When two of America's most storied political dynasties collide under a wedding tent, people expect a spectacle. Honestly, the mariah kennedy cuomo wedding delivered exactly that, but with a surprising amount of personal heart that the tabloids usually miss. It wasn't just a merger of the Cuomo and Kennedy names. It was a massive, three-day celebration at the legendary Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port that felt more like a family reunion than a stiff political gala.
You've probably seen the photos of the eight-tier cake or the strapless dress, but the real story is in the details. Mariah and her longtime partner, Tellef Lundevall, didn't just throw a party. They staged a weekend that leaned heavily into tradition while trying—sometimes successfully, sometimes not—to keep the focus on their own relationship rather than their famous parents.
The Hyannis Port Ceremony: Tradition Meets Personal Style
The actual ceremony took place on Saturday, July 20, 2024. It was a waterfront affair, looking out over the Nantucket Sound. If you know anything about the Kennedys, you know Hyannis Port is basically their spiritual home. It's where JFK spent his summers. It’s where countless Kennedy weddings have happened before.
Mariah, who is the daughter of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Kerry Kennedy, walked down the aisle with her father. Andrew Cuomo looked visibly proud, a far cry from the embattled public image he’s held in recent years. Mariah wore a custom strapless Italian tulle gown by Vera Wang. It was elegant, classic, and exactly what you’d expect for a high-society wedding on the Cape.
But it wasn't just about the fashion. Mariah and Tellef wrote their own vows. Handwritten. Emotional. They spoke to a crowd of about 400 people, which included a "who's who" of New York and Massachusetts royalty.
A Chuppah Built on Heritage
One of the most unique parts of the mariah kennedy cuomo wedding was the chuppah. Tellef Lundevall is Norwegian Jewish, and the couple wanted to honor both of their backgrounds. They didn't just use a standard canopy. Instead, the chuppah was supported by four distinct wooden pillars, each representing a part of their lineage:
- Ireland: To honor the Kennedy family’s deep Irish roots.
- Italy: A nod to the Cuomo family and Mariah's grandmother, Matilda Cuomo.
- Norway: Representing Tellef's heritage.
- New York: A tribute to the state where they built much of their lives together.
It was a clever way to acknowledge the weight of their respective histories without letting one side overshadow the other.
The Guests: From Billy Joel to Political Icons
You can’t have a Kennedy-Cuomo wedding without a guest list that reads like a political directory.
- Matriarchs: Both Ethel Kennedy and Matilda Cuomo were there.
- Uncles and Aunts: Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo attended with his wife, Cristina. Maria Cuomo Cole and her husband, fashion designer Kenneth Cole, were also spotted.
- The Piano Man: Billy Joel, a close friend of Andrew Cuomo, actually sailed into the harbor on his boat, the Alexa, to join the party.
The reception featured a menu that felt very "New England summer." We’re talking herb-roasted Chatham cod, filet mignon, and lemon-chive linguine. It wasn't just a sit-down dinner, though. The night before, they had a rehearsal dinner with lobster by the water, preceded by a sailing race on Friday afternoon. This wasn't just a wedding; it was a full-blown production.
That 8-Tier Cake and the Famous Ladder
If there’s one image from the mariah kennedy cuomo wedding that went viral, it’s Mariah standing on a ladder to cut her cake.
This wasn't just for show. It was a direct tribute to her great-aunt, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who did the exact same thing at her wedding in 1953. Maria Shriver followed the tradition in 1986. The cake itself, created by Confectionery Designs, was a massive 8-tier masterpiece that took between 60 to 75 hours to build.
The flavors were as complex as the construction:
✨ Don't miss: Angelina Jersey Shore Net Worth: What She Actually Makes in 2026
- Lemon pound cake with raspberry cream filling.
- Chocolate pound cake with vanilla bean filling and fresh strawberries.
- A specific layer of lemon curd.
To top it off, they had a sterling silver bell engraved with their engagement date (they got engaged in Sicily in November 2023). They even had a second cake brought in from Norway to honor Tellef’s side of the family. Honestly, the logistics of getting a Norwegian cake to the Cape intact is a feat in itself.
Why This Wedding Still Matters
People love to talk about these families because they represent a specific era of American life. But for Mariah, 29, and Tellef, 33, this was also about moving forward. Tellef, a former Brown University football player, actually moved into the governor's mansion during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was famously referred to as "the boyfriend" during Andrew Cuomo’s daily televised briefings.
They’ve been through the ringer of public scrutiny together.
For the after-party, Mariah ditched the Vera Wang for a Clio Peppiatt minidress. It was a celestial-themed white version of the dress Taylor Swift famously wore for her birthday. It cost about $1,943, and it signaled a shift from the "Kennedy princess" vibe of the afternoon to a more modern, fun celebration.
Actionable Takeaways for Planning Your Own Legacy Wedding
Even if you don't have a compound in Hyannis Port or a direct line to Vera Wang, there are things to learn from how this event was handled.
Mix Tradition with Personal Symbols
Don't just do things because they're "tradition." The chuppah pillars at the mariah kennedy cuomo wedding worked because they actually meant something to the couple's specific story. If you're blending families, find a physical way to represent that merging.
The "Weekend Experience" is Trending
Multi-day weddings are becoming the standard for a reason. Having a casual event (like a sailing race or a simple BBQ) the day before allows guests to actually talk to each other so the wedding day itself feels less rushed.
Tributes Don't Have to Be Speeches
The ladder-and-cake moment was a silent tribute that spoke louder than any toast. If you have a family tradition—even a quirky one—embrace it. It creates a bridge between generations.
📖 Related: Does Elon Musk Smoke Weed? What Really Happened After the Joe Rogan Incident
Know When to Change the Vibe
The transition from a formal gown to a "celestial" minidress for the after-party is a great move. It signals to your guests that the "official" part is over and it's time to actually have a drink and dance.
The couple eventually headed off to Bora Bora for their honeymoon, leaving behind a weekend that managed to be both a massive media event and a deeply personal family milestone. It’s a tough balance to strike, but by leaning into their history instead of running from it, they made it look kinda easy.