The Most Iconic Wedding Dresses Of All Time

There are wedding dresses that you remember.  And then there are wedding dresses that are iconic. Dresses that both set trends and instantly become classics.  And for the brides who wore them, there simply could have been no other gown. Each dress was her perfect choice.

While pouring over acres of organza and vintage lace isn't exactly the edgiest of fashion pursuits, even the most stone-hearted of cynics will admit that there's still something captivating about the idea of the big white dress - particularly when the dress in question is worn by a Hollywood A-lister or a real life princess.

From traditional styles like Audrey Hepburn's demure Balmain and Grace Kelly's high-necked lace to Solange's rule-breaking white jumpsuit and Bianca Jagger's nonchalant YSL skirt-suit, the best wedding outfits are unforgettable, influencing our own bridal get-ups for years to come. We could look at beautiful wedding gowns all day, every day, and this collection has some stunners. Make sure to have a wedding dress restoration and order your wedding dress preservation kit to preserve your most valuable dresses like the dresses below.

Call us hopeless romantics, but we've delved through the archives to bring you some of the most iconic wedding dresses of all time. And yes, Kate Middleton gets a mention.

For her first wedding to Conrad Hilton, Elizabeth Taylor wore a traditional off-the-shoulder gown designed by MGM costumier Helen Rose - the designer responsible for Grace Kelly's wedding dress.

Gwen Stefani's pink and white ombré-effect bridal gown (worn for her 2002 wedding to Gavin Rossdale) was designed by John Galliano. She later donated it to London's Victoria and Albert museum, describing it as 'a piece of art.'

Mia Farrow opted for the clean lines and simple silhouette of a skirt suit for her 1966 wedding to Frank Sinatra, perfectly complimenting her iconic Sixties pixie crop.

We couldn't not include Mariah's characteristically dramatic bridal gown (complete with tiara), worn for her first wedding in 1993. Designed by Vera Wang, the $25,00 style was reportedly inspired by Princess Diana's wedding dress.

Keira Knightley wore a knee-skimming tulle dress by Chanel couture for her low-key wedding to musician James Righton in 2013. Knightley chose to wear a dress she already owned (from the fashion house's S/S'06 collection) - and has since re-worn it for red carpet appearances. Well, if the dress fits.

Princess Margaret chose a silk organza gown by Norman Hartnell - the designer behind the wedding and coronation dresses of her sister, Queen Elizabeth - for her wedding in 1960. The tailored shape and lack of embellishment (a striking departure from previous royal wedding styles) lead Life magazine to crown it 'the simplest royal wedding gown in history.'

Jacky Kennedy's traditional wedding dress was designed by Ann Lowe, a designer favoured by American high society, and was made from nearly 50 ft of ivory silk taffeta.

Was there ever a more perfect wedding dress than Kate Moss's bias-cut, Thirties-inspired slip of a gown, custom made by her friend John Galliano? The designer later described the process of making Kate's dress as his 'creative rehab.'

For her wedding to Alan Ferguson in 2014, Solange Knowles side-stepped bridal traditions by opting for a structured cream jumpsuit by Stéphane Rolland.

It was the most talked about wedding dress of the century: Kate Middleton wore a long-sleeved Alexander McQueen gown, designed by creative director Sarah Burton, for her wedding to Prince William in 2011.

Designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose, Grace Kelly's high-necked, long-sleeved gown was a clear inspiration for Kate Middleton's wedding dress. Worn for her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainer of Monaco, it was fashioned from 25 yards of silk taffeta, one hundred yards of silk net, and Brussels rose point lace.

 

Princess Diana's 1981 wedding dress is still one of the most famous bridal styles of all time. The fairytale gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was fashioned from ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, which had belonged to Queen Mary. The 25 foot train posed something of a problem, barely fitting into Diana's wedding carriage.