The closest most people will get to wearing haute couture is on their wedding day. And I've been a fan of weddings since I was a girl. I love the major production that each family plunges into on behalf of the bride and groom. As someone who was in theatre and film during high school and university, I admire the efforts of regular folk who turn into costume designers, art directors and set decorators for the gala wedding event.
For today's Thursday Thirteen, here are thirteen gowns worn by high profile brides over the years that really take my breath away.
- 1
Michelle Robinson, lawyer - now the First Lady of the United States
She wore an A-line satin and taffeta gown.
Michelle and Barack Obama with their mothers
October 3rd 1992
- 2
Elizabeth Taylor, actress
She wore a white satin gown with seed pearl beading designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose, along with a pearl tiara.
Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton
May 6th 1950
- 3
Avril Lavigne, singer, songwriter, actress and model
She wore an ivory tissue organza strapless gown designed by Vera Wang.
Avril and Deryck Whibley
July 15th 2006
- 4
Grace Kelly, actress
She wore a custom-designed gown by MGM designer Helen Rose, made of antique Valenciennes rose point lace, silk taffeta and tulle.
Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monacco
April 18th 1956
- 5
Jacqueline Bouvier, 'Inquiring Camera Girl' for the Washington Times-Herald
She wore an ivory silk taffeta gown custom-designed by Ann Lowe of NYC, along with an heirloom lace veil from her grandmother.
Jacqueline and John Kennedy
September 12th 1953
- 6
Princess Margaret, second daughter of England's King George VI, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II
She wore a silk organza gown custom-designed by Norman Hartnell.
Antony Armstrong-Jones and Princess Margaret
May 6th 1960
- 7
Trudy Styler, actress and producer
She wore a white satin gown embroidered with gold roses, custom-designed by Gianni Versace, along with a gold headpiece.
Sting and Trudie Styler
August 20th 1992
- 8
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oscar-winning actress
She wore a white beaded duchess satin gown by Christian Lacroix, with a diamond tiara loaned from Fred Leighton.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas
November 18th 2000
- 9
Christine Baumgartner, German handbag designer
She wore an ivory custom-designed Monique Lhuillier gown with beaded veil.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner
September 25th 2004
- 10
Victoria Adams, pop star, fashion icon, business woman and author
She wore a champagne custom-designed Vera Wang gown.
David and Victoria Beckham
July 4th 1999
- 11
Gwen Stefani, singer, songwriter and fashion designer
She wore an ivory and pink silk faille custom John Galliano gown.
Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani
September 14th 2002
- 12
Sophie Gregoire, Canadian TV entertainment reporter and social activist
She wore an ecru gown with lace detailing by Montreal designer Nancy Wajsmann.
Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau and Justin Trudeau
May 28th 2005
- 13
Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon
She wore a white draped georgette custom-designed Jasper Conran gown with ruched bodice.
Daniel Chatto and Lady Sarah Chatto
July 14th 1994
Love wedding gowns. Love beautiful fashion. Project Runway is my favorite show.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Lady Diana? That was the most spectacular dress of all. Okay, you got some great ones here too.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. :)
I dunno, Julia. I love fashion but wedding gowns... just never did it for me. More of my mis-wiring, I suppose...
ReplyDeleteThat was fun! I like Liz Taylor's the best. It looks a lot like my mom's wedding dress.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite gowns was Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's wedding dress. Mind you, she was one of the few people who could pull a dress like that off.
Anne - I used to love watching fashion shows, but nowadays there's often too much flashing-light problems for me (strobe effects are super bad news for my migraine head.) But I just love the runway model strut.
ReplyDeleteSandee - I did enjoy Diana's dress at the time, but I'm not into the poofy sleeves, 20 years later.
Susan - no mis-wiring. Either you like something, or you don't. That's life as I call it. So say I.
Annette - the Carolyn Besssette Kennedy dress is a style that seems more suited to the reception, for me. It's true, she could pull it off! It's less formal to me, and in the same category as brides who get married in mini skirts, shorts, casual linens, etc. There's hardly any reason to wear a gown anymore, so I love wedding gowns for their formality, really.
Every bride expresses herself with her choice of wedding attire, and the easy-going, breezier style of more casual brides is fun, of course. But none of those types made it to my list...
I like Queen Elizabeth's gown, and I love the story behind it since it was just after the war and British people helped to contribute to it. I also like the Queen Mother's gown, love those flapper styles.
ReplyDeleteOf course mine was the best. ;)
My favourite wedding gown of all time was the one worn by Sarah Ferguson when she married Prince Andrew. :)
ReplyDeleteThose are some impressive gowns!
ReplyDeleteall very pretty :-)
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know that I actually read through all the descriptions and looked at all the photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm partial to President Obama and Mr Douglas because they wore traditional tuxedos with bow ties. I'm not a fan of the long tie with formal wear.
Lovely post and pics, julia... but I'm disappointed that you didn't throw in your wedding day photo!!
ReplyDeleteAmy - I'm actually a huge fan of Victorian brides like Edward VII's wife, Queen Alexandra, but I figured I'd stick to more recent history. I do love the Queen Mother's bridal gown. And of course, yours was the best!
ReplyDeleteAkelamalu - I actually really loved Sarah's gown, particularly because she has a similar figure to mine. Her gown helped me make my own wedding dress choice.
Alice - as Amy said, of course every bride thinks her own dress is the most beautiful. At least they should. If you're not head over heels in love with your wedding gown - keep looking.
Janet - I love looking through them, now that I've got them all collected in one spot.
Travis - I agree about the bow ties for formal. My husband - of course! - wore a bow tie. And thanks for reading through everything ((hug))
Wylie - LOL! Here's a peek at mine:
Julia's wedding dress
I love that picture of your Dad and you in the car. You're both positively beaming. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning!!!!!! Great TT, Julia.
ReplyDeleteI am at a stage in my life when simpler is better, prettier, and straps are the last word in modesty. (Said the flat-chested girl.)
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures all. I love wedding dresses, too.
ReplyDelete