Luxury ball gown wedding dresses.
The only thing that tops being a bride is being a royal bride. Whether it’s a painting of a 17th-century Queen on her wedding day, or the live coverage of the 21st-century ones, the portrait of a woman in her luxury ball wedding gown, adorned with stunning jewellery, and unmatched grace captures us for years to come. What is it about them that’s so fascinating? Is it the sheer grandeur of a royal wedding? Is it the diamond tiaras or is it the bespoke outfits made using the finest lace, organza, and tulle that money can buy? We haven’t quite found the answer, but in the meanwhile, we’re perfectly happy to hope that the weddings we’re part of have a touch of what’s truly regal.
On that wistful note, here is a roundup of some of the most stunning royal looks that have inspired millions of brides worldwide; some classic and some not quite, but still beautiful.
Lace and pearls are a quintessential wedding must-have and these brides have stuck by the classics. One of the most recent bridal wedding gowns that was a blend of the old and new was Kate Middleton’s bespoke Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen in 2011. The number had a structured bodice, full lace sleeves, organza-covered buttons, and an eight-foot-long train! The lace ball gown wedding dress was handmade and then appliquéd with hand-cut individual flowers.
Another bride who went the oft-travelled lace route was Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark. At her wedding in 2010 to Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark, Tatiana wore a Chantilly lace and tulle gown by Angel Sanchez. This fine French lace is usually hand-woven and has a timeless elegance to it.
We also love the dress chosen by Princess Marie of Denmark. Marie Cavallier’s dress was delicate, feminine, and structured, which are all are favorite words. The gown was crafted using Calais lace in a floral pattern and featured a lace bodice, three-quarter lace sleeves, and a flowing skirt with lace overlay. As a nod to her heritage, the gown was lined with ivory silk faille from a lace maker in the Loire Valley. She had accessorized the look with diamond drops and a floral tiara to boot.
But enough about tradition.
Several royal brides have decided to stand out with their sartorial choices, either embracing minimalist structures or choosing to honor a past victory. A backless wedding gown is not something immediately associated with royal brides, but Princess Eugenie made it work for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in 2018. She had a custom-made Peter Pilotto and Christoper de Vos that was simple and structured, built to show off her scar from a scoliosis surgery.
However, if high-necked wedding gown dresses are more your thing, then maybe you should take a look at the wedding gown chosen by Queen Máxima of The Netherlands in 2002. She wore a long sleeve sheath dress that showed her figure to perfection. The high neckline only emphasized the gorgeousness of the fabric, while the lace veil broke the monotony and stood for something fun yet timeless.
