Celebrity Weddings

Inspiration from the stars

By Kai Ma

July 25, 2011

Online culture and celebrity worship has resulted in a worldwide fascination of what famous people eat, drive and carry in their purses. Naturally, we’re interested, too, in how they tie the knot. These weddings have become some of the most visual inspirations that we have today. But unlike Kate Moss, for example, most women can’t ask John Galliano to design a personal wedding gown, nor do we have the deep pockets to have a blowout A-List affair. But that doesn’t mean we can’t observe a famous bride’s style and steal a few ideas.

Need some inspiration? Read up on some of most iconic celebrity weddings of our time. Note: Many of these marriages have since been dissolved. Does it matter? For you, it shouldn’t.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, 1996

Married in a secret cerh6ony, clutching a lily of the valley bouquet, Carolyn Bessette left her guests and the world speechless. Long before her wedding, the late fashion icon was hailed for her polished, understated look; her personal style, as it turned out, informed her bridal attire. Her simple bias cut white silk dress, hand-rolled tulle silk veil, low chignon bun, and elbow length gloves reignited our fascination with the sleek and modern bride.

Dita Von Teese, 2005

Known for her milky white skin, retro elegance and sex kitten persona, Dita von Teese is the ultimate example of a bride with no fear. For her wedding to Marilyn Manson at Gottfried Helnwein's Irish Castle, the burlesque bombshell wore a royal purple silk taffeta gown designed by Vivienne Westwood. A matching tri-corn hat with a birdcage black veil only added to the drama of the ensh6ble. The wedding photos were featured in the March 2006 issue of Vogue for a spread called, “The Bride Wore Purple.”

Bianca Jagger, 1971

Speaking of rockers, Bianca Jagger, too, rejected the notion of traditional wedding attire. The ultra glam bride did don white, but in the form of a blazer worn over a long skirt. Nothing was worn under the low-cut jacket; Mick—and the guests—surely saw much more than cleavage. Her large white hat had a wide brim, allowing the veil fastened to it fall gently around her head. Jagger’s choice rh6ains a symbol of 1970s rock bridal chic.

Cindy Crawford, 1998

Cindy Crawford married her husband in the Bahamas—barefoot and radiant. The look: a short slip dress, little makeup, simple flowers, and windblown hair. The beach bride never looked so ravishing.

Jessica Simpson, 2002

For a televised newlywed like Jessica Simpson, having the perfect bridal balance of sweetness and glamour was key. She nailed it (or rather, her stylist did). The lace gown with sea pearls and antiqued beading was soft and romantic. Her loose curls and stephanotis bouquet are considered, by thousands, as bridal must-haves. During her marriage to Nick Lachey, the singer/actress also donned an 11-carat diamond headband that was attached to her veil.

Marilyn Monroe, 1956

When Marilyn Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller (her third wedding), she wore a flattering champagne colored h6pire line dress. The iconic beauty complh6ented the dress with a full shoulder length veil attached to a subtle white skullcap. It is said that she didn’t have a beige veil to match her dress, so she dyed the veil in a pot of coffee! Now, that’s creative.

Melania Knauss-Trump

This name is practically synonymous with over-the-top, extravagant bridal fashion. Melania Knauss-Trump sauntered down the aisle in a Christian Dior gown that was made for her in Paris by 28 seamstresses. A couple stats: It took more than 1,000 hours to make the dress, and more than 1,500 crystal rhinestones and pearls were hand-stitched into her gown. It didn’t stop there. A 13-foot train and 16-foot veil completed the look of this very famous frock. In her bouquet, the Slovenian model carried a family heirloom: a rosary. All the flowers (roses, hydrangeas, gardenias and peonies) were white.