If you're deliberating over your dream wedding dress, browse through GLAMOUR's edit of these 19 vintage celebrity wedding dresses… all worn by style icons before the year 2000. From full skirted 1950s shapes to mod mini-dresses in the Sixties and right through to hippyish slip-dresses from the Seventies (plus mega-meringues from the Eighties) every bride-to-be will find her perfect vintage fashion inspiration here…
Although, just a word of warning, as you can pinpoint different decades from their general trends, it's also easy to date a wedding dress with the style signatures from that era. So, if you're planning your wedding now, it would be a smart idea to just take one or two elements from these vintage celebrity wedding dresses, rather than recreate them in all their retro glory. If you go too heavy on the details, you could end up looking like you're wearing costume… and that's not a good look.
So, who are the vintage celebrity brides we're inspired by?
Scroll down to see some of the icons of the last century's best bridal style...
Wallis Simpson 1937
Their relationship had a scandalous start (Wallis had been married twice before *gasp* and the former Edward VIII had to abdicate from his position as King, as the Church of England wouldn't condone a royal marriage to a divorcee) but Wallis's dress was truly divine. Echoing the 1930's penchant for longline looks, the bridal gown dress was floor length and super-sleek. Parisian couturier Mainbocher dyed the dress blue to fit in with society's belief, at the time, that only first time brides could wear white (*eye roll emoji.*) The dress's gathered details and halo-style hat inspired bridal style for years to come.
Queen Elizabeth II 1947
Embroidered with ears of wheat and flower motifs in gold and silver thread, the then Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress took three months to make and was also embellished with 1000 seed pearls. British couturier Norman Hartnell was responsible for the design (and the 15 foot train…) and as rationing was still in place in post-War Britain, Elizabeth saved up coupons to pay for her dress.
Elizabeth Taylor 1950
At her first wedding (with seven more to follow) the actor wore a full skirt (a favourite of the 1950s) designed by Hollywood costume designer Helen Rose. The off-the-shoulder detail was an illusion, created by a panel of sheer silk, featuring more seed pearl embellishments. The dress was sold at auction in London in 2013 for $187,931.
Audrey Hepburn 1954
Still cited as a style icon, Audrey Hepburn's first wedding dress typifies her elegant, pared back approach to fashion. Although Hepburn actually called off the wedding, the simple boat-neck satin dress, with full-skirt and long sleeves, became legendary for its second life. Hepburn asked for it to be donated to an Italian bride-to-be and it was auctioned by Kerry Taylor Auctions in 2009, for $23,000.
Grace Kelly 1956
Maybe the most replicated vintage celebrity wedding dress of all time, Grace Kelly was Hollywood royalty turned actual royalty. Kelly's lace and silk dress featured two petticoats and an 80metre train and was designed by MGM studio costume designer Helen Rose (who also created Liz Taylor's first wedding dress). The gown is still inspiring royal bridal style today. When Kate Middleton married Prince William, her high-necked lace gown definitely bore a resemblance to this iconic look, and she also carried lily-of-the-valley in her bouquet, as did Kelly.
Mia Farrow 1966
As the more formal 1950s gave way to the swinging Sixties and Mod became a mainstream trend, wedding dresses evolved to echo the shorter length skirts of the day. Mia Farrow married Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, wearing a neat two piece suit, which completely ticked off the Mod moment.
Priscilla Presley 1967
Despite the fact most vintage celebrity wedding dresses are created bespoke for their brides, Priscilla Beaulieu bought her gown straight off the rack. Apparently Elvis Presley's bride-to-be slipped into a blonde wig, to try on department store dresses incognito. The floor-length white column dress she chose is supremely simple, although the long lace sleeves and neckline elevate the pared back silhouette. The crown-like headpiece nods to the wearer's position as a member of rock and roll royalty.
Raquel Welch 1967
Hippy style started to infiltrate high fashion in the late Sixties and Raquel Welch's crochet dress exemplifies the bohemian mood. While the actor paired it with a fur coat, we're imagining a white crochet wedding dress worn on a beach somewhere tropical... This dress should definitely go on your Pinterest board if you are planning a beach wedding…
Sharon Tate 1968
This was the Sixties, but the leg o'mutton sleeves (yes, that is the technical term) date back to the early 1800s when they were a popular style in France. Actor Sharon Tate mixes almost twee modesty (with that demure, high neckline) with a modern mini length. Apart from the hair bows… and possibly the tights… this is a look we would totally wear for a city registry office wedding today.
Yoko Ono 1969
We're obsessed with artist Yoko Ono's bridal combo of white knee socks and plimsolls but we're also here for John Lennon's similarly tonal wedding day 'fit. Proving that your wedding day lewk doesn't even have to include a dress, bridal separates are ideal for micro-weddings and offer greater styling opportunities (plus the chance to wear them again…)
Audrey Hepburn 1969
Proving that you can stick to your own personal style on your wedding day, Audrey Hepburn's third wedding dress, was simple, chic and timeless. Just like the rest of the iconic outfits she wore. Designer Hubert de Givenchy had created costumes for Hepburn's recent films so Audrey enlisted him to design this baby pink dress and headscarf duo for her nuptials. The white tights and Hepburn's signature ballet flats give a personal twist.
Bianca Jagger 1971
While most people imagine that Bianca Perez-Mora Macias wore a trouser suit, she actually wore an Yves Saint Laurent maxi skirt - not trousers - to marry Mick Jagger in St Tropez. With her Le Smoking jacket worn over bare skin (covering a baby bump), Bianca's wide-brimmed hat balanced out the volume of the floor-sweeping skirt.
Cher 1975
The simple slip dress is an icon on its own, but Cher transformed it into a piece of art with corset-style lacing across the bust and pleats edged in lace running vertically down the skirt. Taking a simple silhouette and switching up the details or fabric is the best way to give your own twist to a classic.
Alana Hamilton 1979
When model and actor Alana married Rod Stewart, her off-the-shoulder dress epitomised the soft romance of fashion in the late Seventies. The original cottagecore movement provided a stylistic escape from the political and social upheaval during the era.
Princess Diana 1981
Everything in the Eighties went supersized. From mega-watt perms, to mobile phones, shoulder pads and wedding gowns… it's only natural that the biggest wedding of the decade saw the literal largest dress. When Diana Spencer became Princess of Wales in 1981, her dress - designed by husband and wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel, cost £9000.
Diana Ross 1986
Diana Ross wore a slinky satin column dress topped with lace for a striking take on bridal style. The pop diva proved that adding interest to a simple shape with contrasting fabric will be forever in fashion.
Michelle Obama 1992
When Michelle Robinson married the future president of the United States she combined a contemporary silhouette (the off-the-shoulder detail was a Nineties mainstay) with classic romance (we are in love with that frou-frou tulle veil!)
Mariah Carey 1993
Going full-on Disney princess Mariah Carey got married in a brilliant white satin gown, with an off-the-shoulder neckline and puff sleeves designed by Vera Wang. Apparently inspired by Princess Diana's voluminous gown, Mariah's dress featured a 27 foot long train and 10 foot veil, too.
Victoria Adams 1999
This really was the decade of the giant gown. When two became one and Vicky A became Vicky B, Vera Wang was the bridal designer on every celebrity's wishlist. The oyster satin gown was accompanied by a 20 foot long train and Victoria's crown was created by jewellery Slim Barrett. Posh, indeed.
For more wedding dress content, check out our guide to the five styles of dress you need to know about; find out how to design your own wedding dress and then read about Simone Biles' clever tip that every petite bride needs to hear…
For more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton, follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton
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