For many brides, one wedding gown seems more than plenty to say the big ‘I Do’. But for others – mainly, celebrity brides – it’s an occasion to show off your fashion best, opting for not one, not two, sometimes not even three, but up to six different wedding outfits to ring in the special day. And with the world’s most sought-after designer’s at your fingertips and all the means to do so, why wouldn’t you opt for a little extra flair?
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From tulled ballgowns for the formal celebrations to slinky spaghetti-strapped numbers paired with sneakers to finish off the night, when it comes to celebrity brides one outfit just wasn’t enough. Below, we roundup all the celebs – from Meghan Markle to Gwyneth Paltrow – who swapped out their designer gowns for everything from unconventional jumpsuits and avant-garde mini dresses.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley famously married James Righton in a low-key ceremony back in May 2013, with photographs of her recycled Chanel wedding dress earning the British actress serious kudos. But even the most self-confessed fans may be surprised to learn that the couple also threw second nuptials.
Following their intimate South of France wedding in Mazan, the A-list couple said their vows once more in a still undisclosed location. According to report, the Love Actually actress wore a bespoke Valentino haute couture gown (which still, has yet to be revealed).
Teasing details of the never-before-seen dress, Knighteley reportedly showed the Elle UK team a photograph. “It has long, layered lace skirts and tiny pink flowers embroidered all over it,” the report read. “She wore it ‘for the ceremony we had just for our friends, in a wood, because you have to have flowers on a dress in a wood.'”
She also later told marie claire UK, “It’s not ballgown, but it had a bit of a train. Unless I just wear it again and ruin it, like a party somewhere. Or maybe somebody could organise a wedding dress party, like in Friends. Yeah, that’s quite cool.”
For the first nuptials, the actress wore a strapless Chanel tulle dress which she’s also worn on the red carpet. Who said you couldn’t wear your wedding dress more than once?
Kate Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge’s Alexander McQueen gown is arguably considered ‘the most famous wedding dress in history’ (minus that of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana’s). But, what some royal fans might not know is that following her 2011 royal wedding to Prince William, Kate changed into a second, more understated gown for their reception.
Also by Alexander McQueen, the second dress featured a simple satin fabric, a circle skirt cinched with a diamonte belt and a sweetheart neckline. She finished the look off with a cropped cardigan.
Chrissy Teigen
While Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are known for their witty social media banter and adorable kids, their 2013 wedding in Italy should be filed under ‘why we love this couple so much.’ Deciding on a destination wedding in Lake Como (you know, where George and Amal Clooney live), the couple said “I do” in 2014 and for the special day, Chrissy looked to iconic wedding dress designer Vera Wang.
Over the course of the day, the Cravings By Chrissy founder opted for three incredible gowns. For the ceremony, she wore an ivory strapless tulle skirted ball gown – which looked straight out of a fairytale, and for the reception, she changed into two strapless mermaid gowns – one in traditional white and one in red.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey and Justin Bieber, who first tied the knot at a New York City courthouse in September 2018, held their proper wedding at the Montage Palmetto Bluff, a private 20,000 acre estate which sits beside the May River, in 2019. The property boasts two chapels, the smaller May River Chapel and the Sommerset Chapel, which can seat up to 185 guests and is where the famous pair chose to say “I do.”
For the couple’s wedding ceremony, the bride wore an incredible Off-White gown designed by Virgil Abloh, which featured an embroidered veil with the special message: “Till Death Do Us Part”.
Later in the evening, Bieber changed into a custom Ralph & Russo design which featured a daring thigh-high split and halterneck. She paired the dress with Jimmy Choo sandals and kept her hair pulled back into a bun.
Her last look was a Vera Wang slip dress with spaghetti straps, and proving she’s the cool-girl bride, Bieber pared it back with sneakers (presumably, for ultimate dancing comfort).
Meghan Markle
While Meghan Markle’s Givenchy wedding gown, designed by Claire Waight Keller, was stunning, her reception dress proved she was every bit the modern royal bride. While exiting Windsor Castle to attend her wedding reception following her and Prince Harry’s royal wedding, the Duchess of Sussex opted for a sleek number created by Stella McCartney.
