George Boyle
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was one of the most anticipated elements of her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. The Duchess of Sussex wore a simple, pure white silk gown with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was estimated to cost $265,000 and paid for by the former Suits actress herself. Markle chose Waight Keller because she admired the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding Date | 19 May 2018 |
| Wedding Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Wedding Dress Designer | Givenchy |
| Dress Style | Simple, classic, elegant, minimal |
| Dress Details | Silk, bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, structured waistline, train with triple silk organza underskirt |
| Veil Details | 25-foot, lace-lined, embroidered with flowers representing the Commonwealth and Markle's home state of California |
| Second Dress Designer | Stella McCartney |
| Second Dress Style | Halter-neck, sheath gown, modern |
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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, the first female artistic director of Givenchy. Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British designer. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured a pure white sheen, an open bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The design process involved 3,900 hours of work for the veil, eight fittings, and five months of clandestine communication between Markle and Waight Keller.
Waight Keller described the dress as having "timeless minimal elegance" and sought to convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The dress was made of silk with a sculptural silhouette, reflecting Old Hollywood fare and the individualistic style of American royalty. The designer scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop a double-bonded silk cady fabric that would give the dress a soft matte, yet gracefully luminous effect. The gown's contoured silhouette was achieved using six meticulously placed seams, with the slim three-quarter sleeves adding a note of refined modernity.
The veil, which was 25 feet long, featured embroidery of flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. A piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry was also stitched into the veil. The dress and veil took a total of five months to manufacture.
Markle's choice of designer and style was a departure from traditional royal wedding fashion trends, as previous royal wedding gowns, such as those of Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, featured lace, volume, and embellishments. Markle's gown was noted for its simplicity and lack of decorations, reflecting American fashion's more practical and less adorned aesthetic.
For her reception, Markle changed into a high-neck, halter dress by Stella McCartney, bringing a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics. This second dress was also in line with Markle's personal aesthetic and her commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable fashion.
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The dress's style and fabric
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and was characterised by its simplicity and minimalism, marking a departure from previous royal wedding looks.
The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a soft matte but luminous effect. It featured six meticulously placed seams, constructing a contoured silhouette. The dress had an open bateau neckline, a small, rounded, neat shoulder, and three-quarter-length sleeves. The waist was slender and sculpted, with the lines of the dress extending towards the back, where the train flowed in soft round folds. The train was intensified with a triple silk organza underskirt, adding volume and movement.
The dress was designed to convey modernity and reflect the spirit and personality of the bride. The near-off-the-shoulder neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves added a contemporary and progressive feel while still respecting tradition. The overall effect was a timeless, minimalist elegance, with clean, sleek lines and sharp cuts.
For her reception, Markle changed into a second dress, a high-neck, halter-neck gown by Stella McCartney. This dress brought a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics, with its wholly modern and contemporary silhouette.
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The veil's design and meaning
The veil that Meghan Markle wore with her wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The veil was designed to complement the wedding dress, which featured a pure white sheen and a sleek, simple design. The veil was made of silk and was 25 feet long. It was embroidered with various flowers, including the California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. The veil also featured flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, reflecting the couple's interest in the work of the Commonwealth. Additionally, a piece of the blue dress that Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry was stitched into the bridal veil.
The veil's design was intended to be a modern take on traditional royal aesthetics. The embroidery of the flowers representing the Commonwealth countries added a unique and meaningful touch, showcasing the couple's appreciation for the community. The inclusion of the California poppy and the wintersweet flower from Kensington Palace added a personal element, honouring Markle's roots and the place she called home during her time as a royal.
The veil's length and lace trim added a sense of drama and elegance to the overall look. The silk fabric provided a soft and luminous effect, complementing the simplicity of the dress. The veil's design, with its intricate embroidery and personal touches, contributed to the overall elegance and symbolism of Markle's wedding ensemble.
The veil also held significant meaning for Markle and Prince Harry. By incorporating flowers from the Commonwealth countries, they showcased their support for and interest in the community they served. The veil, along with the dress, became a symbol of Markle's personal style and her journey as she joined the royal family. The veil's length and grandeur also reflected the grandeur of the royal wedding and the significance of the occasion.
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Meghan Markle's second wedding dress
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was designed to convey a sense of "modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts" while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house.
For her second wedding dress, Markle chose a stunning Stella McCartney halter-neck sheath gown. This dress brought a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics with its high halter neckline and sleeveless silhouette. The designer, Stella McCartney, is known for her eco-friendly fashion, vegan leathers, and sustainability, making her a perfect fit for the philanthropic Duchess of Sussex.
Markle's wedding dress choices were highly anticipated, with many wondering if she would follow royal wedding fashion trends or go in a different direction. Her decision to work with Waight Keller and McCartney defied traditional royal choices and showcased her personal style and interest in sustainability.
The Duchess of Sussex's wedding dresses became one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history, with her simple yet elegant and modern choices setting trends for years to come.
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The dress's cost and production
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers. It was constructed from double-bonded silk cady, with six meticulously placed seams, an open bateau neckline, structured three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train made of triple silk organza. The veil, which was 25 feet long, took 3,900 hours to design and was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
The dress's simplicity was a departure from previous royal wedding gowns, which have tended to feature lace, embroidery, and other embellishments. Markle's preference for a simple design may have been influenced by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who wore a similarly simple wedding gown in 1996. The dress also drew inspiration from classic Hollywood styles, such as the bateau-neck wedding dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.
The dress is estimated to have cost $265,000, which was paid for by Markle herself. The design process involved eight fittings and five months of clandestine communication and collaboration between Markle and the design team. Waight Keller described the process as "very collaborative" and an "extraordinary" experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was pure white, made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was described as having a "timeless minimal elegance" and was said to be inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's wedding dress.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
