When “I Do” Becomes a Runway
Written by Kayleigh Carlos
Weddings are a joyous time for a couple to celebrate each other and their love. However, in recent years, celebrity weddings in particular have become more of a fashion event than ever. Weddings have always involved trends and careful planning, but as the media coverage has grown, celebrity weddings are now immediately analyzed online. From the dress and designer to the overall aesthetic, a single bridal look can influence what thousands of future brides choose to wear.
A recent example of this occurred on February 28, 2026, when famous Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc married Alexandra Saint Mleux in a civil ceremony in Monaco. Alexandra wore a custom gown by Paolo Sebastian made from French Chantilly lace, featuring a fishtail silhouette and a scalloped neckline detailed with three-dimensional floral and butterfly embroidery. The gown also included embroidered initials and the couple’s wedding date. Instead of a traditional veil, she styled her hair in a sleek bun and wore jewelry from Graff. The wedding drew attention not only because of Leclerc’s Formula 1 fame, but also because Alexandra’s couture lace gown and understated styling fit perfectly into the “quiet luxury” aesthetic currently dominating fashion.
While some celebrity weddings emphasize timeless luxury, others become highly curated visual events shared across social media. Emma MacDonald, a YouTuber known for documenting her lifestyle as a Boston-based influencer, built an audience by sharing everything from workouts to daily routines. When she married Boston Celtics player Payton Pritchard, that openness continued, as she documented the entire process on her YouTube channel. The wedding took place at Wychmere Beach Club in Cape Cod, aligning with Emma’s coastal New England aesthetic. She wore a Vera Wang gown featuring a corset bodice and dramatic tulle skirt. Naturally, fans tuned in to follow every detail of the event, turning each outfit and moment into content. While minimalism is a major trend in bridal fashion right now, wedding dresses can still be timeless without feeling overly simple. In my opinion, Emma’s gown achieved that balance perfectly.
In some cases, a celebrity wedding does more than attract attention—it shapes fashion trends. One of the clearest examples of this influence came from the wedding of Sofia Richie Grainge. For her marriage to Elliot Grainge, she collaborated with Chanel to create three custom gowns that quickly became some of the most widely discussed bridal fashion moments online. Her main dress featured delicate beading and a halter neckline, paired with minimal makeup and a sleek bun. The overall look felt elegant yet understated, emphasizing timeless beauty over dramatic glamour. Since images of the wedding circulated so widely online, her aesthetic helped popularize the minimalist “quiet luxury” bridal style.
Celebrity weddings now function as more than personal celebrations; they have become cultural fashion moments that influence trends across the internet. From Alexandra Saint Mleux’s couture lace gown to Emma MacDonald’s influencer-documented ceremony and Sofia Richie Grainge’s viral Chanel dresses, bridal fashion has become deeply intertwined with celebrity culture. In the age of social media, the wedding aisle is increasingly becoming another runway.
Edited by Leila Ianovici, Ben Weisse, Isabella Zapata and Avery Charlesworth
