The Most Iconic Wedding Dresses of All Time

Wed Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor in June 1937

This silk crepe dress was at the height of fashion when Simpson wore it to marry the Duke of Windsor. The designer dyed the fabric a light shade of blue to match her eyes. He appropriately deemed the hue “Wallis blue.”

Wed Sgt. John Agar in September 1945

Shirley Temple was just 17 years old when she married Sgt. John Agar. She wore a satin wedding gown and large tiara.

Wed Jo Bouillon in June 1947

The Missouri-born entertainer married French composer Jo Bouillon at Château des Milandes, her home in Southwestern France. Baker wore a belted square-neck sheath dress, but her feathered hat and braided updo stole the show.

Wed Prince Philip in November 1947

Less than three months before her November wedding, Queen Elizabeth approved a design from Britain couturier Norman Hartnell. The gown was constructed with duchesse silk satin, white seed pearls, silver thread, intricate appliques, and a silk tulle veil. The tulle train was attached to the dress at the shoulders.

Wed Conrad ‘Nicky’ Hilton in May 1950

Taylor became known for her wedding style—as there would be many looks to choose from through the years. In her first marriage to Conrad ‘Nicky’ Hilton, the actress wore a satin ball gown that showed off her tiny waist and a voluminous veil.

Wed Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor), 'Father of the Bride' (1950)

The same year she tied the knot with the hotel heir, Taylor starred as Kay Banks in the original Father of the Bride. Her on-screen look was more conservative than her real-life wedding day style, but still played up her iconic curves.

Wed John F. Kennedy in September 1953

The wedding gown that went down in history as being one of the best of all time almost didn’t happen. Ten days before her wedding to JFK, Jackie’s dress was destroyed in a flood in designer (and Alabama-native) Anne Lowe’s studio. Lowe ended up pulling together the new gown, complete with bouffant skirt and portrait neckline, just in time for what would go down as one of history’s most iconic weddings.

Wed Mel Ferrer in September 1954

Pierre Balmain designed Hepburn’s tea-length dress. It featured a high neck and satin sash and was paired with elbow-length gloves. A flower crown gave an ethereal touch to her wedding day style.

Wed Eddie Fisher in September 1955

Reynolds wore a lace gown with cap sleeves. A short veil and pearl jewelry completed the young star’s look.

Wed Monaco’s Prince Rainier in April 1956

The wedding gown that’s widely considered the most famous of all time was a confection of silk, taffeta, tulle, and Belgian lace. It took three petticoats (embroidered with little “something blue” bows) to support the bell-shaped skirt.

Wed Frank Sinatra in November 1951

The halter-neck dress was paired with a sheer shawl. A simple, double strand of pearls completed the bridal look.

Wed Ronald Reagan in March 1952

The future First Lady donned a gray wool suit with a shawl collar.

Wed Antony Armstrong-Jones in May 1960

The long-sleeve, silk organza gown featured a fitted v-neck bodice and pleated, full skirt. Norman Hartwell, who designed her sister’s dress more than a decade earlier, created the look.

Wed Bill McDonald in June 1960

South Carolina native Eartha Kitt wore a custom chiffon dress trimmed in satin for her at-home wedding to real estate developer Bill McDonald. She finished her wedding day ensemble with a 5-strand pearl necklace, along with coordinating satin hat, shoes, and handbag. 

Wed Peter Pock in June 1962

Actress Nancy Kwan married Austrian ski instructor Peter Pock at the Paddington Registry Office in London. For the simple ceremony, Kwan chose a lace and shantung silk dress with a matching bolero jacket and statement headband.

Wed Carl Dean in May 1966

Parton’s bridal style was short and sweet. A simple tulle veil was the finishing touch.

Wed Elvis Presley in May 1967

If there was any question what decade the Presleys said “I do,” one only needs to take a look Priscilla’s dress—and hair—to find out. The organza gown with beaded sleeves had a flowy silhouette that was a popular style at the time. It was topped with a three-quarter-length veil.

