Photo: Instagram.com/parishilton
Covid pretty much killed the big wedding in 2020, the year when micro weddings officially became a thing. In 2021, even on planet celebrity, the impact of the pandemic was still very much being felt. Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez opted for an intimate affair at home in LA (in front of the fireplace, to be specific). Emily in Paris star Lily Collins exchanged vows with Charlie McDowell in a small ceremony in Colorado, wearing an elegant hooded dress by Ralph Lauren.
Over in London, Lorraine Pascale was reunited with her actor daughter Ella Balinska for the first time in 18 months at her wedding in July. She married Dennis O’Brien at Chelsea Town Hall – in a breathtaking Vivienne Westwood gown – followed by a languid lunch at Beaverbrook.
Scroll on for the sweet details from 2021’s celebrity weddings.
Ariana Grande
On 15 May, set against the dreamy candlelit backdrop of her palatial Montecito home, Ariana Grande said “I do” to real estate agent Dalton Gomez. Vera Wang made all of the star’s wedding dress dreams come true – making good on a promise she made to Grande at the Met Gala a few years ago. She created a custom lily white, silk charmeuse column gown with an elegant plunging open-back. Grande, who’s a sucker for platforms, sported silky Giuseppe Zanotti heels on her big day.
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton and Carter Reum delivered an predictably extravagant bash at the former Bel Air estate of Paris’s late grandfather, Barron Hilton, complete with myriad flower arrangements and a five-tier cake. The dress did not disappoint: Paris wore a high-neck gown by Oscar de la Renta, scattered with floral appliqué. “I love how it turned out. I wanted something that was timeless, elegant, chic, and iconic, and I am so happy,” she said. For the evening festivities, she changed into a puffball mini dress (also by Oscar de la Renta).
Arwa Al Banawi
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When Saudi designer Arwa Al Banawi decided to tie the knot this January, she went with Jessica Andreatta from Australian bridal and couture house J. Andreatta for her dreamy wedding dress, which featured Arabic embroidery which read out “The sun, the moon, the desert and the sea, sunrise, and sunset.”
Lily Collins
Lily Collins shared the joyous news that she was married via Instagram. “I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife. On September 4th, 2021 we officially became each other’s forever. I love you beyond,” the newlywed wrote. The actor said her vows to Charlie McDowell surrounded by nature at Dunton Hot Springs, wearing a bespoke Ralph Lauren gown with a matching hooded veil.
Lalla Nouhaila Bouchentouf
Lalla Nouhaila Bouchentouf and Ali El Hajji. Photo: Twitter.com/MAP_information
In the midst of Covid-19, Lalla Nouhaila Bouchentouf, niece of King Mohammed VI, tied the knot with Ali El Hajji in an intimate ceremony. Dressed in an emerald and gold kaftan, the bride completed her wedding look with a dainty tiara and veil.
Malala Yousafzai
“I found a best friend and companion,” wrote Malala Yousafzai in her personal account of her romantic private wedding to Asser Malik. Planning was a family affair, or a “group effort” as Malala wrote. “My mother and her friend got my wedding clothes from Lahore, Pakistan. Asser’s mother and sister gave me the jewellery I wore. My father booked the food and decorations. My assistants organised photographers and a make-up artist. My three best girlfriends from school and Oxford took off work and travelled to be there. I put henna on my hands myself, after discovering I was the only one of my family and friends who had the talent! Asser spent several hours in the mall with me the day before the ceremony, buying his pink tie and pocket square and my sandals. My little brothers even wore suits.”
Jennifer Gates
After Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar proposed to Jennifer Gates on her favorite ski run, the duo tied the knot in Westchester County, New York. The bride wore a custom ivory long-sleeve A-line Vera Wang Haute gown with hand appliqué French macrame lace.
Gwen Stefani
Lorraine Pascale
The ever-glamorous Lorraine Pascale looked to Vivienne Westwood for her striking bridal look. The former Chanel model and British Vogue contributing editor walked down the aisle wearing a sculpted gown with a short hemline at the front and a sweeping train at the back. Pascale’s daughter Ella Balinska gave her away at the end of June, wearing an equally chic pale blue suit by Alexander McQueen.
Jasmine Tookes
Model Jasmine Tookes didn’t have to think hard about who she wanted to make her wedding look. She only had one designer in mind – Zuhair Murad. “I wanted him to make my dress from the moment I walked in his first couture show,” she told Vogue. The result? A timeless gown with a lace bodice and spectacular 15-foot train. The September ceremony was just as enchanting as the dress: Tookes wed Juan David Borrero at a Catholic church in the heart of Quito, followed by a picturesque ceremony at a hacienda close by.
Lara Stone
Supermodel Lara Stone and property developer David Grievson enjoyed a sunny July ceremony. Like Lily Collins, Stone shared her surprise news on Instagram. “Got to marry my love this weekend,” she wrote alongside black-and-white snaps from her big day. Appropriately, she wore a breezy dress by Tephi, the dress brand founded by Francesca Grievson – her new sister-in-law.
Lena Dunham
Lena Dunham and Luis Felber went from whirlwind romance to impromptu wedding in a matter of months. Guests gathered at Soho’s Union Club to watch the couple marry under a brightly-coloured chuppah designed by florist Gail Smith. Lena wore not one but three dresses by Christopher Kane – he also dressed the bridal party and hand-picked the small details, including Lena’s Miu Miu heels. Luis sported an effortlessly cool blue suede suit by Emily Bode.
Uzo Aduba
Uzo Aduba didn’t actually get married in 2021 – she wed Robert Sweeting last year, but she chose to reveal the news with followers on their first anniversary. This September, Uzo posted a wedding day selfie of her and Sweeting and during a live interview in November she revealed further details. “A lot of Amazon and Etsy gets you through,” she said, explaining that she wed “just quietly and with a small group, of course — our most loved and closest family and friends. It was awesome.”
Issa Rae
Issa Rae tied the knot in the South of France with a ceremony held at the spectacular Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. Rae wed Louis Diame – who wore a custom red velvet Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo – in a stunning strapless haute couture dress by Vera Wang, while bridesmaids wore pink spaghetti strap maxis.
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