The white silk evening gown featured a chic high neck and soft flowing skirt and small train, which Meghan held up as she got into a vintage sports car with Prince Harry. These still remain the only photographs the couple has released from their wedding reception. The royal wore a pair of pointed Aquazurra silky satin and nude mesh heels with baby blue soles.
Meghan also showed off her ‘something blue’, an emerald-cut aquamarine ring belonging to the late Princess Diana. It was part of a two-piece set including an aquamarine bracelet with five strands of pearls, and as People reports, Diana wore both to a Victor Chang Research Institute gala in Australia in 1996.
Solange
Solange Knowles wore a total of five avant-garde outfits during her wedding to Alan Ferguson in New Orleans in 2014, which included three jumpsuits by designer Stéphane Rolland. On the way to the wedding, which the couple biked too (yes, really!), the bride wore a cream-coloured cape number.
For the ceremony, she wore a stunning caped gown from Humberto Leon by Kenzo which was paired with massive Lady Grey gold cuffs.
Princess Eugenie
For her 2019 wedding to partner Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie wore a long-sleeved gown by Peter Piloto, which featured a fitted bodice, full skirt, and low back to the couple’s ceremony.
Later in the day, the royal changed into a second dress for her evening reception, choosing a silk, blush Zac Posen gown with long sleeves and a full, pleated skirt.
The stunning gown was filled with symbolism, too. According to the designer, he drew inspiration from “the beauty of Windsor and the surrounding countryside” where the wedding took place. The pale pink coloure represented the “blush of an English rose,” and incorporated details from the family’s White Rose of York.
Kaley Cuoco
In 2018, Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook tied the knot in a dreamy horse-themed wedding at a stable near San Diego, California. The bride wore two looks, opting for a lace Reem Acra gown complete with a cape to say ‘I do’ to her partner of two years before changing into a lace jumpsuit by Tadashi Shoji for the reception.
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ five-day wedding extravaganza included more outfit changes than we could count. Of those, the bride’s incredible second Ralph Lauren wedding dress.
For their traditional Western ceremony, Chopra wore a custom dress by Ralph Lauren – who had only ever made wedding gowns for his daughter, daughter-in-law and his niece – which featured floral and scroll motifs, lace-effect tulle appliqués, scalloped sleeves and a high-neck collar. People reports that it took 1,826 hours to create.
After the ceremony, Chopra changed into another white Ralph Lauren wedding dress for the reception, this time a body-hugging, halterneck design, with a low back and a beaded cape. Neither the bride or groom has posted images from their reception – or Chopra’s second gown – but here’s hoping we’re given a full-length look at the design soon.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow tied the knot to TV writer Brad Falchuck in an intimate ceremony in the Hamptons in 2018. And for the occasion, the Goop founder wore two stunning looks. For the ceremony, Paltrow wore a custom Valentino gown, which feature lace appliqués over a nude lining, cap sleeves, a fuller skirt, and a keyhole cutout back. The actress wore a simple tulle veil and her hair in her signature loose waves.
Later in the evening, Paltrow wore a short, white jumpsuit by Stella McCartney with cape detailing.
Ellie Goulding
Ellie married long-time boyfriend Caspar Jopling at York Minster Cathedral, England, walking down the aisle in a stunning Victoriana gown by Chloé. Designed by Natacha Ramsay Levi, it featured a high ruffled collar and full-length sleeves with hand-embroidered white roses and delicate glass beads. Along with the long veil and voluminous train, it was all very regal.
During the pre-reception drinks, Ellie wore a white Stella McCartney dress that was sleek, sophisticated but had a high slit with diamond-studded edging for a modern twist. This time she opted for off-the-shoulder sleeves. She even changed her earrings, swapping out her pearl drop earrings from the ceremony for diamond chandelier earrings that popped against her otherwise-simple look.
Ellie wrapped up the night with a winged Balmain mini dress.
