Birthday
HydrangeasThe wedding look of American actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco, is still called one of the most beautiful in history. Her dress, veil and tiny bouquet of lily of the valley have inspired designers and brides for almost 70 years. Here is how the wedding unfolded and what made the look so legendary.
The wedding of the century
Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in April 1956. A civil ceremony took place at the palace on 18 April, followed by the church wedding at St Nicholas Cathedral on 19 April. Around 600 guests attended, and an estimated 30 million people watched on television — an unprecedented audience for the 1950s.
After the ceremony the couple drove through the streets of Monaco and then set off on a Mediterranean honeymoon aboard the yacht Deo Juvante II, the prince's wedding gift. According to contemporaries, as the yacht left harbour, Aristotle Onassis's plane showered it with red and white carnations.
After her marriage Grace Kelly left acting. Alfred Hitchcock later offered her the lead in "Marnie", but the people of Monaco reacted coolly and the princess turned the role down.
The legendary dress
The dress was designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose and given to the bride by the studio. Several dozen seamstresses worked on it for about six weeks, using silk taffeta, silk net and antique Brussels rose point lace some 125 years old, with seed pearls on the bodice. The ivory skirt was bell-shaped, and the high lace collar and long sleeves emphasised the bride's elegance.
Instead of a tiara, Grace wore a lace Juliet cap decorated with pearls and a long tulle veil. After the wedding the dress was donated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in her home city, where it remains today.
The lily of the valley bouquet
The bride carried a small prayer book and a tiny posy of lily of the valley, a symbol of purity, humility and the return of happiness. This understated choice became part of the legend: small lily of the valley bouquets are still considered among the most elegant bridal bouquets.
If you want to recreate it, bear in mind that lily of the valley blooms in May and is expensive out of season, and the plant is poisonous, so keep it away from children and pets. Small white flowers such as gypsophila, freesia and spray roses create a similar delicate effect. Incidentally, the Meilland rose 'Princesse de Monaco' was named in Grace Kelly's honour.
A lasting legacy
Elements of Grace Kelly's wedding look appear in many collections. The best-known example is Kate Middleton's 2011 wedding dress: its long-sleeved lace bodice and V-neck were widely compared to the princess's gown, and her bouquet also included lily of the valley.
FAQ
Who designed Grace Kelly's wedding dress?
Helen Rose, costume designer at MGM studios.
What was Grace Kelly's bridal bouquet?
A small posy of lily of the valley, carried together with a prayer book.
Dreaming of a bouquet fit for a princess? See UFL's bridal bouquets with delivery in Kyiv.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
