From designer wedding dresses to over-the-top décor and top-secret locations, celebrities know how to get married right. And while VIP ceremonies can be a little out of reach for most brides planning their big day, a famous gown from the past can provide an important reference point while shopping for that perfect dress.
So, to stir up some serious nostalgia and provide you with the best style inspiration, we went back decades to bring you the best celebrity wedding dresses of all time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy these incredible bridal fashions from the past century.
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Naomi Biden in Ralph Lauren
Naomi Biden married Peter Nealon November 19, 2022, on the White House's South Lawn. The bride wore a stunning long-sleeve ensemble by Ralph Lauren that featured a high neckline and an intricately designed lace body overlay. The timeless A-line silhouette was further accentuated and accessorized with a cathedral-length veil, andTiffany & Co.diamond and pearl drop earrings.
Issa Rae in Vera Wang
On July 25, 2021, Issa Raemarried Louis Diame in a private ceremony in the South of France. So private, in fact, that the star was able to surprise fans on Instagram with the news of her nuptials. For her ceremony, the Insecure star and creator wore an ivory Vera Wang strapless, beaded ball gown that featured a sweetheart neckline and a chapel-length Chantilly lace veil. She then switched into an A-line, V-neck Italian silk gown with a playful tulle skirt—another customVera Wangdesign—for the reception.
Paris Hilton in Oscar de la Renta
Paris Hilton and Carter Reum tied the knot on November 11, 2021, at the former Bel Air estate of her late grandfather Barron Hilton. For her star-studded event, she opted for an exquisite Oscar de la Renta gown that featured a high neckline and long sleeves, all carefully embroidered with pressed flower thread work.
Princess Beatrice in Norman Hartnell
Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in an intimate, flower-filled ceremony on July 7, 2020, at the Royal Chapel of All Saintsat Royal Lodge in Windsor. In a heartwarming tribute to her grandmother (Queen Elizabeth), Princess Beatrice wore a vintage, organza Norman Hartnell gown that the Queen originally wore in the '60s. In fact, Norman Hartnell designed both Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret's respective wedding dresses. The bride completed her ensemble with the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara, which the Queen also wore as part of her own bridal look in 1947.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba in Vera Wang
Sabrina Dhowre Elba brought all the romance on her special day by donning three dreamy dresses. The model and actress wed Idris Elba on April 16, 2019, at the Ksar Char Bagh hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco. She made sure to channel her inner glam with her custom off-the-shoulder Vera Wang ball gown, which she paired with an aisle-skimming veil and intricate diamond earrings.
Sophie Turner in Louis Vuitton
After first eloping in true Vegas style, Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas's nuptial ceremony and celebration took place on July 3, 2019, in an ultra-elegant 18th-century château in the South of France. The bride wore a long-sleeved, Louis Vuitton bridal dream with a plunging neckline and allover embroidery embellishments that took over 350 hours to make. The look was completed with a matching veil boasting similar floral embroidery.
Hailey Bieber in Virgil Abloh
Hailey Baldwin tapped Virgil Abloh and Off-White to design a custom gown for her September 30, 2019 nuptials to Justin Beiber. The details, including a lace tulle veil and allover pearl embellishment, are what make this dress special. Though the dress featured modern elements like a corset bodice, long sleeves, and an off-the-shoulder silhouette, what truly made the ensemble stand out was the drama-inducing train embroidered with "Till Death Do Us Part."
Meghan Markle in Givenchy
For her televised wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Meghan Markle opted for a minimal wedding dress designed by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller. An open bateau neckline graced the three-quarter sleeve gown, while a long train made for a dramatic display. She accessorized her floral embroidered veil with an elegant Queen Mary Filigree tiara.
Chiara Ferragni in Dior
Chiara Ferragni married Federico Leonardo Lucia, aka the musician Fedez, on September 1, 2018, in Noto, Italy. The unbelievably romantic, floral-filled fête was punctuated by the bride's three custom Dior bridal ensembles. Ferragni's timeless ceremony gown, a Dior Haute Couture design by Maria Grazia Chiuri, featured an intricate lace bodice, demure mock neckline, long sleeves, and a generous tulle overskirt that disguised a romper underneath.
