In any given wedding, the dress is usually the star of the show. For some reason, the gown always seems to garner the most attention out of the whole affair, and can sometimes eclipse everything around it. This is especially true when the design or fit of the frock is unusual or unique, and even more so when the person donning it is some sort of celebrity; in that case the gown is sure to be featured all over the media and, in some cases, go down in history. That was certainly the case with the following five couture wedding gowns, which have overcome their status as fleeting objects of attention and become bona-fide standards for this type of dress.
1. Princess Diana
The €mother€ of all couture wedding gowns, this extravagant taffeta and lace concoction stood out for its 25-foot long train, so bulky that it barely fits in the carriage with Diana and her father! To this day, David and Elizabeth Emmanuel’s creation continues to split opinions, but it certainly leaves no one indifferent. It is also the centrepiece of a touring exhibition about Princess Diana, which continues to attract millions of people worldwide. Out of the two world-famous couture wedding gowns €” Diana’s and Kate’s €” the original continues to garner the most attention.
2. Kate Middleton
Which is not to say, of course, that the second fairytale princess did not also turn a few heads with her dress. As far as couture wedding gowns go, Kate’s was far less extravagant than Diana’s, but still had its points of interest. For instance, detailed in its lace were the symbols of all four nations of the United Kingdom. All in all, the dress was far leaner than Diana’s, but no less expensive: designed by Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen, it is rumoured to have cost a quarter of a million pounds. Much like Diana’s, its design and designer’s name were kept under wraps until the very last moment, when, with an estimated one billion people watching, Catherine stepped out of the carriage outside Westminster Abbey.
3. Grace Kelly
Moving away from Britain, but not from princesses, the third entry in our list of famous couture wedding gowns is American actress Grace Kelly, better known as Princess Grace of Monaco. Fittingly, her dress for marrying Prince Ranier was designed by an MGM Studios costume designer, who had worked with Grace in several films. The gown was made out of century-old lace, and the underskirts were rumoured to be covered in little blue ribbons. Not a patch on the two British Cinderellas? That is up for debate. The fact is, Princess Grace is worthy of a place on this list and her dress of a place in the wedding gown history.
4. Melanie Knauss
Definitely moving away from Europe and princesses, and into American high-society, the next spot on our list belongs to Donald Trump’s wife. Melanie Knauss literally sparkled in her dress, which was covered in over 1,500 pearls and crystals. The total weight of this satin concoction was a whopping four stone, which, along with its inestimable value, warrants it a place on this dream dress roundup.
5. Marilyn Monroe
The last dress in our countdown made the list for slightly different reasons. Unlike the couture wedding gowns that preceded it, Marilyn Monroe’s outfit for marrying baseball star Joe DiMaggio was…a brown woollen skirt suit. And why not? After all, the notorious 1960s starlet was known for being a rebel and liking to break conventions. Her choice not to wear a traditional wedding gown only fits in with her unique persona, and it certainly helped give her wedding the unique touch needed to attract the media.
So there, you have it. From British princesses to American starlets, this list of world-famous couture wedding gowns has really covered all bases! Hopefully, after reading it, you will be more inspired to help design your own dress for the special day!
