6 Fantasy Couture Wedding Gowns for Meghan Markle’s Consideration

Emily Farra
Updated

Bridal couture gallery

This morning’s Chanel show closed with a feathered tuxedo, modeled by Luna Bijl. It was exceptionally stunning, but it also made a statement about female power.
This morning’s Chanel show closed with a feathered tuxedo, modeled by Luna Bijl. It was exceptionally stunning, but it also made a statement about female power.
Photo: Indigital.tv
The silhouette of this Dior number is similar to the gown Markle wore in her engagement shoot: long-sleeved, semi-sheer, with a nipped waist and full skirt. It might be a little risqué for Westminster Abbey, but we have a feeling Markle appreciates the feminist undertones of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s collections.
Clare Waight Keller’s first couture show for Givenchy included several bridal-worthy gowns. This one combined delicate lace with modest sleeves, two things you can expect to see in Markle’s dress.
Clare Waight Keller’s first couture show for Givenchy included several bridal-worthy gowns. This one combined delicate lace with modest sleeves, two things you can expect to see in Markle’s dress.
Photo: Indigital.tv
Bertrand Guyon’s finale gown for Schiaparelli could only be described as a “princess dress.” With an empire silhouette and layers of ruffled tulle, it would be an ethereal departure from the gowns Kate and Diana wore.
Bertrand Guyon’s finale gown for Schiaparelli could only be described as a “princess dress.” With an empire silhouette and layers of ruffled tulle, it would be an ethereal departure from the gowns Kate and Diana wore.
Photo: Indigital.tv
Look closely and you’ll realize this Giambattista Valli gown is in the palest shade of blush. We’re not anticipating a non-white gown at the royal wedding, but the silhouette of this one feels appropriately regal.
Look closely and you’ll realize this Giambattista Valli gown is in the palest shade of blush. We’re not anticipating a non-white gown at the royal wedding, but the silhouette of this one feels appropriately regal.
Photo: Indigital.tv
If Ralph & Russo design Markle’s gown, we’re guessing it won’t include gold foil, but we do like the idea of a retro hair accessory instead of a tiara.
If Ralph & Russo design Markle’s gown, we’re guessing it won’t include gold foil, but we do like the idea of a retro hair accessory instead of a tiara.
Photo: Indigital.tv

Since news broke that Meghan Markle has selected her wedding gown, the industry has been abuzz over who the designer is. Of course, we can narrow down the list pretty quickly; there’s a good chance he or she is based in Britain, despite rumors that American and Canadian designers got the call, too. Markle is marrying British royalty, after all, and the past two brides in the family—Kate Middleton and Princess Diana—wore gowns by British designers (Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, and Elizabeth and David Emanuel). The one thing we do know for sure is that Markle’s gown will be instantly iconic, and it will probably influence bridal trends for seasons to come. (Almost seven years later, we’re still seeing knockoffs of Middleton’s lacy gown online.)

Could Markle wear McQueen like her future sister-in-law? The odds of that seem low. Perhaps it will be Victoria Beckham or Roland Mouret instead, whose names have been mentioned several times. We’d cheer for a lesser-known London designer, like Erdem or Emilia Wickstead. But a few sources are already insisting that Markle chose Ralph & Russo, the British couture house behind the (somewhat scandalous) gown she wore in her official engagement photos.

Since we’re still a bit fuzzy about the designer, we’re looking to the recent Couture collections for inspiration. Consider the six gowns above our “fashion fantasy picks” for Markle’s big day. Coincidentally, all of them are relatively covered-up, and a few are even long-sleeved, just like Kate and Diana’s gowns. Since Markle’s dress will be custom, we don’t expect her to wear any of these actual designs, but they do hold a few clues about what hers will look like: It will probably have sleeves; a feminine but unfussy silhouette; special touches like hand embroidery, lace, or tulle; and it will be full-length, likely with a dramatic train. Scroll through our top six picks for Markle above while you wait for May 19; you still have 116 days to plan that royal wedding viewing party.

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