A Kennedy family heir marries singer Giulia Be: Inside their wedding celebrations

Three days of festivities in Rio de Janeiro

American lawyer Conor Kennedy, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and grandnephew of the 35th US president, John F. Kennedy, has married Brazilian singer Giulia Be. The couple celebrated their wedding over three days in Rio de Janeiro.

The newlyweds chose to host the celebrations in the bride’s home country. Giulia wanted to introduce Conor’s family and friends to Brazil and show them some of the most picturesque corners of her hometown. More than 200 guests attended the festivities, including members of the Kennedy family and Brazilian celebrities.

The celebrations began on 8 October with a party for the couple’s closest friends and family. The renowned samba school Unidos de Vila Isabel gave a special performance for the guests. The following day, the newlyweds organised a beach volleyball tournament in Ipanema. This activity held particular significance, as the Kennedy family has a tradition of incorporating sporting competitions into wedding festivities.

That same day, Conor and Giulia received a blessing at a chapel near the Christ the Redeemer statue. The site offers breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro. The moment was especially meaningful to the singer, who wanted her American guests to experience one of Brazil’s most iconic landmarks.

The main wedding ceremony took place on 10 October at the historic Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé church.

Following the ceremony, the couple invited their guests to a celebratory lunch and party at the Instituto Brando Barbosa estate in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood. The festivities included dancing, a photo booth and even tarot card readings.

Giulia prepared several looks for the occasion. For the pre-wedding party, she wore a dress with a cape by Spanish label YolanCris. The embroidery featured personal symbols associated with the couple, including their matching tattoo and the Leo zodiac sign. Another look for the same event was created by Brazilian label PatBo.

For the blessing ceremony near Christ the Redeemer, the bride opted for a white Calvin Klein dress. Its minimalist silhouette, open back, long sheer gloves and silk cape evoked the aesthetic of the 1990s. The look also served as a direct tribute to the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. She once worked at Calvin Klein and became known for her refined, understated wardrobe.

For the wedding ceremony itself, Giulia chose a gown by British designer Harris Reed. It took eight months to create. The design combined silk, lace, a high neckline and long sleeves, finished with a long veil and a cape. After the formal ceremony, the bride changed into another design by the same designer, accessorising it with pieces from Tiffany & Co.’s high jewellery archives.

The groom opted for suits by Brazilian tailor Vasco Vasconcellos, who has long worked with Giulia’s father.

The couple’s story began in 2021, when Conor’s sister, Kyra, introduced them. At the time, Giulia was in Brazil filming the Netflix movie «Beyond the Universe», while Conor was studying in the United States. They spent five to six months exchanging messages on WhatsApp, later even describing their conversations as love letters. The couple finally met in person in California in 2022.

In August 2024, Conor proposed to Giulia at their home in Los Angeles. He decorated the room with candles and played Elton John’s «Your Song». The bride revealed that she said yes before her partner had even finished asking the question.

In March 2026, the couple had already officially married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles. The October celebrations in Brazil gave them the opportunity to bring together their extended family and friends.

For the newlyweds, the occasion was about more than simply celebrating their marriage. They also wanted to introduce their families to the cultures of their respective countries. That idea became the central theme of their three-day celebration in Rio de Janeiro.

Photos: Instagram @giulia, @jconorkennedy, @vogueweddings, @alebigliazzi, @rodrigosackfotografia, @fiducia.ae