Deborah Chan
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000, or $265,000 to $500,000. The exact amount remains undisclosed, but the high cost is attributed to the use of premium fabrics, such as double-bonded silk cady and triple silk organza, the 3,900 hours spent embroidering the veil, and the bespoke design. Markle's dress, with its minimalist design, has become an iconic piece in bridal fashion history, setting trends and inspiring millions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Wedding dress style | Minimalist design, featuring a boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a 16-foot cathedral veil |
| Fabric | Double-bonded silk cady with an underskirt made of triple silk organza |
| Cost | Estimated between £110,000 and £387,000, or $265,000 to $500,000 |
| Payment | Meghan Markle personally paid for the dress, following royal tradition |
| "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" | Fabric from Diana's wedding gown (old); her bracelet and earrings (new); the Queen's tiara (borrowed); fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Harry (blue) |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress epitomised "a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic house". Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses: Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy. She chose Keller due to the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour.
The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers. There were only five months to manufacture the dress and the veil, and Waight Keller and Markle met for eight fittings. The gown was made of double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. The simplicity of the dress was complemented by a 16-foot cathedral veil, which was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, honouring Meghan's home state. The veil also included a piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry.
The dress is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000, with some estimates placing the cost at closer to $400,000 or even $500,000. The exact amount remains undisclosed. Meghan Markle personally paid for her wedding dress, which is standard practice in royal weddings.
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The dress's cost
The dress cost
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000, or $265,000 to $500,000. The exact amount remains undisclosed. The bride traditionally pays for her dress in royal weddings, and Meghan, who had the funds to do so from her career as an actor, personally paid for the gown.
The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. Markle chose Waight Keller because she admired the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it. Markle and Waight Keller worked closely together to design the dress, which featured a boat neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. The dress was crafted from double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. The veil, which featured intricate embroidery, took 3,900 hours to make.
The dress's high cost can be attributed to several factors, including the use of premium fabrics, the extensive hand-embroidered veil, and the custom nature of the gown, which involved multiple fittings and personalised design elements.
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Who paid for the dress
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000, or $265,000 to $500,000. The exact amount remains undisclosed. However, it was Meghan Markle herself who paid for the wedding dress. This aligns with royal tradition, as the bride usually pays for her dress. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also paid for her own wedding dress.
Markle, a former actress, certainly had the funds to pay for the dress. She chose designer Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy, to create her wedding dress due to the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers. There was only five months to have the dress and the veil manufactured, and Waight Keller and Markle met for eight fittings.
The gown was crafted from double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. The simplicity of the dress was complemented by a 16-foot cathedral veil, which was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, honouring Meghan’s home state. The veil also included a piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry as her "something blue".
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The dress's design and style
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, became an iconic piece in bridal fashion history. The gown was noted for its minimalist design, featuring a bateau or boat neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. It was crafted from double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. The simplicity of the dress was complemented by a 16-foot (or 25-foot, according to another source) cathedral veil, which was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, honouring Meghan's home state. The veil also featured a piece of fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry as her "something blue".
The dress epitomised "a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier", according to a Kensington Palace announcement. The dress was made in Paris by "a small team of ateliers", with only five months to manufacture it.
Waight Keller stated that the dress sought to "convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts", while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The designer was chosen because Meghan wanted to "highlight the success of a leading British talent who has now served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses – Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy".
The dress was also compared to those worn by Angela Brown at her wedding to Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000, and Mary Donaldson at her wedding to Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004. It was also likened to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.
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The dress's accessories
The dress accessories.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress accessories were carefully chosen to align with her personal style and the overall theme of the royal wedding. Here are the details about the accessories that complemented her iconic bridal ensemble:
Veil: Meghan's veil was a stunning 16-foot-long cathedral veil, embroidered with intricate details. It featured flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, honouring the couple's interest in the Commonwealth. Additionally, it included the California poppy, a nod to Meghan's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace, where the couple resided. The veil took 3,900 hours of hand embroidery, adding to the overall craftsmanship and cost of the ensemble.
Tiara: Meghan borrowed the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara from Queen Elizabeth II's collection. This exquisite headpiece added a regal touch to her bridal look.
Jewellery: Meghan's jewellery choices were also significant. She wore a bracelet and earrings as her "something new," adding a touch of sparkle to her ensemble. These accessories complemented the simplicity of her dress and veil, creating a cohesive and elegant bridal style.
Shoes: While the specific details of Meghan's wedding shoes are not widely known, it is safe to assume that they were chosen to complement the elegance and simplicity of her overall ensemble.
Second Reception Dress Accessories: Meghan Markle surprised everyone by changing into a second dress for the evening royal reception hosted by King Charles III at Frogmore House. She wore a stunning Stella McCartney high-neck, halter-neck sheath gown. This modern and refined look may have been accessorised with subtle earrings or other jewellery to complete her reception ensemble.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000. The exact amount remains undisclosed.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of double-bonded silk cady with an underskirt in triple silk organza.
