The Best Of Bridal Costume Design

Costume design is where imagination and extravagance can run wild, and naturally this freedom allows for the creation of fantastical and awe-inspiring bridal gowns.

Whilst admittedly many of these dresses are not ?wearable? per-say, they are the height of bridal fantasy and pull at an inner desire for dress-up and pretend. If you enjoy playing with dramatic looks and daring silhouettes, you may find these styles suit your bridal taste.

For this list, we have?a mix of fairy-tale couture, fantasy and tamer -but still extravagant- costume design. From film and television, 80’s classics and right up to current drama, no bridal costume is off limits. A love of the fantasy genre and period drama is definitely the force behind these picks, but if it embodies elements of a similar’style it may find its way here. Lady Rose’s gown tends towards realism in that it would be the perfect ensemble for a vintage-inspired wedding, but it is breathtaking and speaks of a very different time. In any case, to the modern mind the early 1900’s might as well be another universe. Similarly, Blair Waldorf’s Elie Saab dress is as much modern bride as it is magical, but its ethereal style?has earned its place here.

Browse through the offerings of supremely talented costume designers and their take on bridal. Pick elements to emulate in your bridal aspirations or simply enjoy this elaborate and extravagant’side of bridal design.

Cinderella (2015)

Lily James as Cinderella. Costume design by Sandy Powell.

Photo: Vanity Fair

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Drew Barrymore as Danielle. Costume design by Jenny Beavan

Photo: The Pragmatic Costumer

Mirror Mirror (2012)

Julia Roberts as Queen Clementianna. Costume design by Eiko Ishioka

Photo: The Skinny Stiletto

Once Upon A Time (2011 – present)

Lana Parrilla as Regina/The Evil Queen. Costume design by Eduardo Castro

Photo: Bella Nova Design

Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala. Costume design by Trisha Biggar

Photo: Pop Sugar

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Charlize Theron as The Evil Queen/Ravenna. Costume design by Colleen Atwood

Photo: Pop Sugar

Krull (1983)

Lysette Anthony as Princess Lyssa. Costume design by Anthony Mendleson

Photo: Listal

Reign (2013 – present)

Adelaide Kane as Mary Stuart. Costume design by Meredith Markworth-Pollack. Dress by Monique Lhuillier

Photo: E Online

?Outlander (2014 – present)

Catriona Balfe as Claire Randall. Costume design by Terry Dresbach

Photo: The Outlander Podcast

Gossip Girl (2007 – 2012)

Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf. Costume design by Eric Daman. Dress by Elie Saab

Photo: Pop Sugar

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s chest (2006)

Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Swann. Costume design by Penny Rose

Photo: Buzzfeed

?Downton Abbey?(2010 – 2015)

Lily James as Lady Rose. Costume design by Anna Mary Scott Robbins. Original vintage dress

Photo: TV Fanatic

Once Upon A Time (2011-present)

Rose McGowan as Cora. Costume design by Eduardo Castro

Photo: Pop Sugar

Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Mila Kunis as Jupiter Jones. Costume design by Kym Barrett. Dress by Michael Cinco

Photo: Mail Online

By Aisling O’Grady