its cross consists of two sticks held together by string. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' longtime butler, Efigenio Pinhiero, decorated the little church with Cumberland's wildflowers and vines. According to Bill Carroll of the National Park Service, he and about 10 others, including local deputies from the mainland and private security guards, formed a loose ring around the church to provide security. The guests began arriving in the early evening, and the ceremony started at about 7:30.
Bessette walked down the aisle, wearing a fluid, bias-cut dress of pearl-white crepe. A panel floated from the waist in the back, in a suggestion of a train. She wore a veil of silk tulle, and her crystal-beaded satin sandals were from Manolo Blahnik, designer of pricey, fashionable shoes. In her hands, covered by long white gloves, she carried a small bouquet of lilies of the valley. The groom wore a dark blue single-breasted suit, designed by Gordon Henderson, with a white pique vest and pale blue silk tie. His boutonniere was made of cornflowers, the favorite flower of his father, and he wore his father's watch.
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the matron of honor, walked ahead of Carolyn. Caroline's two daughters, Tatiana and Rose, were flower girls and her son Jack, 3, was the ring bearer. "Why is Carolyn dressed like that?" Jack asked, creating a ripple of laughter. Anthony Radziwill, the son of Jackie's sister Lee, served as best man. The vows were the standard Roman Catholic liturgy. Kennedy and Bessette had received permission from a bishop to hold a Catholic ceremony in a Protestant church. The deacon was a Jesuit from the church in New York City where Jackie was baptized, confirmed and mourned. Caroline's husband Edwin Schlossberg, Bessette's sister Lisa and her husband, Senator Kennedy and William Kennedy Smith (John stood by Smith during his rape trial) all read Scripture. Others attending included Victoria Reggie, the Senator's wife, and Maurice Tempelsman, Jackie's companion for many years. David Davis, a gospel singer from a nearby town in Florida, sang Amazing Grace and Will the Circle Be Unbroken a cappella.
Denis Reggie, Senator Kennedy's brother-in-law, played the Lord Snowdon role of official photographer. With the ceremony completed, the couple returned down the aisle together, and Reggie took the now famous picture of them descending the chapel's simple wooden steps, John kissing the hand of his beaming bride. They walked over to a nearby fence, and Bessette stood next to Kennedy with her arms around him. Then she felt a tug on her bouquet. A wild horse had stretched its neck over the fence and was nibbling the flowers.
The party drove back to Greyfield to dine on shrimp, artichokes, grilled swordfish and lemon-raspberry ice cream. More details were not forthcoming since the staff had all signed confidentiality agreements. But it is known that Senator Kennedy gave a toast more poignant than the one the previous evening. He invoked the names of John's parents and said how proud they would have been; once again many of those present were brought to tears.