George Boyle
Princesses, both real and fictional, have often been trendsetters and cultural icons when it comes to wedding dresses. From Princess Diana's awe-inspiring wedding ensemble, which included a 25-foot-long train and a veil adorned with mother-of-pearl sequins, to Kate Middleton's regal lace details and long train, real-life princesses have captivated the world with their bridal style. Similarly, fictional princesses like Cinderella, Belle, and Tiana from Disney have left a lasting impression with their enchanting wedding gowns, often characterised by ball gown silhouettes and fairy-tale elements. Princesses from different cultures, such as Princess Noriko of Japan, have also showcased the beauty of traditional ancient wedding clothes on their special day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Princess Diana's Wedding Dress | Silk-and-taffeta wedding dress hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and a 25-foot-long train |
| Princess Diana's Veil | Sequined tulle creating a "fairy dust effect" |
| Princess Diana's Bouquet | Cascading bouquet of gardenias, stephanotis, freesias, orchids, lily of the valley, Earl Mountbatten roses, ivy, veronica, and myrtle |
| Princess Noriko's Wedding Dress | Traditional ancient Japanese formal wedding clothes |
| Disney Princess Wedding Dresses | Ball gown silhouettes with pick-ups or tulle skirts, and corset bodices |
| Belle's Wedding Dress | Floral details, nice cut, and colour-changing fabric |
| Cinderella's Wedding Dress | Spectacular, less flashy than her blue ball gown |
| Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress | Lace details and long train |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wore an unforgettable wedding dress when she married her prince, Prince William, on a glorious spring day in 2011. The dress was designed by English designer Sarah Burton, the creative director of the luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen. Burton's work first came to Middleton's notice in 2005 when she attended the wedding of Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Burton had designed the bridal gown for Bowles' bride, fashion journalist Sara Buys.
The dress was a fitted white V-neck gown with a long-sleeved lace overlay and a nearly nine-foot-long train. The lace appliqué bodice was decorated with gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops. The skirt was made of ivory and white satin gazar arches and pleats, designed to echo an opening flower. The dress was influenced by the traditional Carrickmacross lace-making technique, with floral motifs cut out of lace produced on large 19th-century machines and stitched to machine net. The majority of the dress was made using Solstiss lace, specifically the skirt and train. The lace bodice echoed that worn by Grace Kelly for her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956.
The dress was well-received by fashion experts and was noted for its blend of tradition and modernity. It was also expected to influence Western bridal gown trends, with replicas of the dress being produced and sold. The original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace, breaking royal records. Burton shared that it was the experience of a lifetime to work with Middleton and that she was proud of the dress, which represented the best of British craftsmanship.
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Disney princesses' wedding dresses
One of the most well-known Disney princesses, Cinderella, wears a spectacular wedding dress. The live-action version of Cinderella features a blue ball gown, while her wedding dress is a bit more subdued, but still breathtaking. Similarly, Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" does not have an actual wedding scene, but she does wear a gold ball gown in a celebration scene at the end of the movie, which could be interpreted as a wedding. In the live-action version, Belle's wedding dress is described as simple yet elegant and timeless, with floral details and lovely hair.
Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog" has not one, but two wedding scenes. She first marries her prince as a frog, wearing a stunning sparkly gown, and then as a human in a stylish 1920s wedding dress. Princess Aurora's wedding scene is also notable, as her gown changes colour as she dances, thanks to the fairies.
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Princess Diana's wedding dress
The dress was first worn by Lady Diana Spencer when she married Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral. The dress set wedding fashion trends, with large puffed sleeves, full skirts, and soft-touch fabrics becoming popular. It was considered a "gold standard" in wedding fashion in the years after the wedding, with Elizabeth Emanuel noting in 2011 that she still received requests for replicas of the dress. The dress toured for many years with the exhibition "Diana: A Celebration", with Althorp House in Northampton being the prime display location. In 2018, Time magazine chose the dress as one of the "Most Influential British Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time".
