The couple frames the event as a heartfelt celebration of love and Rio culture, emphasizing family joy and the beauty of the city.
Insiders say Giulia Be essentially vetoed a Massachusetts wedding, forcing the Kennedy clan to fly to Brazil for a three-day party.
Wedding kicked off Oct. 8 in Rio; ceremony at Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé; RFK Jr. posted photos of Cheryl Hines dancing with samba dancers.
The Kennedy name carries weight, but Giulia Be’s Brazilian roots clearly carried the day in this high-profile union.
If you thought the Kennedy wedding playbook was set in stone, think again. Conor Kennedy, son of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., didn’t just tie the knot with Brazilian pop star Giulia Be; he surrendered to her vision of a sprawling, three-day celebration in Rio de Janeiro.
The festivities, which officially kicked off on October 8, were less of a traditional wedding and more of a cultural takeover, with the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue serving as the ultimate backdrop for a blessing that had the entire internet holding its breath. Let’s be real: Giulia Be, professionally known as Marinho, made it clear early on that she wasn’t having it in Massachusetts. She told Brazilian outlet Globo that this was "the only chance" to bring all of Kennedy’s friends and family to Brazil, adding a spicy quote about her then-fiancé: "My love, I love you, but I’m not getting married in Massachusetts." And she got her way.
The couple had already handled the legalities with a private civil ceremony in Los Angeles back in March, but the main event was all about showcasing Rio’s historic charm and vibrant energy to the Kennedy clan. The itinerary was packed with local flavor. Guests started with a welcome party in the hills of Alto da Boa Vista, followed by a day that included beach volleyball on Ipanema and a solemn blessing atop Corcovado Mountain.
The religious ceremony took place at the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé, a church with serious pedigree dating back to 1808 when it served as the royal chapel for the Portuguese court. The reception wrapped things up at the Instituto Brando Barbosa in Jardim Botânico, home to the famous botanical gardens. Vogue noted that Giulia’s Calvin Klein slip dress for the blessing channeled the understated elegance of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Conor’s late aunt by marriage—a subtle but sharp nod to the family’s fashion legacy.
While the couple focused on the romance, the family drama was strictly in the background, with RFK Jr. taking to Instagram to share the joy. His posts featured his wife, Cheryl Hines, cutting a rug with samba dancers and the newlyweds casually checking their phones for updates on the Seminoles-Cardinals game. Giulia commented on her new father-in-law’s post with a sweet "Love you, Bobby," noting how happy she was to see everyone enjoying her hometown. It’s a rare moment of Kennedy harmony, albeit with a tropical twist and a side of NFL updates.
