While we’re really into big fat Indian weddings, we love weddings of all cultural varieties. As inspiring and iconic as Hollywood movies are, it’s time to give a shoutout to our favorite rom-com queens and fairytale princesses who look just as beautiful in their dreamy white dresses as Aishwarya Rai does in a gold saree.
Here are 21 Hollywood movie brides that stole our hearts on their journeys from the first dates to the aisles!
Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride
1990s rom-com queen Julia Roberts plays the adorable, but noncommittal bride Maggie in this happy movie. After abandoning three men on the altar, she embarks on a journey with Richard Gere’s Ike – who ultimately becomes the remedy to her “Runaway Bride” curse. When they marry in a spring meadow, all feels right in the world. Just look at how that satin gown sparkles in the sunlight! I love the embroidered, floral detail at the bottom of the dress – and the sweet smile Julia Roberts wears it with.
Robin Wright in The Princess Bride
Buttercup has some fantastical challenges finally marrying the love of her life, Westley. After the outlaws, pirates, and fulfilled quests of revenge, I’m happy to see the long-lost lovers reunite in a sweet, royal ceremony. Buttercup’s blue dress is beaded with silver adornments and embellished with velvet flower details. The pale blue color is not a common choice for princess brides, but Buttercup carves her own path and looks regally fabulous anyway.
Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding
When Toula falls in love with Ian, she has to go through lots of hilarious family drama to get him down the aisle with her. The Greek Portokalos family is very, very traditional, and they initially have a hard time accepting in outsider into their large, eccentric clan. Once Ian wins them over after a lot of trials, tribulations, and a bit of Windex, the big fat Greek wedding can commence. I love the lacy details and the mid-length sleeves of Toula’s wedding dress. The gown is form-fitting, yet graceful. Fortunately, it stands the test of heavy dancing at the reception – plus lots of Greek kisses.
Lilette Dubey in Monsoon Wedding
We know just how crazy big fat Indian weddings can get – and Pimmi’s arranged marriage is no exception. A secret affair, family betrayal, and a huge reunion set a tense tone throughout the movie. Luckily, the happy Delhi wedding in the end leaves the movie on a high note. Pimmi’s traditional red lehenga is embellished with marigolds and carnations – not to mention elaborate gold jewelry. I’m glad she gets the royal treatment an Indian bride deserves after all that drama!
Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses
This movie takes “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” to a literal level: Jane has been planning and partaking in 27 of her friends’ weddings for ages. It’s her turn for true love! After some comedic mishaps with co-star James Marsden, Katherine Heigl dons a cute, traditional white wedding dress to her character’s wedding to Kevin. The best part of this bridal attire, however, is the bridesmaids’ ensemble – Jane makes each of her past bride-turned-bridesmaid friends wear the bouncy, bright, and sometimes ridiculous dresses they made her wear when she served on their bridal parties.
Kate Hudson in Bride Wars
What happens when two best friends have their weddings on the same day? A bridezilla showdown of course. This iconic rom-com features Kate Hudson as Liv, engaging in hilarious pranks to bring down the wedding of her best friend Emma. While I’m glad the two have their happy endings, I enjoyed the misadventures in between. Also a feature of the film is Hudson’s now-famous white Vera Wang dress with a purple-grey sash. It really accentuates the sweetheart neckline and beautifully draping skirt.
Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars
Since Bride Wars featured two brides, I can’t let Anne Hathaway’s Emma be overlooked. Emma had some fun sabotaging bestie Liv’s wedding plans too, but her sweet, romantic ending was an unexpected surprise.Hathaway’s character wears her mother’s old wedding dress, but she sure does glam it up to be quite the elegant piece! I love the off-the-shoulder look and the gathered waistline to bring out her slim figure.
Toni Collette in Muriel’s Wedding
Wedding daydreamer Muriel was the butt of her friends’ jokes for years until she realized she was just as cool (if not better off) than her rude company. After faking an upcoming wedding and uncovering her friend’s realistically not-dreamy love lives, she’s more than ecstatic when her dream come true is better than she’d ever hoped. Muriel’s real wedding isn’t the romantic affair we’d hoped for, but at the end of the movie she finds herself and realizes she’s amazing just as is – with or without husband. Nonetheless, I loved her fittingly traditional full-sleeved white dress (as well as her overly floral wedding fantasies).
Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia!
This musical isn’t really about bride Sophie’s wedding, but rather about her mother’s quest for true love. Sophie helps her mother realize her own happy ending, but in the process finds her own, unexpected one. While Sophie doesn’t end the story as a newlywed bride, she still dresses the role in her beautiful, light, and summery white outfit. Her beachy waves and off-the-shoulder dress are perfectly suited for the gorgeous Greek background. At least we know she’s ready to be a blushing bride on notice!