Princess Eugenie in Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos
In a lavish ceremony fit for a princess, Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on October 12, 2018. She chose Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos to design her long-sleeve gown, which she accessorized with a regal tiara. She skipped a veil to show off the low back of her dress—and more notably, her scoliosis surgery scar.
Mandy Moore in Rodarte
For her November 18, 2018 nuptials,Mandy Mooredazzled in a pretty-in-pink gown designed by Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Equal parts ethereal and feminine, the frilly high-neckline dress steered clear of tradition and featured layers of dotted tulle and floral appliques that characterized the floor-length gown. The starlet wore a matching tulle veil and carried a bouquet of romantic blooms to set the tone for her entire bridal look.
Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren
Priyanka Chopra stunned in a bespoke Ralph Lauren creation for the Western portion of her wedding to Nick Jonas. The pair tied the knot on December 1, 2018, in India at Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace. With a high neckline and scalloped sleeves, her hand-embroidered lace gown was adorned with 2,380,000 mother-of-pearl sequins. For her grand exit, it was her 75-foot veil that stole the show.
Pippa Middleton in Giles Deacon
On May 20, 2017, Pippa Middleton tied the knot to James Matthews at St. Mark's Englefield. For the occasion, she enlisted British fashion designer Giles Deacon to create her all-over lace gown featuring a high Victorian neckline and elegant cap sleeves. To complete her look, she accessorized with a custom-made tiara by Robinson Pelham and a tulle and pearl-embroidered veil.
Emmy Rossum in Carolina Herrera
Emmy Rossum's Memorial Day weekend wedding took place at the East 55th Street Conservative Synagogue in New York City on May 28, 2017. For her walk down the aisle, she donned a breathtaking off-the-shoulder gown designed by Carolina Herrera. Additional details included a floor-sweeping train and a long tulle veil.
Serena Williams in Alexander McQueen
For her New Orleans nuptials, which took place on November 16, 2017, Serena Williams served up the quintessential bridal look in a custom Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton. The frothy ball gown silhouette was elevated by a regal cape and jewelry worth a whopping $3.5 million.
Ciara in Roberto Cavalli
Ciara wed Russell Wilson before the regal backdrop of Cheshire, England's Peckforton Castle on July 6, 2016. The bride channeled pure bridal romance in a stunning Roberto Cavalli dress elevated by bohemian, lace bell sleeves. What's more, in addition to a corseted front, the couple's initials were embroidered on the backside of the lace dress. Talk about 360 degrees of perfection.
Nicky Hilton in Valentino
Nicky Hilton married James Rothschild in a lavish ceremony at Kensington Palace on July 10, 2015. Her custom lace-embroidered Valentino gown featured a high neckline and long sleeves, in addition to three shades of ivory and silver guipure embellished with subtle crystals. We're also still not over her royal-approved cathedral-length veil (clocking in at 10 feet!) that wowed from every angle.
Bar Refaeli in Chloé
On September 24, 2015, Sports Illustratedmodel Bar Refaeli married Adi Ezra in a bohemian Chloé gown by Clare Waight Keller. The custom design included a lace-embellished, silk crepe skirt (can you say tassels aplenty?) that required more than 150 hours of work. She paired her sun-kissed glow with loose, beach waves for an effortless vibe.
Sofia Vergara in Zuhair Murad
On November 22, 2015, Sofia Vergara tied the knot to Joe Manganiello at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Staying true to her red-carpet style, the actress donned a curve-enhancing strapless gown by Zuhair Murad. Far from boring, the floor-sweeping dress was decked out in ornate embroidery and elevated by a cascading train that could be admired up close and from afar.
Poppy Delevingne in Chanel
For their May 16, 2014, nuptials, Poppy Delevingne and James Cook tied the knot at London's St. Paul's Church. For the affair, Delevingne wore an embellished Chanel gown by Karl Lagerfeld. Equal parts bohemian and glamorous, the bespoke gown included a beaded tunic overlay and delicate flower embellishments. She opted for natural waves and tapped Charlotte Tilbury for her wedding-day makeup.
