When it comes to selecting the perfect wedding gown, many brides are influenced by pop culture (whether they want to admit it or not). From the most stylish celebrity brides to the incredibly memorable nuptials in film and TV, a select group of trendsetting gowns now dominate Pinterest boards, scrapbooks, and the knockoffs on retail shelves. Whether they're revolutionary, over-the-top, surprising, or just plain gorgeous, behold the most influential wedding dresses of all time. By Joanna Douglas, Yahoo Shine Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor
Grace Kelly, 1956
When the American actress wed Monaco's Prince Rainier III, she wore, in effect, a piece of Hollywood. Her elaborate gown, which was made of 90 yards of tulle, 25 yards of silk taffeta, antique rose-point lace, and pearls, took Helen Rose, a costume designer at MGM (which gave the dress to Kelly as a gift), and three dozen seamstresses a total of six weeks to create. Many have said that the dress may have inspired Kate Middleton's wedding gown.
When the American actress wed Monaco's Prince Rainier III, she wore, in effect, a piece of Hollywood. Her elaborate gown, which was made of 90 yards of tulle, 25 yards of silk taffeta, antique rose-point lace, and pearls, took Helen Rose, a costume designer at MGM (which gave the dress to Kelly as a gift), and three dozen seamstresses a total of six weeks to create. Many have said that the dress may have inspired Kate Middleton's wedding gown.
Elizabeth Taylor as Kay Banks in "Father of the Bride," 1950
The same costume designer created this elaborate layered gown for the classic film. Taylor loved the design so much that she had Rose design a very similar dress for her (first) real-life wedding to Conrad Hilton later that year.
The same costume designer created this elaborate layered gown for the classic film. Taylor loved the design so much that she had Rose design a very similar dress for her (first) real-life wedding to Conrad Hilton later that year.
Gwen Stefani, 2002
The singer is well-known for her style, but she made more fashion headlines than usual when she donned an ombre pink, John Galliano dress for her marriage to Gavin Rossdale in London. Stefani was so in love with the dress that two weeks later, when the couple had a second ceremony in Los Angeles, she decided to wear it again. She later donated it to the Victoria and Albert Museum, saying it was a "piece of art," and the dress has become an inspiration for brides seeking out blush-colored gowns.
The singer is well-known for her style, but she made more fashion headlines than usual when she donned an ombre pink, John Galliano dress for her marriage to Gavin Rossdale in London. Stefani was so in love with the dress that two weeks later, when the couple had a second ceremony in Los Angeles, she decided to wear it again. She later donated it to the Victoria and Albert Museum, saying it was a "piece of art," and the dress has become an inspiration for brides seeking out blush-colored gowns.
Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf in "Gossip Girl," 2012
For Queen B's second wedding, she had no trouble finding "something blue." This icy beaded Elie Saab was a stunning sendoff on the final episode of the series when, at long last, Blair married Chuck Bass.
For Queen B's second wedding, she had no trouble finding "something blue." This icy beaded Elie Saab was a stunning sendoff on the final episode of the series when, at long last, Blair married Chuck Bass.
Bianca Jagger, 1971
Eschewing a traditional wedding dress, Mick Jagger's bride turned to designer Yves Saint Laurent for his expertise. "Contrary to popular wisdom, it wasn't a trouser suit: it was a long, narrow skirt and a jacket," Bianca Jagger wrote in The Guardian. "He made the wide-brimmed hat with a veil and we decided that instead of carrying a bouquet I should wear a flower corsage on my wrist to go with the suit."
Eschewing a traditional wedding dress, Mick Jagger's bride turned to designer Yves Saint Laurent for his expertise. "Contrary to popular wisdom, it wasn't a trouser suit: it was a long, narrow skirt and a jacket," Bianca Jagger wrote in The Guardian. "He made the wide-brimmed hat with a veil and we decided that instead of carrying a bouquet I should wear a flower corsage on my wrist to go with the suit."
Keira Knightley, 2013
In perhaps the coolest move ever, Knightley pulled a pretty, knee-length, tulle Chanel dress out of her closet for her wedding to musician James Righton. She had already worn it publicly to a BAFTA Awards afterparty in 2008, but that didn't stop her from recycling the dress for her big day, when she accessorized it with a cropped Chanel tweed jacket and black Wayfarer sunglasses. She later wore it again to a gala and supposedly ruined it with red wine, but at least she made some great memories in the dress!
In perhaps the coolest move ever, Knightley pulled a pretty, knee-length, tulle Chanel dress out of her closet for her wedding to musician James Righton. She had already worn it publicly to a BAFTA Awards afterparty in 2008, but that didn't stop her from recycling the dress for her big day, when she accessorized it with a cropped Chanel tweed jacket and black Wayfarer sunglasses. She later wore it again to a gala and supposedly ruined it with red wine, but at least she made some great memories in the dress!
Princess Diana, 1981
The princess of Wales broke royal wedding records for her gown's unforgettable 25-foot train. The dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, may have overwhelmed her frame, but it suited the times. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace skirt was filled up with layers of petticoats, while puffed sleeves and a flounce collar embellished the top.
The princess of Wales broke royal wedding records for her gown's unforgettable 25-foot train. The dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, may have overwhelmed her frame, but it suited the times. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace skirt was filled up with layers of petticoats, while puffed sleeves and a flounce collar embellished the top.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, 2008
The couple wore Zac Posen creations that perfectly suited their personal styles. The hilarious TV host chose a white shirt, vest, and pants, while Rossi opted for a pale pink tulle gown.
The couple wore Zac Posen creations that perfectly suited their personal styles. The hilarious TV host chose a white shirt, vest, and pants, while Rossi opted for a pale pink tulle gown.
Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet in "Romeo + Juliet," 1996
The modern remake of the Shakespeare classic also featured a revamped wardrobe. Juliet's simple, silky, button-up, sleeveless dress and slightly messy updo suited the new '90s incarnation.
The modern remake of the Shakespeare classic also featured a revamped wardrobe. Juliet's simple, silky, button-up, sleeveless dress and slightly messy updo suited the new '90s incarnation.
Queen Victoria, 1840
Ever wonder why women wear white down the aisle? This wide-necked gown the queen wore to marry Prince Albert is responsible for the still-followed trend.
Ever wonder why women wear white down the aisle? This wide-necked gown the queen wore to marry Prince Albert is responsible for the still-followed trend.
Yoko Ono, 1969
In a fitting sign of the times, John Lennon's bride wore a white minidress with knee socks, cool sunglasses, and a hat. Zsa Zsa Gaborfamously said that the newlyweds looked like "two people going to hold up a bank." They didn't.
In a fitting sign of the times, John Lennon's bride wore a white minidress with knee socks, cool sunglasses, and a hat. Zsa Zsa Gaborfamously said that the newlyweds looked like "two people going to hold up a bank." They didn't.
Kate Middleton, 2011
An estimated 3 billion people tuned in to watch Middleton marry Prince William and become the Duchess of Cambridge in the insanely hyped wedding. But the real reason people were watching, of course, was to see the dress! After loads of rumors, Middleton entered Westminster Abbey wearing a stunningAlexander McQueen corset dress with a lace bodice by Sarah Burton.
An estimated 3 billion people tuned in to watch Middleton marry Prince William and become the Duchess of Cambridge in the insanely hyped wedding. But the real reason people were watching, of course, was to see the dress! After loads of rumors, Middleton entered Westminster Abbey wearing a stunningAlexander McQueen corset dress with a lace bodice by Sarah Burton.
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