Everyone’s wedding is special in its own way. Besides the fact that your wedding is, well, yours, there are all the little (and big) touches here and there that make it unique. Even if you’re at or viewing pictures or video from a wedding that isn’t yours you’ll pick up on the theme, the wedding bands, the venue, the guests, the food, etc. and see how this particular ceremony stands apart from others.
Of course, there’s no wedding quite like a royal wedding, and there’s no one thing that makes a wedding memorable quite like the wedding gown worn by the bride. It stands to reason, then, that royal wedding gowns are the most wonderful parts of any wedding that isn’t your own. Last year we took a look at 10 of the most beautiful vintage royal wedding gowns ever. For today’s blog post we’re back with 10 gorgeous wedding gowns from this side of the year 2000 that you just have to see.
Princess Letizia of Spain
Though she ascended to Queen of Spain on June 19 2014 when her husband’s father, Juan Carlos, abdicated the throne, Letizia Ortiz became Princess Letizia when she wed Felipe VI, currently the King of Spain, in 2004 at Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. For the wedding she wore a gown by couturier Manuel Pertegaz.
Princess Máxima of Holland
Queen of the Netherlands since April 30, 2013, Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti also became a princess when she married. She met Willen-Alexander, heir to the Dutch throne, in Seville, Spain in 1999. He only gave his first name at the time, not wanting her to know he was royalty. Naturally, that eventually came to light and the two were wed in March of 2001 with Máxima wearing a Valentino Couture gown as she made her way down the aisle.
Princess Claire of Belgium
The sister-in-law of King Philippe of Belgium, Claire Louise Coombs married into the Belgium royal family on April 12 2003 when she and Prince Laurent tied the knot. The civil ceremony took place at Brussels Town Hall, with the religious portion being held at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula. For her big day, Claire wore a gown designed by Edouard Vermeulen.
Princess Marie of Denmark
Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier became the second wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark on May 24 2008. The two were first seen publicly together while vacationing in France in 2005. Upon their marriage Marie became known as – deep breath – Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat. Her wedding dress was created by Spanish-Italian fashion label Arasa Morelli.
Princess Victoria of Sweden
The crown princess of Sweden is the oldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf, making her the heir apparent to the Swedish throne. She’ll become the country’s fourth queen regnant and first since all the way back in 1720. She married her personal trainer in June 2010 before over 1,200 guests at Stockholm Cathedral while wearing a gown by Swedish designer Par Engsheden.
Princess Tatiana of Greece
Tatiana was born in Venezuela, raised in Switzerland, is of Russian descent and is currently Princess of Greece and Denmark. Got all that? In any case, she was married to Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark in Spetses, Greece in August of 2010. Despite having formerly been an employee of wedding gown designer Diane von Fürstenberg, the princess had her gown designed by Angel Sanchez.
Princess Charlene of Monaco
A 2000 Olympic swimmer from South Africa, Princess Charlene became the wife of Prince Albert II of Monaco in July of 2011 at a ceremony in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. It was the usual opulent type of affair that you’d expect from a royal wedding, and Princess Charlene wore a Giorgio Armani gown.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden
The second daughter and youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, Princess Madeleine is sixth in the line of succession to the Swedish throne. She married British-born American financier Christopher O’Neill in June 2013. Since O’Neill refused to become a Swedish citizen, he took no title and receives no royal duties. The two were wed all the same, and Madeline wore a Valentino Haute Couture gown on their big day.
Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg
The heir apparent to the Luxembourg throne, Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, was married to Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume at the Town Hall in October of 2012 with the religious ceremony taking place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg. Stephanie’s dress was designed by Elie Saab and was paired with the Lannoy family tiara.
Princess Sophie of Prussia
Head of the House of Hohenzollern, Georg Friedrich married Sophie on August 25, 2011 in Potsdam’s city hall with the religious portion happening at the Church of Peace two days later. It was said by many to be the most lavish Hohenzollern royal wedding in nearly 50 years. For the big day, Sophie wore a gown by German designer Wolfgang Joop.
Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings
Want to feel like royalty at your wedding? Consider a cubic zirconia engagement ring. Russian Formula cubic zirconia (CZ) rings reflect the light as beautifully as real diamonds do, but they’re affordable enough that even us “commoners” can get a rock of exceptional size in our rings.