The design process for the dress was not without its challenges. Fittings were difficult because Diana had developed bulimia and dropped from a size 14 to a size 10 in the months leading up to the wedding. The designers also had to wait until the final fitting at Buckingham Palace to fully show Diana her dress and unravel the 25-foot train. Despite the challenges, the dress turned out to be a stunning and iconic creation that has left an enduring legacy in the world of fashion and royalty.
In addition to her awe-inspiring wedding dress, Princess Diana also wore a cascading bouquet of flowers, including gardenias, stephanotis, freesias, orchids, lily of the valley, Earl Mountbatten roses, ivy, veronica, and myrtle, following a royal wedding tradition. Her fashion accessories included a veil made of tulle, which was 153 yards long and also featured the mother-of-pearl sequins, creating a fairy dust effect as she walked down the aisle. Overall, Princess Diana's wedding ensemble has rightfully earned its place as one of the most iconic and trendsetting bridal looks of all time.
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Traditional wedding dresses of Japanese princesses
The traditional dress of Japanese princesses is a reflection of the country's rich cultural history and has evolved over time, influenced by various factors such as class, customs, and Western trends. During the Edo period (1603–1868), the attire of an imperial princess was formal and elegant, as depicted in the Hyakunin Jorō Shina sadame, a work by the artist Nishikawa Sukenobu in 1723. The princess is shown wearing a formal costume known as "hosonaga".
In modern times, the dress of Japanese princesses and other female members of the Imperial family continues to be modest and conservative compared to their European counterparts. They are often dressed in long-sleeved, high-neck gowns that show little skin, known as "robe montante". This style of dress is typically worn on formal occasions when the Emperor wears his morning coat. The "robe decollete", on the other hand, is a long, low-cut dress with short sleeves, worn by princesses at certain events such as weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies.
The colour and style of these dresses can vary, with white or soft pastel hues being a common choice for formal events, often paired with a tiara, medal, and long white gloves. The nagabakama, a type of traditional trouser, is also worn, with unmarried princesses donning a dark shade of purple, while the wives of other imperial family members wear scarlet.
The dresses of Japanese princesses are designed by renowned fashion designers, such as Jun Ashida, who created elegant clothing for Empress Michiko and Crown Princess Masako, including her wedding dress. Masako Owada's ensemble for her engagement announcement was designed by Atelier Tsunoda Akemi, showcasing a yellow dress and coat, with matching heels and a hat designed by Les Belles Modes.
While the dresses of Japanese princesses are traditionally modest, there is a growing influence from Western fashion, particularly in the post-Meiji era, when Japan rapidly adopted Western trends. This blend of sophistication, fairy-tale appeal, and playful elements creates a unique style that is fit for modern princesses.
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Cinderella's wedding dress
The style of Cinderella's wedding dress is often based on her iconic ball gown, with shimmering tulle and short babydoll dresses that showcase the bride's radiance. Cinderella-inspired wedding dresses can also come in a variety of designs and skirt lengths, from lavish diamond embellishments to playful yet elegant options. Cinderella-style ball gowns are a popular way to achieve that fairy tale feel.
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons offers an enchanting collection of gowns inspired by Cinderella, allowing brides to turn their fairy tale dreams into reality. Cinderella-style wedding dresses are also available at online bridal shops like ieie Bridal and Olivia Bottega, the latter of which offers custom sizes and free shipping.
While Cinderella's wedding dress in the live-action movie is not as flashy as her blue ball gown, it is still spectacular. The dress is simple yet elegant and timeless, capturing the essence of a fairy tale wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The silk-and-taffeta wedding dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and had a 25-foot-long train.
The Princess of Wales wore a dress designed by Sarah Burton at Givenchy, who also designed Kate’s wedding dress when she was at Alexander McQueen.
Princess Noriko wore traditional ancient Japanese formal wedding clothes when she married Kunimaro Senge.
Disney princesses are synonymous with modern ideas of fairy-tale weddings. Some iconic Disney princess wedding dresses include Cinderella's blue ball gown, Tiana's sparkly gown, and Belle's floral wedding dress.
