(Culture)
5 Romantic Wedding Dresses Inspired By Kate Upton’s Stunning Bridal Style
The celebrity wedding archives is chock-full of dreamy, jaw-dropping dresses that will forever influence the modern bride-to-be. The one year, though, that proved to be the ultimate source of bridal style inspiration? 2017, a time when Miranda Kerr's Grace Kelly-inspired gown and Kate Upton's romantic wedding dress made their official debuts — and just a few months apart, too. What's more, both models had a hand in designing their one-of-kind frocks, meaning the gowns weren't only stunning, but also a true reflection of their personal style.
Much like Kerr, Upton kept her wedding dress (and the designer behind it) tight-lipped until she officially said "I do" — and to say the reveal was worth the wait would be a serious understatement. The 26-year-old wed Justin Verlander in Nov. 2017 in the most breathtakingly beautiful custom-made Valentino gown that drew inspiration from the couple's nuptial location: Tuscany, Italy.
“For my ceremony dress, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the fantastic team at Valentino,” Upton shared with Vogue in 2017. “They are the best at creating delicate, beautiful lace and details, and their Italian heritage kept the fashion and feel authentic to our venue."
"The design process was extremely collaborative, so I was able to really include my personal style and create my dream dress," she added.
And a dress plucked straight from a dream it certainly was. Upton's floral-embroidered, Chantilly lace wedding gown featured demure, lace sleeves and a frothy, full skirt that extended into a tasteful train. It was certainly a more modest choice, but one that felt inherently romantic and elegant, much like the couple's ceremony setting: a secret garden at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco resort in Tuscany.
Upton completed her bridal style with a pair of glitter-flecked Manolo Blahniks — a designer many celebrity brides have turned to for their wedding-day shoes — and a dramatic, cathedral-length veil that truly wowed.
Her beauty look was simple, classic, and inspired by Grace Kelly — what's more perfect than that? Upton's hairstylist created carefree, brushed-out curls that were easygoing but still exuded retro-glam charm, while her makeup artist focused on the eyes and lips, with a small wing on the lids and a warm-peach pout.
Upton's wedding-day look is the epitome of effortlessly-chic — and her stunning, one-of-kind gown might inspire you to go a more romantic route on your big day, too. While you won't be able to get your hands on the model's exact dress, there are plenty of replicas available that are just as jaw-dropping. Shop The Zoe Report's favorites, below.
