Many brides can sum up how they want to feel on their wedding day in one word: “Princess.” However, when thinking of a “princess” wedding dress, usually the images that spring to mind include intensely bedazzled bodices, skirts so poofy they look like meringue, and maybe a slipper that gets left behind at midnight. The truth is, there are so many ways to feel and look like a princess without as much flamboyance. Here are modern and enchanting ways to recreate your favorite royal looks on your own wedding day.
Meghan Markle
Our fave Meghan Markle has definitely been a trendsetter in more ways than one, and her wedding dress is no exception! This actress-turned-Duchess donned a gorgeous 3/4-sleeved, boat neck dress by Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. This jaw-dropping dress had subtle poppy embellishments that represent her home state of California, as well as the wintersweet flowers that grow at Kensington Palace. For brides that loved the sharp cuts and crisp lines, a great comparison that we have in store is 2237 by Mikaella.
Kate Middleton
Jumping to Meghan’s sister-in-law, Kate Middleton wore a dress that perfectly combined modernity and tradition. Designed by Alexander McQueen, this lace bodice and satin skirt combination is so comparable to dresses designed for other favorite princesses, Grace Kelly of Monaco and Swedish Princess Sofia. No bride can go wrong with this timeless look. This look can be recreated swiftly with a dress like Mae by Robert Bullock, with long sleeves added (did you know that Robert Bullock gowns are super customizable?).
Charlene Wittstock
Who doesn’t love a classic off the shoulder gown? This Armani masterpiece was designed to be simple, elegant, and perfectly suit the Princess of Monaco. The seamstresses took a whopping 2,500 hours to finish and perfect this gown, and topped off the royal factor by embellishing it with 40,000 Swarovski crystals and 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops. While we don’t have 40,000 of them, many of the Lovebird jewelry pieces we have in store do have heirloom quality Swarovski crystals! Pair your favorite piece with a gown like Marla by Enzoani, with a classic shine from the stretch mikado fabric, for this stunning and feminine look.
Queen Soraya
This dress truly had it all, 37 yards of pearl-studded silver lamé, 6,000 diamonds, and 20,000 feathers. This Christian Dior gown is probably the most bold, unabashed, completely over the top couture gown ever worn at a royal wedding. And we get it, the 44 pounds of dress can be too much for most brides! But for the brides that love this statement, a slightly more weight-efficient option would be Charmaine by WTOO. With the feather-like posies scattered around the blushy moscato tulle, this dress is straight out of a fairy tale.
Princess Diana
The dramatic puff sleeves might not be so on-trend in 2020, but in 1981, Princess Diana’s wedding dress became one of the most famous dresses in the world, and is still considered one of the most closely guarded secrets in fashion history. This ivory silk taffeta gown became most noted for its 25 foot train (if you think that’s long, her veil was about 460 feet long!). It was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who said it "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved." 2243 by Mikaella gives off the same dramatic vibes, but in a much more modern way! The pleated skirt is an adorable alternative to Diana’s ruffles, and swapping out the puff sleeves for delicate off the shoulder straps makes this dress a gorgeous combo of classic royal elegance, and modernity.