The Best Onscreen Wedding Ensembles
Looking for bridal inspiration? Here’s a list of memorable wedding outfits that grace the big and small screen.
From East to West, Hollywood to Bollywood, we relived all our favorite reel life weddings and events and the memorable wedding dresses and gowns that have graced the silver screen.
2 States: Alia Bhatt’s South Indian Banarasi Lehenga
Sporting a scarlet banarasi lehenga designed by Manish Malhotra, Alia Bhatt’s wedding look comprised of a brocade lehenga skirt, a matching red dupatta, and a gold zardozi work silk blouse which looked absolutely stunning onscreen. And, adding a final flourish to her look were traditional jewelery pieces like the kamarbandh, kasu mala, and maang tikka that glimmered under the sunshine as she ascended the temple steps.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil : Anushka Sharma’s Timeless Nikaah Look
Replete with tradition and exuding elegant old-world charm, Anushka Sharma’s nikaah lehenga made heads turn as Ranbir Kapoor serenaded her with a romantic song. Created by Manish Malhotra the delicate salmon pink blouse complemented Anushka’s porcelain skin beautifully making its intricate gold embroidery stand out. Adding a final flourish and a pop of color to the look, however, was a bright red lehenga skirt and kundan-emerald encrusted necklace.
Jodha Akbar : Aishwarya Rai’s Rajputana Avatar
Simple yet bold, Aishwarya Rai’s Rajasthani bridal look in Jodha Akbar made jaws drop with its ornate jewelry and intricately embroidered blouse. But while a look like this may sound a bit much, Aishwarya pulled it off with absolute ease all thanks to the ‘no makeup’ look she sported in the movie.
Chennai Express: Deepika Padukone as the quintessential South Indian bride
With a red gold kanjeevaram silk saree draped around her, Deepika Padukone stole hearts with absolute ease as she dressed up as the traditional South Indian bride. In this look, everything was on point, from the pristine white mogra gajra to the ornate kamarbandh that cinched the saree together.
Veere Di Wedding: Kareena Kapoor’s urban bride look
Designed by the masters of Indian high fashion, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Kareena’s bridal look in Veere Di Wedding created waves and echoed instantly with modern-day brides who aren’t afraid to experiment. A mermaid cut lehenga with a pearl fringed off-shoulder top paired with a delicate floral hairband, this bridal look was traditional and yet, somehow also modern.
Tanu Weds Manu: Fearless Kangana’s equally fearless and bold Indian bride look
Vivacious, feisty, and desi to the very last inch, Kangana’s bridal look in this hit comedy not only went perfectly well with her character (a fearless small-town girl) but it also played with color flamboyantly pairing green, red and gold together. Modest yet flirty, her ensemble was accessorized with a bold maang tikka, several necklaces, and gold bangles.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani: Kalki Koechlin’s ruby red lehenga
Minimalist yet staying true to her traditional roots, Kalki Koechlin sported a Sabyasachi lehenga for her bridal look in the iconic Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Pairing her intricately embroidered lehenga with a tight choli that showed off her flat midriff, this look was accessorized by a simple kundan maang tikka, necklace, and bangles.
Panipat: Kriti Sanon’s traditional Maharashtrian bride Look
Luxurious and bold, Kriti Sanon’s portrayal as Parvatibai was perfectly complemented by her bridal look which included a rich emerald green and gold bordered saree accompanied with a bright red, zari embroidered shawl. Adding a final flourish to her look was a pearl mundavalya, ornate gold necklaces, several gold pins set in the bun, not to mention the signature bridal green bangles.
Raazi: Alia Bhatt’s vintage bridal sharara
Nothing can beat the classics and that is exactly what Alia Bhatt’s timeless nikaah sharara, an ensemble heavily inspired by the 70’s era, proved true. Deep, rich red in hue paired with a sheer pistachio green dupatta that went over her head, this look also included a passa, a maang tikka, nath and a stunning rani haar.
Gunday: Priyanka Chopra’s dazzling Bengali Banarasi
Dressed in a beloved red and gold banarasi saree and paired with the Bengali favorite puff sleeve blouse, this look knocked it out of the park with its sheer authenticity and simplicity. Accessorizing the look was an elegant topor, alta stained hands, a delicate maang tikka and brows adorned with intricate designs made with sandalwood paste.
The Great Gatsby: Daisy’s Art Deco gown
An extravagant Prada in pink tulle and lace turned Carey Mulligan’s Daisy into a dream as she stood alongside Leonardo DiCaprio’s mysterious Jay Gatsby. The wedding scene in the 2013 film adaptation of the F Scott Fitzgerald book, The Great Gatsby inspired brides everywhere to go Art Deco with their wedding gowns.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Katniss’ Futuristic gown
The frothy confection that Katniss wears for her interview with Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) is a futuristic strapless metal bodice, layered with silk, raw edge ruffles and embellished with Swarovski crystals. The dress weighed close to 25 pounds and costume designer Trish Summerville credited Jakarta designer Tex Saverio as the brainchild behind the design.
Bride Wars: Kate Hudson’s perfect Vera Wang gown
Costume designer Karen Patch explains, “The idea for her dress was that she was the iconic bride—the bride on the top of the wedding cake. She was the bride who could have anything she wanted.” Queen of the wedding dress, Vera Wang brought her trademark style to this strapless, drop-waist gown of Lyon and Chantilly lace with an appliquéd keyhole bodice and layered tulle skirt worn with a purple sash.
