It’s no secret that the wedding dress a famous bride wears on her big day has a major impact. Nowadays, whether it’s a member of the royal family or an A-list red-carpet regular, a celebrity’s wedding gown is literally seen by eyes around the world (the pressure!) and has the potential to influence bridal trends for seasons to come. Whether you’re looking for gown inspiration for your own nuptials or you just love taking a stroll down fashion memory lane, you’re in luck–below, we’ve rounded up 42 of the most iconic wedding dresses of all time. From Queen Victoria to Beyonce, the famous brides ahead wore looks that were most definitely unforgettable. Some you may recognize, some might be new to you, but all of these bridal looks made fashion history.
Click the image to view full size
Queen Victoria has been credited with sparking the white wedding dresses tradition, although she wasn’t the first royal to wed in white.
Queen Victoria selected a white dress of heavy silk satin to wear for her wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on Feb. 10, 1840. It was considered an unusual choice at the time because colored dresses were more in style. However, wealthy and fashionable brides quickly adopted the trend of wearing white to wed. Less than ten years later, Godey’s Lady’s Book (an American magazine) incorrectly claimed that wearing white wedding gowns was an ancient custom honoring a bride’s virginity.
For most of history, Western brides did not wear white.
In ancient Rome, brides wore long veils of deep yellow over intricate six-part braided hairstyles. The yellow veil represented flames as brides were considered “torches,” bringing light and warmth into their new husbands’ homes. Prior to the Victorian era, brides wore any color, and black was especially popular in Scandinavia.
Many wedding dresses in China, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam are red, the traditional color representing good luck and auspiciousness.
Nowadays, mainland Chinese brides may choose Western wedding dresses of any color and wear a traditional red ensemble for the wedding tea ceremony. However, if you are attending a Chinese wedding, do not wear red! Consider warm colors like purple, pink, and peach, as they symbolize new life and happiness in Chinese culture.
Shop styles inspired by these iconic wedding dresses below and tell us your favorites in the comments!
Boat days come with their own unspoken dress code: equal parts polished, practical, and photo-ready.…
Whether you’ve got a new summer romance or you’re spending summer with your sweetheart, there’s…
Blue skies, salty air, sun-warmed boardwalks, and a suitcase full of cute dresses: coastal summer…
Choosing the perfect concert outfit, whether it’s for an arena show, a music festival, or…
As a guest at a wedding, you want to dress your best to celebrate the…
We’re kind of always dress shopping, but summer is when it really hits. The options…