Kim Kardashian in Givenchy
By now, we've all heard about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's epic flower wall, but what about the other details from the day? The influencing couple got married on May 24, 2014, in Florence, Italy, where Kim donned a couture Givenchy gown that stole the show. With long lace sleeves, a mermaid silhouette, and illusion cut-outs at the waist (not to mention a cathedral-length veil), her wedding day look couldn't have been more fabulous.
Olivia Palermo in Carolina Herrera
On June 29, 2014, Olivia Palermo married Johannes Huebl in the countryside of Bedford, New York. Projecting a look of understated elegance, Palermo tapped Carolina Herrera to design her bridal ensemble consisting of a cashmere sweater and white shorts with a tulle overlay. For her "something blue," she opted for royal blue Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps (á la Carrie Bradshaw). Her clean and fresh makeup was accompanied by an effortless ponytail.
Gabrielle Union in Dennis Basso
Gabrielle Union said "yes" to not one but two star-studded wedding gowns. For her August 30, 2014, nuptials, she slipped into a strapless Dennis Basso number that featured a high-slit, custom bodice and corset, and hand-beaded pearls and crystals for a hint of understated glamour. In a swift wardrobe change, Union later donned another strapless silhouette characterized by a full skirt and ruched details.
Ashlee Simpson in Houghton Bridal
Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross's wedding ceremony was nothing less than spectacular. The duo wed on September 3, 2014, at the estate of Diana Ross (the groom's mother) in Greenwich, Connecticut. To match their bohemian wedding theme, Simpson selected a contemporary two-piece, lace co-ord from Houghton Bridal. She paired a long-sleeved lace crop top (layered over a Chantilly lace bralette) with a high-low hemline skirt and a dreamy silk tulle veil.
Keira Knightley in Chanel
Keira Knightley married James Righton on May 4, 2013, in a low-key ceremony in the South of France. The trendsetting bride turned heads in a gray knee-length bustier dress from Chanel's Couture Spring/Summer 2006 collection. Knightley topped off her look with a white tweed jacket, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, and pink and gray two-tone ballet flats. In place of a traditional veil, she wore a sweet floral garland for a bohemian touch.
Chrissy Teigen in Vera Wang
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend tied the knot in a destination wedding set in Lake Como, Italy, on September 14, 2013. With gorgeous blush-toned blooms and the romantic Villa Pizzo as the backdrop for their "I dos," Teigen channeled her inner princess with not one, but three Vera Wang gowns. For the actual ceremony, she opted for a drama-inducing strapless ivory dress featuring a risqué sweetheart neckline and frothy layers of tulle.
Hilaria Thomas in Amsale
Hilaria Thomas, aka Mrs. Alec Baldwin, tied the knot on June 30, 2012, at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in New York City. The bride absolutely stunned in a timeless gown from Amsale's Spring 2013 collection, which she accessorized with a Spanish veil and white-diamond drop earrings. The sleeveless gown, featuring cap sleeves and a keyhole back, complemented the couple's low-key nuptials.
Anne Hathaway in Valentino
On September 29, 2012, Anne Hathaway married Adam Shulman in an intimate sunset ceremony in Big Sur, California. The bride teamed up with designer Valentino Garavani to design a pink-tinted, off-the-shoulder gown that was covered in lace and embroidery. Hathaway commanded attention in a vintage-inspired headpiece and full-length veil.
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Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen
For her royal wedding to Prince William, on April 29, 2011, in Westminster Abbey, Kate Middleton tapped Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen to design her bridal gown. Middleton's iconic look featured a modest V-neckline, sheer lace sleeves, and a traditional lace veil. Of course, we can't forget her nearly nine-foot-long train that still has everyone talking all these years later.
Lily Aldridge in Vera Wang
Lily Aldridge wed Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill on May 12, 2011, at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California. The gorgeous model made her bridal debut in a refreshingly simple strapless gown by Vera Wang. With Chantilly lace along the hem and train, the dress channeled pure elegance.
