Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich Marries Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in an Americana-Themed Wedding 'Centered on Family' (Exclusive)

The couple's wedding was set against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline

NEED TO KNOW

• Jacqui Heinrich and Brian Fitzpatrick married at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with a reception aboard a yacht in New York
• The couple honored their family heritages with meaningful tributes including an Irish tune and a cruise-themed reception
• Jacqui wore a custom Galia Lahav gown that transformed throughout the day for the ceremony, reception, and dancing

Jacqui Heinrich and Brian Fitzpatrick's wedding took a look at the couple's past in order to cement their future.

The Fox News Senior White House Correspondent, 37, and U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania Brian Fitzpatrick, 52, were married on Saturday, June 20 at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City in a ceremony that felt "timeless" and centered the couple's deep connection to family.

The two then celebrated their nuptials in a reception aboard the Horizon's Edge Yacht.

"New York is significant to both of our lives — it was Jacqui's first assignment as a network news reporter and Brian's first assignment as an FBI agent," the couple tells PEOPLE exclusively. "Brian's parents are both from New York where their own parents settled after immigrating from Ireland via Ellis Island."

"Likewise, Jacqui's great-grandparents immigrated to New York after arriving from Hungary. It's a place we often spend time, and it's conveniently equidistant between our families in Pennsylvania and New England," they continue.

It was important to Jacqui and Brian that their wedding reflected their families' heritages, and the two incorporated a few traditions throughout the day from people who've shaped their lives.

"A full Catholic mass was important to us, followed by a classic celebration where guests of all ages could have fun together," they share. "More than anything, we wanted the day to reflect the people and traditions that have shaped our lives."

"We included several meaningful family tributes throughout the wedding. Jacqui's parents were married aboard the Spirit of Boston, so having a reception on a cruise felt especially fitting," they continue. "We also chose an Irish tune written by Brian's great-uncle as our cake-cutting song. He was an NYPD officer who was killed in the line of duty, and it felt like a special way to honor his memory and Brian's family history."

Jacqui wore a corseted mermaid gown from Galia Lahav during the ceremony, which was officiated by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan. She says she loved the dress' "dramatic, old-Hollywood feel," which complemented the "classic Americana vibe" the couple envisioned for their wedding.

"Working alongside renowned seamstress Vera Skenderis, we customized the look with a lace high-neck bolero and a detachable overskirt, creating a gown that could evolve throughout the day," she explains. "The team at Bridal Reflections — Roslynn Fumara, Anthony Micari and Cristina DiMarco — were incredible collaborators and made the entire design process wonderful."

For the ceremony, Jacqui wore the full ensemble of the dress, including the mermaid gown, lace bolero, detachable overskirt and a cathedral-length veil. But for the reception, she removed the overskirt and veil, creating a sleeker silhouette. And then when dancing began, the high-neck bolero and sleeves came off to create a simple, strapless sweetheart look.

The bride walked down the aisle to "Trumpet Voluntary in D Major" by Jeremiah Clarke and exchanged traditional vows before heading to their "Sinatra-era Americana, old-New York" reception.

The party featured a 10-piece brass band that set the soundtrack for a nighttime cruise around the Statue of Liberty. Brian, Jacqui and their 302 guests were given the choice of either Atlantic salmon, French cut chicken breast, or black angus short ribs for their plated dinner.

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The couple had their first dance to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli before cutting their three-tiered red velvet cake with buttercream ruffles and rosettes. Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and former Senator Joe Manchin toasted the two into their next chapter.

Brian and Jacqui first met while working on Capitol Hill. Several months after Jacqui stopped covering the Congressional beat and started covering the White House, Brian asked her to be his guest to the Kennedy Center Honors — to which she asked if it was truly a date.

"Brian affirmed he was, in fact, asking me on a date — and was patient while I got permission from my bosses," remembers Jacqui. "He then waged a charm campaign to win me over with a series of progressively more thoughtful dates. It worked. He still denies being first to fall in love."

For the two, being married means being able to share every moment of their life together — both the good and the bad. They also share that they're excited to start a family together.

"We both work in fields that can be all-consuming, and it takes a certain kind of person to understand that level of commitment," they share. "One of the things we admire most in each other is our dedication to our work and our sense of purpose."

The couple added, "That mutual understanding helps us support one another through demanding seasons while maintaining a strong, grounded partnership outside of our careers."

The two are planning for a honeymoon in the summer of 2027, and are still nailing down plans to complete their engagement trip to the South of France after it was cut short due to Congressional votes. For now, they're looking forward to figuring out what married life looks like.

"Merging homes in separate states — TBD!" they say.