Minimalist, yet elegant. Timeless, yet modern. Sexy and refined.
Meghan Markle is known for bridging two worlds: one that is real and relatable, and another that is luxurious and glamorous.
Her wedding looks were no different. They captured that beautiful balance perfectly. It's no wonder women around the world continue to look to Meghan Markle for inspiration as they create their own wedding style. Her look wasn't over the top. From the dresses to the hair and makeup, she kept things simple.
The result? Two royal looks that were simply stunning. And today, we're going to break them down for you, so you can look and feel like a princess when you walk down the aisle, too.
Meghan Markle's Wedding Dresses
1— Givenchy Wedding Dress
- Meghan Markle wore two wedding dresses, one for the ceremony and one for the reception. For the ceremony, she wore a stunning Givenchy gown that epitomizes minimalist and timeless elegance. How can you describe the look of this dress without paying the £100,000+ price tag?
- • A bateau (or boat) neckline: This is a straight neckline that extends from the collarbone to each shoulder.
- • Three-quarter sleeves: The length of these sleeves can vary from person to person because they are three-quarters of the length of the arm, or halfway between the elbow and wrist.
- • Silk material: Silk is soft, lightweight, and luxurious, with a natural sheen. It also feels incredibly soft against the skin!
We can't take our eyes off this embroidered mesh dress. No embellishments, no lace, yet it looks absolutely stunning (and majestic). We especially love the jewel embellishments that add a touch of power to the dress's understated elegance.
If you can find a dress that has this trifecta, you're well on your way to achieving Meghan's first look.
2— Stella McCartney Wedding Dress
As we mentioned, one of the reasons Meghan Markle is so beloved is that she's relatable. She, too, wanted a second look that would comfortably take her into the evening. This halter-neck sheath dress by Stella McCartney did just that.
What makes this dress so remarkable?
- • A halter neckline: Instead of two straps, a single strap runs from the front of the garment around the back of the neck, exposing the shoulders and, generally, leaving the upper back bare.
- • Silk crepe: Crepe describes a weaving method that leaves a distinctively crisp, crinkled appearance.
- • Sheath silhouette: A sheath dress is a fitted, straight-cut dress that cinches at the waist. This style of dress is incredibly flattering because the off-the-shoulder design and sheath fit create an hourglass figure. Get it in a silk crepe material, and you'll have nailed the second look!
This dress, style GL2243, has it all—a halter neckline to show off your shoulders, a cinched waist to give you that hourglass figure, and stunning floral embroidery to add texture (and another touch of femininity).
Meghan Markle's Wedding Accessories
While Meghan's dresses were elegantly simple, her accessories elevated the glamour. When it comes to your royal look, we encourage you to embrace your femininity and wear accessories fit for a queen. Use Meghan's lineup for inspiration:
- 1— Veil: You don't need a 16.5-foot veil to make Meghan's look royal. What do we love most about hers? The intricate floral embroidery at the ends. While these flowers are the signature flora of the 53 Commonwealth countries, we think she could get away with something a little simpler.
- 2— Bandeau Tiara: What's a royal look without a tiara? Meghan wore the famous Queen Mary bandeau tiara made of diamonds and platinum. What is a bandeau tiara? A low-profile, headband-like ornament, usually without a graduated height from side to side, and often worn across the forehead.
- 3— Pumps: Meghan opted for classic pumps from the same brand that created her first wedding dress: Givenchy. A pump is a British term to describe a type of shoe worn in royal courts by the wealthy upper class or royalty. What does it look like? A classic pump. Find a pair in silk satin, and no one will recognize your pair from hers.
Meghan Markle's Wedding Hair and Makeup
While some people were up in arms about Meghan's loose strands of hair, we think her hair and makeup exude effortless elegance. Long before the wedding, she was pressured to be authentic, and her wedding day was no exception. We love that her hair and makeup are something you can completely recreate on your wedding day:
- 1— A Low, Messy Bun: Meghan's bun was low and securely fastened at the nape of her neck to the right. Her hair was parted in the middle, with a few face-framing strands lightly curled to soften the look.
- 2— A natural base: When it came to Meghan's skin, she kept things light and natural, allowing her freckles to show through. She noted that she wanted to avoid a lot of contouring and strobing. But to add radiance and a light flush, her makeup artist used a coral cream blush and highlighter.
- 3— A big-eyed look: Meghan's makeup artist wanted to draw attention to her eyes while keeping things natural. So, instead of black or gray eyeshadow, she used warm brown tones. To make her eyes appear to "flutter" when she looked at Harry, she altered and shaped some of her outer lashes to give her that big-eyed look.