Vanessa Minnillo in Monique Lhuillier
Vanessa Minnillo married Nick Lachey on July 15, 2011, in a televised wedding special, Nick & Vanessa's Dream Wedding. The bride kept things super sweet for her Necker Island nuptials and wore a two-piece Monique Lhuillier ball gown, which featured a beaded lace corset and silk faille skirt. Her bridal accessories included a floor-length tulle veil and Swarovski-embellished Christian Louboutin slingbacks.
Coco Rocha in Zac Posen
Canadian model Coco Rocha channeled pure glamour in an unbelievably gorgeous Zac Posen gown. She tied the knot to James Conran on June 9, 2010, in an intimate ceremony at a château in France. The poofy design included an epic mermaid skirt and no shortage of drama.
Chelsea Clinton in Vera Wang
Chelsea Clinton married Marc Mezvinsky in a custom-made Vera Wang gown at an estate in Rhinebeck, New York, on July 31, 2010. The bride's strapless silk organza wedding dress was accentuated by a draped tulle bodice and embellished crystal sash. As if that wasn't enough to leave guests oohing and ahhing, she completed her bridal look with a bouquet of monochromatic ivory blooms and a cathedral-length veil.
Salma Hayek in Balenciaga
Salma Hayek married French billionaire François-Henri Pinault on February 14, 2009. For their civil ceremony set at Venice's La Fenice opera house, the bride slipped into an opulent Balenciaga gown designed by Nicolas Ghesquière. The full-skirted design was offset by an embroidered, deep V-neck bodice. She gathered her hair into a simple bun and let her long veil have its moment.
Katie Holmes in Giorgio Armani
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise tied the knot on November 18, 2006, in a Scientologist ceremony at Odescalchi Castle in Italy. The bride slipped into an off-the-shoulder lace dress embellished with Swarovski crystals by Giorgio Armani. Conveying Holmes's energy, Armani set out to design a dress that was both modern and sweet.Her 400-foot-long crinoline and tulle veil was the pièce de résistance.
Victoria Beckham in Vera Wang
Victoria Beckham (neé Adams) wed David Beckham on July 4, 1999, at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland. Victoria wore a silk, pleated ball gown with a sculpted bodice and a 20-foot train, designed by Vera Wang, and finished the look with an 18k-gold crown. The groom wore a matching white suit.For the reception, the newlyweds changed into matching purple ensembles and cut their cake with a sword.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Morgane Le Fay
Sarah Jessica Parker married Matthew Broderick on May 19, 1997, at the Angel Orensanz Synagogue in New York City. Parker wore a black, off-the-rack ruffled Morgane Le Fay wedding dress, which she purchased distinctly so her nuptials wouldn't draw too much attention. In an ironic turn of events, the sartorial choice is still talked about to this day!
Jada Pinkett in Badgley Mischka
Jada Pinkett married Will Smith on December 31, 1997, at The Cloisters, located near her hometown of Baltimore. For her secret New Year's Eve nuptials, Pinkett wore a Badgley Mischka design featuring a high neck, long sleeves, and champagne-colored velvet. The groom wore a coordinating suit by the same design house.
Mariah Carey in Vera Wang
Mariah Carey married record producer Tommy Mottola on June 5, 1993, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Carey's regal wedding dress, designed by Vera Wang, was inspired by none other than Princess Diana herself. The ivory creation included a 27-foot train that was complemented by a sparkly tiara and a 10-foot veil.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama (née) Robinson married Barack Obama at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago on October 3, 1992. The future first lady’s classically styled dress featured an exaggerated portrait neckline and thick embroidery on the bodice. Always on-trend (even in the early '90s), the bride accessorized with a poofy veil and pearl earrings.
Lady Diana Spencer in David and Elizabeth Emanuel
Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. Princess Di's breathtaking antique lace wedding gown was designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel. The iconic royal number was made of ivory silk taffeta, hand embroidery, frilly lace, sequins, and pearls. Not to be outdone, it was her 25-foot train and 153-yard tulle veil that nearly stole the show.
