Junior Rasmussen
There was much speculation about how much Meghan Markle's wedding dress would cost in the lead-up to her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Rumours spread that the bride would wear a custom Ralph & Russo Couture gown costing approximately £100,000 (about $135,600). While the royal family was expected to cover the cost of Meghan's dress, there was a risk of public outcry if too much taxpayer money was spent. Ultimately, the dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, and it is unclear how much it cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Grace Loves Lace, Horrocks Vale Collections, Ralph & Russo, Givenchy, Stella McCartney |
| Price | Approximately £100,000 (about $135,600) |
| Fabric | Superfine delicate French lace, floral features, dainty glass beads, fine dots, double-bonded silk, silk cady, silk and organza, satin, merino wool |
| Style | Long sleeves, short sleeves, bell sleeves, high scoop neckline, bateau neckline, A-line skirt, horsehair hem |
| Production Time | 6 months |
| Alterations | Hem adjustments, strap shortening, minor adjustments |
| Sizes | 8-18, custom |
| Colors | Parchment, winter white |
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What You'll Learn
- Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
- The dress was made of double-bonded silk with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves
- The royal family paid for Meghan's dress, which cost around $135,600
- Meghan's 5-metre-long veil featured embroidered flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth
- The Grace Loves Lace 'Megan' dress is a popular choice for brides seeking a blend of elegance and comfort
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
Waight Keller discussed designing Markle's dress in a pooled interview two days after the wedding:
> I think she [Markle] loved the fact that I was a British designer and working in a house such as Givenchy, which has its roots in a classical, beautiful style from the time of Hubert [de Givenchy] himself.
Waight Keller also 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 Duchess of Sussex chose Waight Keller to design her dress due to the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". Markle also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who had served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses: Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy.
Waight Keller's relationship with the Duchess of Sussex extended beyond the wedding day. She dressed Meghan for Ascot, the trooping of the colour ceremony, and Remembrance Sunday. When Waight Keller won the British Designer of the Year award in 2018, it was presented by the Duchess, who made a surprise appearance while heavily pregnant and wearing a black, off-the-shoulder Givenchy dress.
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The dress was made of double-bonded silk with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves
The wedding dress of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was a stunning example of haute couture. The dress was made of double-bonded silk, a fabric chosen by Meghan Markle and her designer, Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy. The fabric was the result of "extensive research" by Keller in fabric mills throughout Europe. The silk cady features a soft matte lustre, while the bonding process and pure white colour chosen give the dress a fresh modernity. The bateau, or boat, neckline gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. The slim three-quarter-length sleeves add a refined modern touch. The dress also features six "meticulously placed seams" and an underskirt in triple silk organza.
The dress was designed with the "heritage" of the Givenchy house in mind and was created by the acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller, who was reportedly a personal friend of Markle. The dress was designed to be "reflective of the world" and to stand the test of time as it would be "featured in the history books". The dress was rumoured to cost approximately £100,000 (about $135,600), though the exact figure was never revealed. The dress was paid for by the royal family, though Markle may have contributed as well, given her independent wealth.
The dress was put on display in October 2018 at the "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex" exhibit at Windsor Castle, where viewers could listen to audio clips of Meghan discussing her wedding look. The dress was also accompanied by a 5-metre-long veil, which featured embroidered flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as two flowers with personal meaning: Wintersweet, which is grown outside her Nottingham Cottage home with Prince Harry, and the California Poppy, the state flower from her place of birth. The veil also included "crops of wheat [...] to symbolise love and charity" and a "something blue" detail: a piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry.
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The royal family paid for Meghan's dress, which cost around $135,600
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was paid for by the royal family, costing around $135,600. The dress was designed by acclaimed British designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy, with the "heritage" of the fashion house in mind. The dress featured an open bateau neckline, emphasising the slender sculpted waist, and extended towards the back, where the train flowed in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The silk cady fabric had a soft matte lustre, chosen by both Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller, bringing a fresh modernity to the dress. The dress was also designed with six "meticulously placed seams" and featured slim three-quarter sleeves.
The royal family's decision to pay for the dress was announced after the engagement, with Kensington Palace clarifying that they would cover the bill for the ceremony, including Meghan's dress. While there was no set budget for royal wedding gowns, royal expert Melanie Bromley noted that it would likely be expensive, stating, "it’s never going to be cheap." The high cost of the dress was further justified by the expectation that it would be "featured in the history books" and would need to "stand the test of time."
