Inside the 9 Most Glamorous White House Weddings Ever
Wedding of Patrick Nugent and Luci Baines Johnson, 1966. Photo by unknown White House photographer, courtesy of the United States Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs division. Public domain.
The White House has not only been the backdrop for significant political events but also for some of America's most memorable love stories. Over the years, many weddings have taken place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, featuring first daughters, presidential relatives, and close friends of the first family. Here's a look at these iconic ceremonies that have captured the public's attention and woven romance into the history of the presidential residence.
1. Maria Hester Monroe and Samuel Gouverneur (1820)
On March 9, 1820, Maria Hester Monroe, the daughter of President James Monroe, became the first presidential child to marry at the White House. Her wedding to Samuel Gouverneur was an elegant 42-person event, held in the Blue Room.
2. John Adams II and Mary Catherine Hellen (1828)
John Adams II, the son of President John Quincy Adams, was the first presidential son to tie the knot at the White House.
John Adams II, unknown artist, circa 1820. Public domain.
He married Mary Catherine Hellen on Feb. 25, 1828, in a ceremony held in the Blue Room.
3. Nellie Grant and Algernon Sartoris (1874)
President Ulysses S. Grant's daughter, Nellie, married Algernon Sartoris on May 21, 1874. Held in the East Room, this lavish wedding, with 250 guests and floral decorations, was the most glamorous of its time.
4. Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom (1886)
President Grover Cleveland holds the distinction of being the only president to get married at the White House. He wed Frances Folsom on June 2, 1886, in an intimate ceremony in the Blue Room, surrounded by 50 guests.
5. Alice Lee Roosevelt and Nicholas Longworth (1906)
Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice, was known as a fashion icon and "American Princess." She had one of the most extravagant weddings in White House history. On Feb. 17, 1906, nearly 1,000 guests filled the East Room for a grand celebration that captivated the nation.
6. Luci Baines Johnson and Patrick Nugent (1966)
On Aug. 6, 1966, Luci Baines Johnson, the younger daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, married Patrick Nugent at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Although the ceremony technically took place off-site, the couple held their reception at the White House later that evening. The event marked a joyful celebration, blending family tradition with national attention. The reception, hosted by President Johnson and First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson, continued the long-standing custom of the White House being used for first family milestones.
7. Lynda Bird Johnson and Charles Robb (1967)
Lynda Bird Johnson, the elder daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, married Charles Robb in the East Room on Dec. 9, 1967. The reception that followed was filled with dancing and Champagne for the 500 guests in attendance.
8. Tricia Nixon and Edward Finch Cox (1971)
Tricia Nixon made history by being the first bride to marry in the Rose Garden. On June 12, 1971, the daughter of President Richard Nixon exchanged vows with Edward Finch Cox beneath a gazebo draped in white roses. The ceremony was televised, with 110 million Americans watching from home.
9. Naomi Biden and Peter Neal (2022)
This White House wedding took place on Nov. 19, 2022. Naomi Biden, granddaughter of President Joe Biden, married Peter Neal in the first-ever wedding held on the South Lawn. The ceremony featured 250 guests, including the president himself, and was the first time a sitting president's granddaughter married at the White House.
White House weddings have seamlessly blended personal joy with national intrigue, marking key moments in American history while showcasing the intimate side of the first family.
References: White House Weddings | 19 White House Weddings Throughout History
