Haute couture wedding dresses can start at around $100,000 and, depending on embellishments, can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more – so when you see the jaw-dropping looks on the Paris runways, you can pretty much guarantee a jaw-dropping price tag. For spring 2020, designers – including celebrity faves Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as one of Meghan Markle ’s go-to fashion houses, Ralph & Russo – presented exquisitely beaded dresses, with lavish embroidery and plenty of sparkle. Not for the shy bride on a budget, these spectacular wedding dresses can nonetheless serve as major inspo for anyone’s bridal look. Scroll through for all the eye-popping luxury you will need to dream of your big day.
ELIE SAAB
Elie Saab couture wedding gowns are thought to cost around $300,000 and this dress no doubt costs a pretty penny. The Lebanese couturier, famed for dressing stars like Jennifer Lopez and Kate Middleton, was inspired by Mexico for his latest collection. The lavishly embroidered bridal dress featured an illusion bodice and bow at the waist and was accessorized with a dramatic headpiece and statement earrings.
GEORGES HOBEIKA
Georges Hobeika’s gorgeous collection embodied “the force of nature, the ecstasy of freedom and the philosophy of entertainment.” The couturier’s shimmering finale gown, in a 1950s bustle silhouette, with a cinched-in waist and portrait neckline, certainly brought all that and a healthy dose of glamour.
ZUHAIR MURAD
Zuhair Murad’s spring 2020 haute couture collection pays homage to "Egyptian queens who left a mark on history by their beauty and power" with each piece "each piece is elevated into an exploration of timeless elegance tinted with magic." The show’s finale gown, a Cleopatra-worthy bridal confection featuring a cape was inspired by the sun god Ra, and embodied a “modern queen of Egypt,” said the couturier.
ZIAD NAKAD
“Dramatic flair and timeless femininity” is Ziad Nakad’s style, and those are qualities that are truly encompassed in the bridal look that served as the finale for a spectacular runway show. Like a wedding gown for a real-life Little Mermaid, this ethereal dress from his Atlantis-inspired haute couture collection floated down the runway and looked perfect for a princess who reigns in an underwater kingdom.
RALPH & RUSSO
A favorite label of Meghan Markle, haute couture duo Ralph & Russo presented this ultra-feminine double duchess and tulle off-the-shoulder mini dress, which featured a 13-foot cape embellished with pearls, xilions and 3D flowers made from taffeta, organza, tulle and silk chiffon. We love the 20ft veil, the tulle gloves and especially those tights that sparkle thanks to pearl and xilion embellishment.
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
For the final show of his career, legendary designer Gaultier sent a host of eye-popping looks down the runway, including this dramatic gown worn by Karlie Kloss. The high-low dress featured perspex detail on the bodice and flowing train.
TONY WARD
Tony Ward’s powdery peach wedding dress is all about romance. The off-the-shoulder gown features puffed sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, with all-over silver beaded embroidery embelling every inch of the dress and gorgeous train.
STEPHANE ROLLAND
Serenity is the vibe this season for Stephane Rolland who took inspiration from circles for his bride. His floor sweeping white chasuble dress is made from gazar and embroidered with crystals. Also embellished with crystals is the “Moon” veil, which follows the clean lines of the gown.
JULIEN FOURNIE
French designer Julien Fournie showed luxury in all its complex simplicty, with this long-sleeved wedding dress. The creation featured beautiful beading – in a motif also reflected in the delicate veil – a pleated skirt and corseted, buttoned bodice with tassel detail.
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