Meghan Markle knows a thing or two about wedding dresses. She even picked one out last year for her role on Suits. But while her character Rachel Zane stunned in the dreamy Anne Barges ballgown, what the actress will wear on her own big day is really sending the fashion world into a frenzy.
Pin this article for later! For more, follow Good Housekeeping on Pinterest.
A royal wedding calls for a whole new set of considerations beyond how the dress will look on camera. Custom prescribes a modest dress created by a British designer, with most rumors pointing to Alexander McQueen, Ralph & Russo, and Erdem as frontrunners.
Meghan’s close friend and ‘secret wedding planner’ Jessica Mulroney reportedly influenced the process as well. She works as a fashion stylist and stayed by the bride’s side every step of the way. In fact, the duo has reportedly selected not one but two dresses, just like Kate Middleton.
‘She will have two dresses, one for the ceremony and another dress for the evening,’ a source told Vanity Fair. ‘The plan is for her to change after the ceremony so that she can party the night away in something glamorous and less restrictive.’
While the public won’t know any details for sure until the morning of May 19th, here’s what the actress known for her modern, laidback style might pick for her big day:
Something Kennedy-inspired
Nope, not Jackie Kennedy. Meghan named Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Narcisco Rodriguez-designed slip as her favorite celebrity wedding dress in a interview with Glamour last year. ‘Everything goals,’ she said of the ’90s style.
Something sparkly
When Meghan married her first husband Trevor Engelson in Jamaica in 2011, she wore a ‘sleek, strapless, floor-length white dress with diamante waist detail,’ according to Metro. However, it’s unlikely she’ll wear a similar dress — especially since the wedding will take place at Windsor Castle, not the beach.
Something beaded
That’s what Markle wore on the Suits for the big season 5 finale, and the actress helped pick the dress herself. ‘It is classic and fairy-tale and the culmination of everything she’s been waiting for with her big day,’ she told Glamour of Rachel’s gown.
Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. ‘It’s not my personal style,’ she admitted, adding that she did like the low ballerina-inspired neckline on the original design. (The producers raised it for TV.)
Something simple
Markle told Good Housekeeping US that her wardrobe essentials are cropped pants and button-downs, and her wedding wear will likely reflect the same casual vibes.
‘I have the luxury of wearing beautiful pieces of clothing every day for work, so my personal style — wedding or not — is very pared down and relaxed,’ Markle told Glamour US. ‘Classic and simple is the name of the game, perhaps with a modern twist.’
Something romantic
While Markle’s definitely a fan of structured jackets and coats (like her look from the engagement photo call), she could go for something for soft and feminine too. ‘I personally prefer wedding dresses that are whimsical or subtly romantic,’ she told Glamour US. ‘Delphine Manivet and Christos Costarellos are faves of mine for their uniqueness and beauty.
Something from Ralph & Russo
Ralph & Russo Haute Couture Atelier team view hand embroidery portfolios by RSN Degree students at Hampton Court Palace @ralphandrusso #couture #fashion #rsndegree #ralphandrusso pic.twitter.com/mIzhDnDJ81
— Royal Needlework (@RoyalNeedlework) May 1, 2018
The couture house’s design team met with the Royal School of Needlework, which previously helped with Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, earlier this month. Prince Harry was also spotted leaving the couturiers’ office on May 5. Coincidence? Maybe not.
Harry is seen leaving Ralph & Russo weeks before it was revealed Meghan will wear a £100,000 design made by the British couturiers https://t.co/bQs1ETpuh3
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 5, 2018
Something from Erdem
In an especially fitting twist, the London-based designer was born in Canada, where Markle filmed Suits and became an ‘adopted Canuck.’ The brand also recently took its PR in-house, fueling speculation that a ‘big story’ is coming up.
Interesting to read that @erdem has just taken its PR in house and appointed Kathryn Lo as PR Manager… is it a sign that a big story is coming up? 👰💍#royalwedding #meghanmarkle
— Emily Nash (@emynash) April 3, 2018
Something from Alexander McQueen
Kate Middleton tapped the label’s creative director Sarah Burton for her wedding dress, and her sister-in-law might do the same. In fact, a flurry of bets on the designer placed in late February actually prompted Betfair to suspend all wagers on the dress.
‘We previously had Ralph and Russo as the 2/1 [favorites] and there’s also been a lot of talk of Erdem as a big front-runner,’ a Betfair representative said in a statement. ‘However, we’ve now suspended this market after seeing some interesting betting on Alexander McQueen this morning, who went from 16/1 to 8/1 in a very short space of time.’
‘Either someone sneaky knows something, or there’s plenty of shrewd punters who are up on their fashion knowledge,’ the spokesperson added.
Other fashion labels in the mix include Roland Mouret, Burberry, Antonio Berardi, Gile Deacon, Elie Saab, Emilia Wickstead, Temperley London, Jenny Packham, and Amanda Wakeley.
From: Good Housekeeping US
PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images
ALSO READ:
Meghan Markle’s on-screen ‘Suits’ husband Patrick J Adams arrives in UK for royal wedding