Wed Johnny Cash in March 1968

Carter chose a short dress in light blue lace with bell sleeves for her wedding to crooner Johnny Cash. Low satin heels and a flower headpiece completed the ensemble.

Wed Ed Cox in June 1971

For her White House wedding, Nixon wore a V-neck gown with delicate lace and pearl embroidery. The veil cascaded out of a coordinating headpiece.

Wed Glynn Turman in April 1978

Franklin wore an ankle-length white dress to marry actor Glynn Turman at her father’s New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. The soul singer completed her wedding day ensemble with a brocade robe trimmed in fur and ending in a train that followed her up the aisle.

Wed Prince Charles, Prince of Wales in July 1981

The sleeves, the train, the tiara—who could forget this iconic look? The dress was comprised of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace. Diana’s gown was kept under such tight wraps that a back-up dress was constructed on the off chance that the details of this dress were leaked before the big day.

Wed Edwin Schlossberg in July 1986

The dress was designed by Carolina Herrera, a favorite designer of Caroline’s mother, Jackie. The silk organza gown had a drop waist, high round neck, and short sleeves.

Wed Vic Damone in January 1987

The Tony Award-winning actress wore an ivory suit with puffy sleeves and a peplum waist to marry musician Vic Damone in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Wed Jackson Latcherie (Dylan McDermott), 'Steel Magnolias' (1989)

Shelby’s off-the-shoulder number featured satin beads up the back and a large taffeta bow. A few year’s later, Julia Roberts would wear a slightly similar look (with fewer florettes) for her role in Runaway Bride.

Wed Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern), 'Father of the Bride' (1991)

Before she was Brad Paisley’s bride, Kimberly Williams played one on-screen in the Father of the Bride reboot. The fitted bodice transformed into a full skirt with a large swathe of lace trim.

Wed Lucas (Leslie Nielsen), 'Golden Girls' (aired May 1992)

Who remembers this TV wedding? We’re not quite sure what was going on between the fit, lace, and those rings in v-formation, but it’s definitely one that’s hard to forget.

Wed Rene Angelil in December 1994

Understated is not a word that can be used to describe Dion’s bridal attire. A large headpiece was just the beginning of this unforgettable look. Embroidery, lace, diamonds—every kind of opulence one can imagine was incorporated into the gown’s design.

Wed Keith Urban in June 2006

The one-shouldered gown with empire waist felt both vintage and modern. The bride wore her hair half up with soft curls falling just below her shoulders.

Wed Henry Hager in May 2008

Hager selected a gown by Oscar de la Renta, a favorite designer of former First Lady Laura Bush. It featured a V-shaped back and stunning embroidery. The bride kept the look natural and opted to forego a veil.

Wed Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010

Designer Vera Wang created the bridal look for the former First Daughter. The strapless gown featured stunning ivory silk organza and a beaded belt.

Wed Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in April 2011

The long-sleeved dress set off a shock wave of imitation styles almost instantaneously. The gown complete with a fitted bodice, plunging lace overlay, and stunning train has become one of the most iconic bridal looks.

Wed James Rothschild in July 2015

Hilton wore a gown fit for royalty for her July wedding at Kensington Palace. The stunning lace dress, designed by Valentino, featured long sleeves, a high neck, a fitted bodice, and full skirt.

Wed James Matthews in April 2017

Pippa’s bridesmaid dress for Kate’s wedding made waves, so there were high expectations when it came to what she would wear for her own big day. The gown was a custom creation by British designer Giles Deacon. It featured cap sleeves, a high neck, and a heart-shaped cutout on the back.

Wed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in May 2018

Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller designed a silk-cady gown with a bateau neckline in close collaboration with the bride. Her tulle veil featured hand-embroidered flowers honoring each country in the Commonwealth. Since no royal wedding is complete without jewels, Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara held the 5-meter-long veil in place.

Wed Jack Brooksbank in October 2018

Princess Eugenie wore a Peter Pilotto gown with a fitted bodice and a full pleated skirt. She requested a v-style back to show the scar from her childhood scoliosis surgery. Queen Elizabeth II lent her granddaughter the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara to complete her royal ensemble.