Sex and the City: Carrie’s (Mr) Big Dress
If you are going to get stood up at the altar, there is no better dress to do it in. SJP as Carrie Bradshaw hit all the style highs in a Vivienne Westwood ballgown in hues of cream and with that quintessential Westwood eye for edgy layers. The dress was from her Fall 2007 collection and was as spectacular as the glam fashionista.
Funny Face: Jo Stockton’s Tea-Length Ball gown
Audrey Hepburn’s Jo Stockton started a new trend of tea-length wedding dresses with this ethereal tulle skirt and bateau neckline from Givenchy. A bow-topped veil and classic flats finish off this feminine shape typical of the late 50’s.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1: Bella’s Wedding Dress
Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan went to her much anticipated vampire wedding to Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen in less than a gorgeous Carolina Herrera long-sleeved, fitted sheath made out of crepe satin. The ageless vampire-bride’s dress was embellished with gorgeous Chantilly lace embellishments and a sheer illusion back studded with 152 buttons.
Downton Abbey: Lady Mary Crawley’s gown
Caroline McCall, the costume designer for the British hit series designed the hand crafted dress Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) dons while walking down the aisle. Worn over a silk dress, silver lace tabard fabric forms a V at the back with tiny buttons. It recedes into a train, edged with tiny rice pearls and Swarovski crystal. Perfectly accessorizing this iridescent look was the £125,000, 35-karat diamond-encrusted, vintage floral wreath tiara created by the royal jewelers, Bentley & Skinner.
Gossip girl: Blair’s blue wedding dress
Gossip Girl fans will remember this gorgeous pale blue lace, hand-embellished Elie Saab gown from the designer’s spring 2012 couture collection that Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) wore to get married to Chuck in Central Park in the series finale. She accessorized it with earrings by Sequin and her signature headband by Enchanted Atelier.
How I Met Your Mother: Robin’s elegant gown
Everyone waited for Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Barney’s wedding on How I Met Your Mother and her dress didn’t disappoint either! The Addie gown from Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2011 bridal collection, which previewed in several episodes, was perfect. And we loved the sparkly sash too.
Friends: Monica’s memorable gown
If you grew up with the TV show FRIENDS, then the most anticipated TV wedding was undoubtedly Monica and Chandler finally saying ‘I do’ in 2001. And Monica’s dress couldn’t have been better! A minimalist, elegant A-line sleeveless gown with a deep V neckline and accessorized with a long veil, loose waves and a simple bouquet of red roses. House of Bianchi, take a bow!
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna: Rani’s red lehenga
Rani Mukerji as Maya marries her onscreen best friend Abhishek Bachchan in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna wearing this gorgeous red wedding lehenga with gold zardozi work by who-else but Manish Malhotra.
My Name is Khan: Kajol’s minimalistic bridal look
A beautifully draped Manish Malhotra saree in classic red with a gold border and bootis, Kajol’s elegance as a second-time bride who is also a mother is memorable. Minimal make-up and jewellery added to her poise.
Veer Zara: Preity’s gorgeous lehenga
A cross-border love story about Zara, a Muslim girl from Pakistan who falls in love with an Indian, Hindu boy, it featured a wedding look that was as momentous as the film. The stunning cream lehenga, designed by Manish Malhotra, featured hues of purple, green, and orange. Preity looked like a dream.
3 Idiots: Kareena Kapoor’s Anarkali
Who can forget the feisty Pia played by Kareena Kapoor when she rides a Scooty in her stunning orange and red, full sleeved, anarkali style lehenga with soft pink highlights. Manish Malhotra has earned his place as Bollywood’s favourite designer and this film is no exception.
Kal Ho Na Ho: Preity Zinta’s engagement look
The most copied lehenga of the decade! Although Preity’s character Naina wears this lehenga for her engagement to Rohit (Saif Ali Khan) in Kal Ho Na Ho, it is one of the most iconic looks designed by Manish Malhotra for the movies. The nude and blue lehenga sets the tone of the song “Mahi Ve” and many real-life happily-ever-afters too!
Rockstar: Nargis Fakhri’s Kashmiri attire
It’s not often you see a Kashmiri bride on screen and Nargis Fakhri plays Heer Kaul a Kashmiri pundit girl with aplomb in the movie Rockstar. She makes for a gorgeous Kashmiri bride wearing an orange hued exquisitely embroidered lehenga with a dupatta to die for. Designers Manish Malhotra and Akki Narula roamed the streets of Srinagar for hours to get the traditional attire right. Nargis also wore a kalpush or head gear covered by the dupatta of the lehenga.
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan: Katrina Kaif’s footloose bride
Her entry on a horse was just what you would expect from the footloose and fancy-free Dimple (Katrina Kaif) in the film, Mere Brother ki Dulhan. What’s not to love about this look – a fun, fitted gold choli, a sheer, net dupatta and a red-orange-pink lehenga with gold work from Rocky S. The diamond necklace along with an emerald drop maang-tika added the perfect amount of glam to the look.
Dolly Ki Doli: Sonam’s Muslim Wedding look
It’s sort of hard to choose when an actress dons as many as 16 different bridal looks but in Dolly Ki Doli, we were most enamoured by Sonam’s Muslim wedding look. A mint green sharara, with its jacket style blouse and leaf motif pattern embroidered all over in gold, from designer duo Ashima Leena, she accessorized with gorgeous pearl jewellery and jhoomar. Vintage chic!
