Audrey Hepburn got married in pink, something the fashion world doesn’t seem to talk about enough. For her second wedding, to Andrea Dotti, the actor wore a blush-pink minidress by Givenchy paired with a matching scarf. The combination of the feminine hue, the shorter length, and the soft, romantic styling of the scarf became an instant source of inspiration for brides everywhere. Decades later, its influence still lingers in bridal fashion.
The color choice was very Hepburn. She was known for her elegant aesthetic and always understood the importance of personal style. But she wasn’t the only one who redefined bridal fashion. From Rita Hayworth to Julianne Moore, many famous brides have chosen to step away from classic white gowns and chosen individuality instead.
White wedding dresses may feel timeless, but the tradition actually begin later than you might think. Queen Victoria is largely credited with popularizing the color among brides; by the mid-20th century, the color white was a given among brides and no longer often reserved for just the upper class. More recently, çağdaş brides have started embracing more color in their wedding looks again. From soft pastels to bold statement hues, these unforgettable bridal moments prove that fashion’s most iconic wedding dresses aren’t always snowy white.
Here are a few famous brides who iconically chose to step away from the traditional white wedding gown and redefined bridal styling in the process.
Audrey Hepburn
The star of Breakfast at Tiffany’s married twice: Mel Ferrer in 1954, and Andrea Dotti in 1969. For her first wedding, she opted for a romantic and very classic white Pierre Balmain design. For her second wedding, however, she decided to take a style risk.
Hepburn and Dotti’s wedding took place on a cold January morning in Switzerland. She opted for a delicate pink knitted dress with a funnel neck and matching scarf by Givenchy. The shorter length dress caught many people by surprise as her previous wedding guest was more traditional. Audrey paired her dress with flats and a pair of tights.
Rita Hayworth
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe” is an old saying known to bring good luck to brides on their wedding day. Rita Hayworth’s bridal look is the perfect example of how to include something blue in an unexpected way.
After deciding to give up acting in 1948, Hayworth married Prince Aly Khan, son of Sultan Mohammed Shah, in a gorgeous wedding on the French Riviera. The celebration is most remembered for its lavish details, including more than 40 pounds of caviar and 600 bottles of champagne.
Hayworth’s trusted designer, Jacques Fath, who was responsible for many of her most iconic career looks, designed the light blue gown. Paired with the hat-like veil, the look feels both classic and just the right amount of surprising.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio got married in the winter of 1954 at San Francisco City Hall. It was an intimate civil ceremony that still managed to attract dozens of journalists.
Monroe’s wedding attire, from the silhouette to the color, is a great example of individuality when it comes to bridal looks. She swapped the classic wedding dress for a dark brown two-piece consisting of a skirt and a buttoned blouse, adding a touch of white with a mink collar. While it may seem unexpected today, during the first half of the 20th century, getting married in black was a common choice among members of the middle and lower classes.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was married eight times to seven different men, graciously giving us endless bridal inspiration, as each of her looks was so unique. It is difficult to choose the most memorable, but we’ll try.
After finalizing her first divorce, the actor said “I do” to Michael Wilding in 1952. For the occasion, she opted for a beautiful look designed by Helen Rose which featured an A-line skirt, a collared jacket, and an updo with floral details throughout. The collar was a perfect example of 1950s fashion.
Elizabeth Taylor (Again)
Elizabeth Taylor’s fourth wedding, to Eddie Fisher, took place just hours after his divorce from his previous wife, Debbie Reynolds, who had been a close friend of Taylor’s. All eyes were on the couple, as the pairing was considered quite scandalous at the time.
The ceremony was held at Temple Beth Shalom, and Elizabeth chose an elegant and unique moss green silk dress paired with a matching shawl worn as a hooded cape.
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Elizabeth Taylor (Yet Again)
Richard Burton was, in Elizabeth Taylor’s words, “the love of my life.” They married twice and adopted a daughter together.
For her first wedding to Burton, the actor chose what is undoubtedly her most iconic bridal look: a yellow silk dress designed by Irene Sharaff, who was also responsible for the costumes in Cleopatra, the sinema in which the two met. Along with the elegant bright-hued dress, Taylor’s floral hairstyle equally caught people’s attention. Alexandre de Paris, the bride’s hairdresser, added small orange blossoms throughout her hair.
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore married Bart Freundlich in a quiet civil ceremony in 2003. Moore wore a lilac lingerie dress by Prada to match his tie and shirt. To complete the look, she paired the dress with green Prada sandals.
Cynthia Bailey
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey married her now ex-husband, Peter Thomas, in the summer of 2010. For the event Bailey wore a gorgeous silver-gray gown designed by Rubin Singer.
The darker metallic color made a statement, and the oversized bow was the perfect touch. Bailey’s look reflected her signature style, balancing elegance and boldness.
Gwen Stefani
Punk-pop queen Gwen Stefani famously added a touch of pink to her dress for her wedding to Gavin Rossdale in 2002.
For the occasion, Stefani wore a pink dip-dyed gown designed by John Galliano, and the bright pink color choice showcased the singer’s rebellious personality perfectly.
A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Spain.
