Old Hollywood Wedding Dresses, Ranked By Timelessness

Modern Hollywood has certainly come a long way from its golden years, which were synonymous with a different kind of glamour. Stars of the era stunned fans not with shock value and controversy, but with a carefully curated style that encapsulated elegance, drama, and artistry all in one. Though the Golden Age of Hollywood is generally thought of as the period between the 1920s and 1960s, many of the time's biggest names got married in the 1950s. So, their bridal fashion married that ongoing sense of sophistication and charm with the decade's feminine, form-fitting silhouettes. Even if they were trendy at the time, the wedding gowns worn by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor (before she was a Taylor Swift song!) and Marilyn Monroe remain beacons of bridal style more than half a century later. 

Even in the era of the 1950s studio stars, where women in particular were held to more rigid standards of behavior and fashion, A-listers found ways to express their personalities with their wedding gowns. Audrey Hepburn, who was a pop culture style icon you should absolutely let influence your wardrobe, wore a short and pretty fuss-free tea-length dress that stood against the grain and cemented her as a style pioneer. At the same time, Monroe's simple beige frock proved her willingness to defy tradition. Each vintage star's dress had its own charm, so we've ranked them based on how their designs have held up against changing bridal fashion. All were classic to an extent, but only some went on to inspire wedding dress silhouettes for years to come. Just as we ranked the Kennedy women's wedding dresses by timeless appeal, now we're highlighting the Old Hollywood wedding dresses that would look just as beautiful in the modern age. 

In September 1954, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" star Audrey Hepburn walked down the aisle at the Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland, to wed actor and director Mel Ferrer. A fashion icon synonymous with sophistication, Hepburn didn't disappoint in a tea-length frock that was both trendy for the time and infused with her own unique sense of style. It featured puffy yet lightweight sleeves and a high neckline with a satin sash cinching in her waist to create an hourglass effect. She finished off this bridal look with elbow-length gloves and a halo of flowers in lieu of a veil, the latter of which almost created a boho aesthetic. 

There were so many elements here that cemented this look firmly in the 1950s: the sash around the waist contrasting with the volume of the skirt and, of course, the gloves. However, some would argue that the gloves give the dress a timeless feel, despite being a classic of the era. "Some might say [the gloves are] outdated ... Well I say it's timeless, chic, and elevates your entire look," bridal atelier Valentine Avoh commented on Instagram. Similarly, the shorter tea-length hemline is a detail that brides still choose today. 

This dress is widely reported as being designed by Pierre Balmain (well before the French fashion house became acquainted with Kim Kardashian!), but some dispute that claim because it was never officially confirmed by the designer prior to his death. Naysayers speculate that the dress may have been designed by Hubert de Givenchy, with whom Hepburn was more closely associated throughout her life, per Instagram. Whatever the case, it was a work of art that blended contemporary design with more established styles, but it wasn't the most timeless look to come out of Old Hollywood.

Marilyn Monroe famously wore three wedding dresses, and while the brown suit she wore to tie the knot with Joe DiMaggio in 1954 is probably her most iconic, her most ageless look would have to be her third dress. In 1956, she married playwright Arthur Miller in a courthouse ceremony in front of just two witnesses before celebrating with a Jewish ceremony in Westchester, Connecticut. In what was a considerably low-key affair for the superstar, she wore a tea-length satin and chiffon dress designed by Norman Norell and John Moore to the backyard celebration. 

Though we don't tend to remember this dress as fondly as others from the era, some modern brides still call upon this look for inspiration. "Her simple dress and veil is my ultimate small wedding aesthetic," one Redditor commented. "Lovely!" The gown's empire waist, scoop neckline, tea-length hemline, and ruched bust are elements that continue to be recycled in bridal fashion through the years, but there were other details that made this simple dress feel less classic. The pillbox hat worn beneath her halo veil definitely tied Monroe's bridal ensemble to its era, and its beige color gave it a dose of personality. These features made this minimalist dress more memorable than the basic long-sleeved silk gown she wore to marry police officer James Dougherty in 1942 when she was just 16. 

There were a few other things that made her nuptials with Miller feel unique to Monroe, including the fact that the couple's rings were inscribed with the words "Now is forever." That wasn't exactly a good luck charm, since the pair divorced in 1961, but nobody can argue that the "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" star didn't look radiant on her day.

The fitted waist and full skirt silhouette was a hallmark of 1950s bridal fashion, and it remains popular today. Elizabeth Taylor's first wedding dress, which she wore to marry Conrad "Nicky" Hilton on May 6, 1950, fit the bill as being both contemporary and ageless, since it answered trends that happened to endure through the decades. At only 18 years old, the "Cleopatra" icon looked stunning in her ballgown-style satin dress, which had long sleeves, pearl embellishments, and a sweetheart off-the-shoulder neckline with a high-neck overlay. She wasn't one of the celebrities who stunned in Vera Wang wedding dresses, but she has gone down in history for this traditional look.

This gown was designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose, who had cultivated a strong working relationship with Elizabeth Taylor by 1950. Completed with a pearl tiara and billowing veil, the dress was reportedly priced at $1,500 at the time, which would amount to approximately $20,000 in today's currency. However, it fetched nearly $190,000 at auction in 2013. Closely inspired by the dress Taylor wore in "Father of the Bride," this gown took 15 dressmakers three months to create.

The tiara is really the only detail that might make this look feel dated, but it's mostly remembered as a timeless style brimming with elements that continually re-emerge in bridal fashion. "She looks so stunning and frozen in time," a Redditor gushed about the dress, while another fan wrote on Instagram, "I adore the first dress. So amazing and timeless." Of course, compared to Taylor's seven other dresses, which came in all colors and styles, the '50s ballgown was easily the most classic.

Topping our list is the masterpiece worn by Grace Kelly at her April 1956 nuptials, where she married Prince Rainier III and became Her Serene Highness, Princess Grace of Monaco. The high-necked creation was crafted from Brussels lace that was more than a century old, taffeta, and pearls, also having been designed by Helen Rose of MGM fame. The veil's lace appliqué featured an embroidered pair of lovebirds, foreshadowing the turtledoves that were released from the six-tier wedding cake at the reception. Fitted bridal lace is ageless, and while taffeta itself might come across as dated in the 2020s, something about this design entrenched itself in fashion history.

"On her wedding day, Grace Kelly gave new meaning to the word 'icon,'" esteemed designer Oscar de la Renta shared, per Brides. "Her whole look, from the regal veil to the feminine lace details and the conservative gown, made her an ageless bride." It wasn't just de la Renta who thought so; a long list of royals and celebrities have since had their wedding dresses designed with Kelly's lace gown in mind, among them Kate Middleton and Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg. Other fans include Lady Kitty Spencer (the niece of the late Princess Diana, who's had a stunning style transformation), Ivanka Trump, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Lily Collins, Chiara Ferragni, and Naomi Biden.

The lace dress was actually one of three outfits that the princess wore for her wedding festivities. The couple first held a private civil ceremony in the palace throne room, where Kelly rocked a floral embroidered suit, also by Helen Rose. Following this was a gala at the Monaco Opera, and Kelly dressed accordingly in a white silk gown by Lanvin. Très chic!

It's not easy ranking the best bridal looks from Old Hollywood, but we prioritized those style elements that are truly ageless. We've seen these designs emerging again and again with each new generation of brides, so their impact on the legacy of bridal fashion is clear. As an icon who has continued to influence wedding style through the decades, Grace Kelly's lace gown was the natural choice for our best dress. 

Next, for a less-timeless fashion look book, check out our list of the most unconventional celebrity wedding dresses that left a mark.