Inspiring styles: celebrity bridal looks that are worth stealing

There are many elements to planning a stunning wedding, from the venue and flower arrangements to music, menu, and so on. But we all know that the bridal gown is the event’s highlight. With everyone in attendance curious about what the bride will wear, all other aspects fade by comparison. 

The bar for wedding dresses is relatively high, considering that this is the type of gown one only gets to wear once, on what is supposed to be one of the most critical moments in a person’s life. Understandably, all brides want to look their best on their special day and find a gown that reflects the importance of the event and matches their personality and style. And so begins the search for the one. 

This makes choosing a wedding dress a deeply personal experience and a very complicated and often exhausting process. Picking only one attire (or two, if you’re planning for an outfit change) from the multitude of styles and models available is quite a challenge, even for the most patient brides, and can turn into a test of endurance for those who are a bit more short-tempered. 

One can go through countless catalogs and try on dozens of dresses until one finally finds the one that feels just right. But what if you don’t have the time or patience to do all that and still haven’t decided on your bridal outfit? You certainly can’t walk down the aisle wearing a random outfit.

When you feel lost for ideas or can’t make up your mind, iconic celebrity wedding looks can inspire and help you narrow down your options. After all, celebs have an army of stylists and designers helping them assemble the most breathtaking outfits, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of their creations. 

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

Is there anything more iconic than a royal wedding dress? The gown Kate Middleton wore in 2011 for her wedding to Prince William reignited people’s fascination with royal fashion and inspired brides from all over the world.

Created by English designer Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen fashion house, this famous dress follows a classic A-line silhouette, combining a long-sleeved lace top with a voluminous skirt. 

Made from a blend of white and ivory satin gazar and lace, the gown features a form-fitting Victorian-style bodice and a modest V-neckline, in accordance with the Duchess’ desire for a design that merges traditional and modern elements. The look was completed by a simple floor-length veil and a 9-foot-long train.

This fit-for-a-princess dress is praised not only for the high level of craftsmanship that went into creating it but also for the timeless elegance and beauty it exudes. So, if you want to feel like a princess, taking a cue from this royal creation might be a good idea. 

Olivia Palermo in Carolina Herrera

Fashion and beauty entrepreneur Olivia Palermo is known for her trend-setting styles, so when she got married in 2014, expectations for her wedding dress were pretty high. She didn’t disappoint with the custom three-piece Carolina Herrera ensemble she chose to wear on her wedding day. 

Staying true to her modern and edgy style, Olivia opted for a non-traditional white cashmere sweater and silk faille shorts with a tulle overlay skirt that elevated the whole aesthetic.

The unexpected pairing was accessorized with a pair of blue Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps, creating an effortlessly elegant look. If you want to break away from tradition, Olivia Palermo’s attire offers a good example of how to get it right. 

Paris Hilton in Oscar de la Renta

Heiress to the Hilton hotel empire, Paris Hilton was a huge influence in the 2000s fashion scene and has sported some memorable looks over the years – some more striking than others. For her star-studded wedding celebrations, which lasted a whole weekend, the socialite wore not one but seven dresses.

The star of the show was the Oscar de la Renta gown designed by creative director Fernando Garcia, reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s iconic wedding dress.

With a high neckline and full-length sleeves made of sheer lace embellished with delicate hand-embroidered flowers that continued onto the splendid ball-gown skirt, Paris’ attire captured the old-world charm and can be used as a point of reference for brides who are fond of this timeless aesthetic.   

Keira Knightley in Chanel

Keira Knightley’s understated glamour has been featured in the pages of fashion magazines countless times. Naturally, her wedding dress became a subject of intense discussion, not only because of its style but also because it was something she had already worn. 

The gown in question was an off-white knee-length strapless tulle dress from Chanel’s 2006 collection. Maybe you don’t have a Chanel dress hanging in your closet, but Keira’s choice proves a point, showing that you don’t always have to search high and low for the perfect wedding outfit if you already own something you love and would fit the occasion. 

Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren

When Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas tied the knot in 2018, the actress wore several modern and traditional Indian outfits during their over-the-top three-day wedding festivities. While the traditional ensembles were real showstoppers, the gown that stole the spotlight was a custom Ralph Lauren that required a total of 1,826 to complete. 

The one-of-a-kind dress featured 32,000 sequins, 5,600 seed beads, 11,632 Swarovski crystals, and 135 satin-covered buttons sewn onto the form-fitting silhouette. While the gown’s style was rather modest, with a coat-style high neck, long sleeves, and a simple A-line bottom, the details made it truly stunning.