Sandra Bullock in The Proposal
Sandra Bullock’s Margaret is the overbearing boss of Andrew, who she forces to marry her in order to avoid deportation. Their laugh-on-the-floor hilarious adventures include a dance scene in the woods, Betty White’s quirky lines, and Canadian wilderness. By the time Andrew and Margaret make it down the aisle, they’ve fallen for each other – albeit in an unconventional way. Bullock wears a hand-me-down dress that she’s initially unhappy with – but the way she takes it in, and fills it out, makes her a glowing bride. The pearly, off-white dress is very conservative, yet still elegant. Bullock wears it beautifully.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City
Whether or not you’re a fan of Carrie and Mr. Big, you have to admit this movie wedding was everything you’d expect from the fashionable Carrie Bradshaw. This epic Vivienne Westwood gown is stunning with its unique, deep neckline and layered skirt. Carrie’s feathered hairpiece is a bright (and something) blue touch to the runway outfit. She doesn’t need Mr. Big to star in this huge moment!
Jennifer Lopez in Monster in Law
Charlotte’s already met her dream man, and unfortunately also her nightmare mother-in-law-to-be, Viola. Viola hates the fact that Charlotte is now the leading woman in her son’s life, and she attempts to sabotage the relationship – quite outrageously – multiple times before the ceremony. Even before the two bitterly make up before the big day, Charlotte doesn’t let Viola ruin her happy ending. She wears a creamy, white satin gown and classy, underutilized gloves. She looks like a very happy, very beautiful cake topper in this traditional attire.
Kimberly Williams in Father of the Bride
Steve Martin’s George has a tough time accepting that his daughter Annie is growing up and getting married. After some sweet, well-meaning mishaps throughout the film, he ends up walking his daughter down the aisle in a poignant scene. It’s a touching reminder that our parents are just as much a part of the wedding as the significant other. Annie’s dress features a laced collar and matching skirt border. The bow-tied sash and long veil remind me of a royal wedding – she certainly looks fit to be a princess!
Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer
Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler have amazing chemistry on screen, and I’m still disappointed they didn’t marry in real life (similar to my disappointment at Kajol and SRK’s lack of nuptials). Barrymore’s Julia avoids marrying the wrong man before she embarks on a pivotal journey of falling in love with singer Robbie. Their outdoor wedding is simple and sweet: Julia wears a scoop-necked white gown with a long veil, accompanied with lots of daisies. I love her cute, cropped hair as well – perfectly fitting for a pure, innocent love story.
Sadie Frost in Dracula
Lucy Westenra is a sultry, young love interest of the vampire Dracula – who incidentally prevents her from ever realizing her wedding day. However, Sadie Frost’s character is dressed in gorgeous Victorian bridal attire even after she’s turned into a vampire. I love the frilled, high-necked collar that’s characteristic of the late 1800s, as well as the unique, tulle veil and freeform skirt.
Kristen Stewart in Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Speaking of vampire love stories, Twilight: Breaking Dawn has a beautifully done woodland wedding scene where Bella finally marries her true, undead love. Her Carolina Herrara dress cost over $35,000 to make – and it shows! The young bride wears a dress featuring a demure front and an intricately detailed lacy back with buttons. The flowery patterns bring an extra ethereal element to this already mystical wedding.
Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face
Audrey Hepburn was a fashion icon of the 1950s, known for her lovable characters like the role she played in Funny Face – a musical romantic comedy. The unexpecting bookworm turned fashion model, Jo Stockton, dons a cute white tea dress for her wedding to Fred Astaire’s character. The iconic Givenchy dress has a uniquely shaped collar for the times and a full A-line skirt. Audrey’s short tulle veil gives the look a flirty, fun element that suits her happy ending!
Natalie Portman in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Queen/Senator Padme Amidala didn’t expect to get intwined in a forbidden romance with Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker, but their wedding was adorable anyway. Their love story was a terrific tragedy, setting stage for the events that followed in the rest of the Star Wars saga – but at least the wedding was quaint! The bride wore a flowing white gown embroidered with vine details and a stunningly beaded veil with domed coverage. While the location of the secret marriage was in a very alien lake retreat in Naboo, the dress is oddly reminiscent of a bead 1920’s ensemble on planet Earth.
Jennifer Ehle in Pride and Prejudice
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy had a difficult time falling in love, considering their satire-filled haughtiness and prejudice. By the end of the love story, the audience is ecstatic that the two have finally realized their feelings for each other and agree to get married. The wedding was everything a 19th century landowner would dream off – complete with sprawling estate and modest wedding dresses. It’s a double marriage ceremony, but both brides manage to stand out with their blushing prettiness and long-sleeved, conservative cotton gowns.
Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI of France didn’t have a love story many of us would admire, given the abusive French monarchy and its tendency to treat women as objects instead of people. Nonetheless, for her time and era, Marie did quite well for herself by rising to power as the Dauphine of France – before her untimely execution during the Revolution. This corset-bound classic robe à la française is a court dress featuring lace, satin, and golden embroidery. The hooped pannier underneath the petticoat creates a wide skirt, with the logic that the wider the skirts, the higher the class. Needless to say, this queen had a regally wide wedding skirt.
Although Kirsten Dunst wears an excellent replica, the real wedding gown of Marie Antoinette is long lost from the Palace of Versailles.
I hope these happy endings encouraged you to go back and watch some of these iconic films – who are your favorite Hollywood movie brides?