The total cost of Meghan's wedding dress was a fraction of the overall wedding cost, which was estimated to be under $50 million. This included about $40 million for security, a significant expense due to Harry's vulnerability as a former army member. The royal wedding attracted worldwide attention, with over 2 billion viewers tuning in to witness the historic exchange of vows between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan's wedding ensemble also included a 5-metre-long veil, which paid tribute to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, along with two personally significant flowers: Wintersweet and California Poppy. The veil, made of silk and organza, took hundreds of hours to sew, and workers had to wash their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine. Meghan's choice of designer was influenced by her desire to work with a female and British designer, ultimately selecting Waight Keller, with whom she developed a close personal relationship.
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Meghan's 5-metre-long veil featured embroidered flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was a topic of much speculation in the lead-up to her marriage to Prince Harry. Rumours spread that the dress would be a custom Ralph & Russo Couture gown costing approximately £100,000 (around $135,600). However, the final price tag was never revealed. While the royal family covered the wedding expenses, including the cost of Meghan's dress, it is likely that Meghan contributed some of her personal wealth to the dress's cost.
Meghan's veil, however, was another matter of interest. At five metres long, the veil featured embroidered flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. Each country's flower was hand-embroidered in silk threads and organza by workers from Givenchy, who spent hundreds of hours sewing the intricate designs. Meghan added personal touches to the veil, including Wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace, and the California Poppy, the state flower of California, where Meghan was born.
The veil was designed by Clare Waight Keller, who worked closely with Meghan to tell a "story" through the veil's design. Keller described how the idea came about: "We had different conversations back and forth, and I came up with the idea of maybe representing each of the countries, the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, through their flora and fauna... We both loved the story of that. It also meant that [each] one of those countries also journeyed up the aisle with her. It was a really poetic moment."
The veil was held in place by the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara, lent to Meghan by Queen Elizabeth. The tiara, made of diamonds and platinum, featured a detachable brooch of 10 brilliant diamonds. Meghan's choice to represent the Commonwealth through her veil was a special connection that not everyone appreciated. Some saw it as a well-intentioned gesture of equality and love, while others, particularly in India, viewed it as a reminder of colonialism and Britain's Imperial past.
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The Grace Loves Lace 'Megan' dress is a popular choice for brides seeking a blend of elegance and comfort
The Grace Loves Lace Megan dress is a popular choice for brides seeking a blend of elegance and comfort. This signature lace gown from the Australian bridal brand features intricate detailing, flowing silhouettes, and a relaxed, laid-back aesthetic. Founded in 2010 by designer Megan Ziems, Grace Loves Lace set out to create unique, luxurious bridal wear that empowers women. The brand quickly gained recognition for its innovative use of lace and commitment to craftsmanship, with their made-to-order gowns catering to a variety of personal styles and body types.
The Megan dress by Grace Loves Lace embodies the brand's signature style, offering a blend of elegance and comfort that has captured the hearts of many brides. This dress is a testament to the brand's expertise in creating luxurious bridal wear, showcasing their innovative use of lace and attention to detail. With its flowing silhouette and intricate detailing, the Megan dress provides a timeless and romantic look for the modern bride.
While the exact price of the Megan dress by Grace Loves Lace is not publicly available, it is likely a more affordable option compared to custom couture gowns. The average US bride spends around $1,564 on her bridal gown, according to The Knot. However, it's important to note that the cost of a wedding dress can vary depending on various factors, such as the materials used, the complexity of the design, and the level of customisation involved.
For brides who desire a similar blend of elegance and comfort as the Grace Loves Lace Megan dress, there are other options available as well. For instance, the Megan gown from Horrocks Vale Collections features delicate French lace with floral motifs and dainty glass beads. This made-to-order gown offers customisation options, allowing brides to provide their measurements for a perfect fit. Additionally, Elizabeth Cooper Design offers a customisable Megan wedding gown, featuring a fully lined lace bodice with a high scoop neckline and an A-line satin skirt.
Whether it's the Grace Loves Lace Megan dress or another option that captures a bride's heart, finding the perfect wedding dress is a deeply personal journey. With a variety of choices available, brides can embrace their unique style while feeling empowered and comfortable on their special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was rumoured to cost around £100,000 (approximately $135,600). However, the exact cost is unknown.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of double-bonded silk.
