famous wedding dresses

15 of the most iconic royal and celebrity wedding dresses of all time

These classic styles have inspired brides all over the world

October 9, 2018
© Photo: Getty Images

On Friday 12 October Princess Eugenie will join the ranks of famous royal wedding dress wearers when she marries Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel in Windsor. The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson has confirmed she has chosen a British designer, and Erdem is the current bookie's favourite to land the highly-coveted gig. With her preference for quirky, unexpected style, we're looking forward to a truly show-stopping look from the 28-year-old on her big day.

In honour of this upcoming royal wedding, here are 15 of the most iconic royal and celebrity wedding dresses of all time – from Eugenie's cousins-in-law Meghan and Kate to Hollywood serial bride Elizabeth Taylor.

Meghan Markle

Rumours of who would be chosen to design the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress went into overdrive in the run-up to her wedding to Prince Harry, with everyone from Ralph & Russo to Stella McCartney being named at different points. In the end Meghan trusted for Parisian couture house Givenchy and its artistic director Clare Waight Keller to create her gorgeous tailored bateau-neck gown.

© Photo: Getty Images

Elizabeth Taylor

Hollywood legend Liz became almost as famous for her eight different weddings as she did her acting career, most famously marrying (and divorcing) her Cleopatra co-star Richard Burton twice over. For their first wedding, she wore this yellow chiffon dress and white floral headdress.

Princess Diana 

Lady Diana Spencer captured the attention of the world when she married Prince Charles at St Paul's Cathedral in 1981. Her dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace with a 25 foot train and a 153 yard tulle veil.

© Photo: Getty Images

Grace Kelly

Hollywood star Grace became a princess when she married Monaco’s Prince Rainier in what was described as "the wedding of the century" in 1956. Her stunning gown was a gift from her studio, MGM, and featured a high neckline and multiple petticoats, and was embellished with hundreds of tiny pearls. The iconic style has inspired countless other brides, from the Duchess of Cambridge to Miranda Kerr.

© Photo: Getty Images

Pippa Middleton

When your sister's wedding dress was one of the most iconic of all time, it must be hard to find something to wear on your big day that will let you shine in your own right. But Pippa managed it for her wedding to James Matthews with this high-necked, cap-sleeves gown by British designer Giles Deacon.

© Photo: Getty Images

Solange Knowles

Solange's ultra cool New Orleans wedding set social media on fire once pictures of her and new husband Alan Ferguson were released. Beyoncé's sister eschewed the traditional white dress in favour of an ivory jumpsuit by Stephane Rolland – sparking one of the biggest bridal trends of recent years.

© Photo: Getty Images

Zara Phillips

Zara chose one of the Queen's favourite couturiers, Stewart Parvin, to design the dress for her wedding to Mike Tindall in 2011. The stunning gown featured a full skirt and a chevron-pleated corseted bodice.

© Photo: Getty Images

Bianca Jagger

Mick and Bianca Jagger's 1971 St Tropez wedding is widely regarded as one of the most stylish of all time. Bianca sparked several major trends by opting for a daringly low-cut YSL smoking jacket, which she teamed with a wide-brimmed hat and full-length skirt.

© Photo: Getty Images

Duchess of Cornwall

For her wedding to Prince Charles in 2005, Camilla Parker-Bowles picked a cream silk chiffon dress and distinctive matching oyster silk basket weave coat. Instead of a veil she opted for an eye-catching Philip Treacy headpiece featuring ivory French lace and feathers.

© Photo: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian

The reality star shocked many onlookers when she opted for a reasonably traditional gown by Givenchy Haute Couture featuring a high neckline and long sleeves when she married Kanye West in 2014. However, as it's Kim Kardashian, she couldn't resist keeping it slightly sexy with cut-out lace panels.

© Photo: Getty Images

Sarah Ferguson

Sarah, Duchess of York, went for a flamboyant '80s style dress when she wed Prince Andrew in 1986. Her gown was made by couturier Lindka Cierach and featured a number of special symbols including hearts, anchors and waves to represent Andrew's sailing background, and bumblebees and thistles from the Ferguson family crest.

© Photo: HELLO!

Angelina Jolie

Angelina was adamant that her six children would be heavily involved in her 2014 wedding to Brad Pitt, and one way she achieved this was by having their drawings embroidered onto her beautiful veil. Her custom satin dress was designed by Donatella Versace and handmade by Luigi Massi, the fashion house's head tailor.

© Photo: Rex

Princess Anne

Anne was the first of the Queen's children to get married, meaning her 1973 wedding to Captain Mark Phillips brought with it huge expectation. She worked closely with designer Maureen Baker to create her dramatic dress, which was inspired by the Tudor gowns of Elizabeth I's court.

© Photo: Getty Images

Kate Moss

The UK's favourite supermodel looked the epitome of bohemian beauty when she wed musician Jamie Hince in a sheer John Galliano dress embellished with sequins and embroidery. The designer revealed he was inspired by classic jazz age Great Gatsby-style dresses when creating the gown.

© Photo: Getty Images

Kate Middleton

What can we say about one of the most iconic wedding dresses of recent years? The Duchess of Cambridge wowed the world when she walked up the aisle of Westminster Abbey in an incredible couture gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

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