Hillary Rodham Clinton in Jessica McClintock
Hillary Rodham Clinton wed Bill Clinton on October 11, 1975, in a small at-home ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The future Secretary of State's dress was an off-the-rack Jessica McClintock Victorian lace gown, which was purchased on the eve before the wedding by Rodham's mother.
Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono married John Lennon on March 20, 1969, at the Office of the British Consulate in Gibraltar. Ono's two-piece ensemble consisted of a white mini skirt and a white elbow-length top, white knee socks and tennis shoes, and a floppy sunhat. Lennon wore matching white as shown in these beach snapshots.
Priscilla Presley
The king married his queen when King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley wed Priscilla Presley (neé Beaulieu) on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas. Priscilla's dress was off-the-rack and featured long lace sleeves with pearl embellishments, and a generous silhouette that may have been hiding a growing baby bump. She topped it off with a three-foot tulle veil and rhinestone tiara.
Mia Farrow
Actress Mia Farrow married legendary singer Frank Sinatra on July 19, 1966, in Las Vegas.Farrow's two-piece, white suit consisting of a short-cut skirt and double-breasted coat, and reflected the mod look of the 1960s. Farrow completed her bridal look with a single bracelet and short pixie-styled hair.
Elizabeth Taylor in Irene Sharaff
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, both actors who appeared together in the 1963 film Cleopatra, married in Montreal on March 15, 1964. Irene Sharaff, the costume designer from Cleopatra, created Taylor's wedding dress. The canary yellow, chiffon babydoll dress was accessorized with a diamond and emerald Bulgari brooch, a floral headpiece, and a sweet yellow bouquet.
Brigitte Bardot in Jacques Esterel
For her second marriage, French actress Brigitte Bardot married actor Jacques Charrier in Louveciennes, France, on June 18, 1959. She walked down the aisle in a distinctive pink gingham mini dress designed by Jacques Esterel. The youthful shirtwaist dress featured a white lace trim and buttons down the front.
Julie Andrews in Tony Walton
Julie Andrews married Tony Walton at St. Mary Oatlands Church in Weybridge, England, on May 10, 1959.A costume designer by trade, Walton created the wedding dress himself, which featured a sheer overlay, a tea-length hemline, and an elegant lace appliqué hem.
Grace Kelly in Helen Rose
Hollywood actress Grace Kelly wed Monaco's Prince Rainier III at the St. Nicholas Cathedral on April 19, 1955.Princess Grace's dress was adorned with thousands of hand-sewn pearls and featured a high neckline and a three-foot-long train.The dress was designed by Helen Rose, an Academy Award–winning American costume designer who worked with Princess Grace at MGM Studios. For the final touch, she added a pearl-and-lace-embellished Juliet cap to keep her veil in place.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe married New York Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco City Hall on January 14, 1954.Marilyn's second wedding was actually an elopement, so her dress was a bit more demure.She wed the Yankee Clipper wearing a dark brown suit with a white fur collar.
Audrey Hepburn in Pierre Balmain
Audrey Hepburn married American actor Mel Ferrer on September 25, 1954, in Switzerland. Designed by Pierre Balmain, her tea-length dress featured a satin sash and ballgown sleeves, which Miss Hepburn paired with elbow-length gloves. The modest high-neck gown was a fitting choice for the actress, as it captured her innocence and sophisticated style.
Jacqueline Bouvier in Ann Lowe
Jacqueline Bouvier married John F. Kennedy in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island, on September 12, 1953.The future first lady's ivory-colored silk dress, featuring a bouffant skirt, was designed by African American designer Ann Lowe. She accessorized her portrait neckline with a very bridal pearl choker and a delicate lace veil.
Queen Elizabeth II in Norman Hartnell
Princess Elizabeth wed Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, in Westminster Abbey.The soon-to-be Queen of England's dress was a Duchesse satin gown designed by Norman Hartnell. She accessorized with pearl necklaces belonging to Queen Anne and Queen Caroline, a tiara, and an exquisite 15-foot train.
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