Carolina Herrera has always been a go-to for discerning brides with a certain taste level. Crisp silhouettes, full skirts, and classic tailoring are what Mrs. Herrera and her eponymous brand are known for, after all. (Let’s not forget the designer herself has practically made a uniform out of a crisp white shirt, and we’re here for it.)
Now Wes Gordon has taken the helm, and there’s definitely an energized, youthful joie de vivre at the house. “Happy people make happy clothes,” Gordon told Vogue.com backstage after the spring 2019 ready to wear show. And, the one day when you really want “happy clothes” is on your wedding day. Make that a “happy wardrobe,” actually! Because these days, when practically every moment of a wedding is a highly Instagrammable moment, we all know that getting married requires more than just the dress.
“For us, it’s about this idea of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue—and something yellow, and something hand-painted, and something with pearl buttons,” Gordon told Vogue.com, regarding his approach to bridal. “It’s simultaneously being reverent and irreverent. I think our bride loves the romance of a beautiful wedding and loves the traditions associated with it, but at the same time, she’s inventing her own traditions a little bit and making her own rules. Like Mrs. Herrera, she’s a confident woman.” And isn’t that what everyone should strive for when walking down the aisle?
Here, we take a look at our favorite Carolina Herrera brides.
Emmy Rossum
In May of 2017, actress Emmy Rossum married director Sam Esmail wearing an embroidered, all-white off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress with a dramatic train. “As soon as I got engaged, I immediately knew that I wanted Mrs. Herrera to make my wedding dress,” says the actress, who once jokingly said she’d had a wedding Pinterest board for as long as Pinterest has existed.
“I went in, and Mrs. Herrera and I talked about silhouettes she’d done for bridal and silhouettes I’d worn before. I knew I’d be getting married at the temple, which is quite grand, and that the reception would be at the Guggenheim, so we knew that it needed to be a dress that could hold up to that. And it was Mrs. Herrera’s idea to make it quite modern and fresh, and kind of use the shape of the Guggenheim on the bodice.”
Jessica Simpson
For her second wedding, Jessica Simpson wore a sparkly, champagne colored Carolina Herrera dress to marry former NFL football player Eric Johnson at San Isidro Ranch in Montecito, California. “Before I walked out, I kept hearing all the applause, so my kids got standing ovations!” the proud mom told People magazine. When Simpson made her grand entrance, however, a hush fell over the crowd, and there were audible gasps as guests got their first glimpse of her gown, a strapless embellished gold design.
Olivia Palermo
Olivia Palermo has never been one to follow trends. On the contrary, she sets them. Because of this, we never expect anything run of the mill on her wedding day. In June 2014, the model and reality TV star tied the knot with her longtime beau, model Johannes Huebl, in an intimate ceremony in Bedford, N.Y., wearing a three-piece Carolina Herrera ensemble centered around a classic, cream cashmere sweater. The skirt was lacy, frothy tulle with a sexy slit and underneath there were utilitarian boy shorts (much like the ones Chiara Ferragni sported on her wedding day last September). It was all business on top, party on the bottom! Meanwhile, her hair was parted down the middle and pulled up in a ponytail. And just like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, she accessorized with bright blue bejeweled Manolo Blahnik pumps.
Christina Hendricks
The Mad Men actress wed actor Geoffery Arend at the famed Il Buco restaurant in New York City in October of 2009. Introduced by mutual friend Vincent Kartheiser, the two exchanged platinum wedding bands made by Tacori, before hosting a dinner for 70 guests at the well-known Italian eatery. Hendricks wore a Carolina Herrera ivory fils coupe gown. “It was the first dress I tried on,” she said at the time, “and it was magnificent.” Mad Men stylist Allison Leach dressed the bridal party in vintage looks that complemented bride’s curvaceous, vintage vibe. After the meal, everyone danced the night away to a ’30s and ’40s-inspired jazz band. There was a tarot card reader in the wine cellar giving out readings!
Bella Swan in Twilight
The long-sleeved wedding dress Bella Swan (a.k.a. Kristen Stewart) wore in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 took six months and four seamstresses to custom create. Valued at $35,000, the house of Herrera was personally chosen by Stephanie Meyer—author of the Twilight series. The intricately-designed crepe satin and French Chantilly lace gown featured 152 buttons down the back of the dress and was such a show-stopper that Herrera ultimately included it in the 2012 collection.
Hilary Rhoda
In October of 2015, model Hilary Rhoda wed her longtime beau, NHL player Sean Avery, at an intimate ceremony at the Parrish Art Museum in the Hamptons. The bride wore a sophisticated, sleek Carolina Herrera column with a black tie at the neck and emerald green embellishments. The revealingly low back was covered by a long Cathedral length veil during the ceremony, that was later removed as soon as the festivities got started.
Idina Menzel
The Broadway actress, Grammy winner, and voice behind Frozen’s Elsa looked every bit the ethereal princess on her wedding day. Wearing an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera gown, with a thin black ribbon belt and long train, Menzel married actor Aaron Lohr at the couple’s shared home in L.A. in September of 2017. Menzel and Lohr first met when they co-starred in 2005’s Rent, but they didn’t strike up a relationship until almost 10 years later. After the wedding, she took to Instagram to post two photos by Amy & Stuart from her big day, saying: “Wanted to let you know . . . married the love of my life Aaron Lohr this weekend at our home. Dad & son walked me down the aisle. It was magical. Thank you to everyone who helped make my wedding day so special.” And, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Don’t miss Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2020 trunk shows at Carolina Herrera stores and other shops in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami.
Los Angeles – Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal Salon
June 28 – 30
9634 Wilshire Boulevard
310-887-5509
Houston – Casa de Novia
July 12 – 13
240 West Gray Street, Suite 120
713-523-9090
Chicago – Ultimate Bride
July 18 – 20
106 E Oak Street
312-337-6300
Washington DC – Carine’s Bridal
July 25 – 27
1623 Wisconsin Ave NW
202-965-4696
New York – Bergdorf Goodman
August 2 – 4
754 Fifth Avenue
212-872-8957
Seattle – Nordstrom
August 9 – 11
500 Pine Street
206-628-2111
San Francisco – Jin Wang
August 16 – 17
127 Graystone Terrace
415-397-9111
Dallas – Neiman Marcus
September 13 – 14
1618 Main Street
214-741-6911
New York – Mark Ingram Atelier
September 19 – 21
110 East 55th Street, 8th Floor
212-319-6778
