We’ve all dreamed of the perfect wedding. Just because your name isn’t Kate Middleton or Angelina Jolie, all women still have the right to have that perfect day and feel like a princess. It is precisely for this reason that we have selected these famous wedding dresses that have marked the last 60 years to show you.
Of course, when choosing and thinking about your future, your spouse undoubtedly is the most important decision, but that’s not the hard part! The decision that will cause you many a sleepless night, is choosing the perfect dress. The one that will make you shine, the one that makes you feel special, the one with which you’ll dance all night, but above all, the one that suits your style perfectly. The choice alone of style, cut, fabric and detail (or no detail as the case may be), is enough to have you pulling your hair out in pre-wedding stress. We’ve selected certain celebrity bridal gowns that will help you get some ideas for your perfect wedding dress.
It’s impossible not to mention Grace Kelly and her wedding to Prince Rainier III in 1956. A blend of refinement and elegance, her dress was made by costume designer Helen Rose, who worked for MGM studios. It took six weeks and more than 30 seamstresses to finish it. The result was truly breathtaking.
Even today, this dress still inspires designers as we saw with the Alexander McQueen wedding dress for Kate Middleton in 2011. The dress and Kate’s whole style is largely inspired by those of Grace Kelly: lace veil, tiara, even her bouquet. Maintaining that classic look yet bringing it 100% into modern day trends.
This moves us nicely onto probably the most iconic wedding dress of all time: Lady Diana’s gown for her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981. Unlike Grace Kelly, Princess Di’s dress relied on volume. Her gown, crafted beautifully by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was made from silk taffeta, lace and more than 10,000 pearls. This “wedding of the century” inspired many brides around the world and although it’s now seen as a little dated, it will no doubt, be remembered forever.
Did you say volume? That’s Steve Gentile’s middle name! His creation for Celine Dion’s wedding to to Rene Angelil in 1994 involved a 10 metre train and a pretty impressive crystal tiara. Canada can be proud to have found its own Princess Di!
In 1998, “Posh Spice” aka Victoria Adams, married footballer David Beckham in Vera Wang. A major turning point in the history of wedding dresses with Victoria paving the way for a new trend in bustier style gowns. With a keen eye for fashion trends it’s no surprise that she’s now a leading fashion designer herself.
The same year, model Cindy Crawford surprised everyone by marrying Rande Gerber in a white nightie by John Galliano, barefoot on the beach. It just goes to show that even supermodels like the simple things in life. When you’re that beautiful, who needs a fancy dress!
Two years later, the beautiful Catherine Zeta Jones revived the traditional bridal gown for her wedding to Michael Douglas. This classic style was also chosen by Claudia Schiffer, who actually looks incredibly like Grace Kelly in her wedding photos.
In 2006, singer Pink married in an ivory dress by Monique Lhuillier with a black sash and a stunning plunging neckline. The originality of this gown fits perfectly with the unique style of the singer herself.
In her 2011 wedding, Kate Moss opted for a more vintage style matching her beau Jamie Hince in his pastel blue tones just beautifully. The model delighted us in her dress by John Galliano for its freshness and simplicity.
The same year, South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock gave us a great example of simple elegance in her Giorgio Armani Privé gown with minimalist accents on her wedding to Prince Albert of Monaco. Some floral embroidery was enough for Charlene to fit her new profile as princess on her wedding day. It’s impossible not to compare Charlene to Grace Kelly given the family connection (Grace Kelly was Prince Albert’s mother). Two princesses with a completely different style and era yet both classic and timeless.
One that took us by surprise but we fell in love with instantly was the dress chosen by Jessica Biel for her 2012 wedding to the great Justin Timberlake (we just had to add that bit). A pink gown by Giambattista Valli. She’s not the only one that preferred this girly tone to the more traditional white: Gwen Stefani and Reese Witherspoon both opted for a hint of colour on their wedding days. Unconventional but stunning.
The three weddings that marked 2014 are obviously those of Brangelina, Kim and Kanye and George Clooney to Amal Alamuddin. The prize for originality for us still goes to Angelina Jolie for choosing to print drawings by her children onto her veil. Cute, adorable and super special!
What about Kim? Well, she didn’t want to wear another Vera Wang dress given her bad luck during her previous marriage which lasted all of… 72 days. To celebrate her marriage to Kanye, she chose a $500,000 Givenchy lace dress.
Ladies, I hate to remind you yet again that George Clooney, the eternal Hollywood bachelor and someone that you’d love to drink Nespresso coffee with, got married this year. Don’t be a hater, the fact remains that besides being naturally beautiful, Amal Alamuddin (aka Mrs Clooney… OK OK we’ll stop) looked absolutely stunning in her Oscar de la Renta bridal gown. On a positive note? Prince Harry is still up for grabs!
From this we can see that stars generally prefer dresses with a classic cut focusing on small details that make them extra special such as embroidery, lace, pearls or transparencies and a splash of colour. If you’re dreaming of a princess bridal gown, then bring it up to date by controlling the volume of your skirt and remember that “less is more.”
The secret to choosing your dream dress? Choose an outfit that suits you and represents your every day style but with a little something special!
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