Classic Royal Wedding Dresses for Your Inspiration

Lady Diana Spencer

Considered the most watched wedding in history, the dress is also considered the most famous. The ivory confection had a 25-foot train, as well as six various fabrics in the dress itself. The puffy sleeves might be laughed about today, but the rest of the dress is still just as stunning as it was back then. It cost about $14,000 in 1981: No small change!

Princess Victoria

This royal wedding dress made its debut in June 2010, and featured a sweet off-the-shoulder neckline, a turned-out collar, a v-shaped back and a train that flowed from the waist, not the shoulder! The tiara was the finishing touch, of course; what else would be expected of a princess?

Princess Maxima

In 2002 the former banker married her prince in a lavish ceremony in the Netherlands. The future queen wore an ivory silk gown with long sleeves, lace insets and an interesting stand-up collar. Her lace veil echoed the insets and the diamond tiara made her look like a princess indeed.

Queen Rania

This queen of Jordan got married after less than a year of courtship, but her royal wedding dress didn’t suffer for it! The short-sleeved gown was trimmed with gold details, especially around the collar, and even her shoes had the same careful gold trim. By contrast, her veil was extremely simple tulle and silk. Her hair took center stage, though –the up-do was so elaborate that she had trouble fitting into vehicles that day.

Crown Princess Marie-Chantal

This beauty married Prince Pavlos of Greece in a stunning royal wedding dress that featured layers of silk and hand-stitched embroidery, a peek-a-boo bodice and a quite elaborate veil, fastened with a diamond tiara that was handed down from her mother-in-law.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

This beautiful single mother wed her prince in Norway in 2001 and kept her choice of royal wedding dresses delightfully simple: the gown was made of silk crepe and tulle, and had a very elegant design, with long sleeves and a modest yet long train. Her long blonde hair was pulled back with a stunning antique tiara, a gift from her new in-laws.

Princess Madeleine

This sister to princess Victoria chose to wear Valentino – one that was created by the designer, who stepped out of retirement just for her. The dress was made of pleated silk organza and trimmed with Chantilly lace. The train was long and luscious, and the short-sleeved confection as designed as to show off the jewelry the bride wore on the big day.

Camilla Parker Bowles

And now for something a little less striking but still beautiful, the knee-length cream silk chiffon dress worn by the bride of Prince Charles. It was perfect for the small town hall civil ceremony, with few embellishments aside from her fancy straw hat, which was laid with ivory lace and feathers.

The Illusion Dress

What makes this dress so special? It’s the top – the peek-a-boo bodice and the illusion cap sleeves that make it appear from a distance as though the bride is wearing a confection that is impossible to hold up. The effect is stunning, especially when paired with a flowing veil. The dress has a fitted waist and then flows outward into an embellished skirt with a short train. The back is stunning with very intricate details, making this a good option for those who will wear their hair in an up-do. Expect to pay around $1,800 to wear this simplest of royal wedding dresses.

See details from David's Bridal.

The Princess Dress

This very simple dress is sleeveless, which allows plenty of room for the bride to choose a nice jacket or a wider tiara and veil that gently brushes over her bare shoulders. The waist is highlighted with three tiers of silk, but otherwise the dress is entirely unembellished. The back is where this dress shines, as it has a criss-cross design and a small, elegant bow of silk. It will set you back about $1,300. As an added bonus, it actually has pockets!

See details from Pronovias. 

The Pleasant Dress

As royal wedding dresses go, this one takes the cake. With elbow-length sleeves, delicate and intricate lace appliqués and an off-the-shoulder design, the dress is a stunning work of art. The tulle skirt is gathered at the waist to form a sleek silhouette, then opens up into a riot of lace. The back is almost open, with generous lace all the way down. This dress is a show-stopper at almost $2,000; a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

See details from Pronovias. 

The Ball Gown

This stunning dress has a ball gown silhouette with surprising long, drape sleeves and a cathedral train. The satin elegance is perfect for those who want to pair with a long silk veil and possibly a tiara of rhinestones or silk embroidery that mimics the designs of the dress. At just over $200, it’s also quite affordable for the bride who wants to look beautiful but doesn’t want to go broke.

You can have this special dress customized!