New Year’s Eve on Polka Dot Bride means one very certain thing – a wrap up of the celebrity weddings of the year! For over ten years, we’ve spent the last night of the year taking a look back at the moments that wowed us and sharing memories of the year that was, the weddings that made the biggest impression on us and the world. We would love to hear which celebrity weddings you adored this year!
Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian
Photography by Mel Barlow, Bob Metelus and Erica Rodriguez
With sporting’s elite on the guest list, and a newborn baby waiting in the wings, it was a cold November day in New Orleans that set the scene for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian to tie the knot.
The bride wore a beautiful Sarah Burton ballgown with 2017’s most gorgeous trend – a glittering cape – adorning her shoulders for the ceremony. Her bridesmaids, in Galia Lahav, assisting the bride with two more gown changes during the reception, including a Versace number with comfortable sneakers ready for dancing.
The fairytale sweetness of the ceremony and roaring celebration of the reception were a nod to 2017’s mix of tradition and fun.
Kate Upton & Justin Verlander
Photo by KT Merry
It was the most romantic of Italian days when Kate Upton and Justin Verlander said ‘I do’ in their Tuscan destination wedding. In a long-sleeve, lace Valentino gown, the bride said her vows to the groom, who wore a classic black tuxedo, under an olive branch arch.
The peach dahlias, olive leaves and Italian location ticked all the boxes for popular wedding choices this year; this celebration mastering the art of a gorgeous and glam destination celebration.
Kerrie Hess & Peter Collins
Photo by Bonnie Cee
Much loved Australian illustrator Kerrie Hess rounded out an amazing year by tying the knot with Peter Collins at Byron Bay’s Deux Belettes. The bride wore an elegant off-the-shoulder gown by her dear friend George Wu. Celebrating with guests in a floral filled wonderland, the bride carrying a sweet posy of pale pink blooms down the aisle.
Miranda Kerr & Evan Spiegel
Photo by Patrick Demarchelier
In a custom-made, long-sleeve Dior gown with appliqued flowers, inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding gown, Miranda Kerr wed Evan Spiegel in a backyard, twilight ceremony at their California home. Miranda’s son Flynn acted as ringbearer and an open marquee hosted the reception, where Jason Mraz performed for the guests, surrounded by pink roses and pillar candles.
Miranda’s wedding was such a big one in 2017 – Vogue Magazine documenting the creation of her gown by Dior’s first female designer Maria Grazia Chiuri in a behind-the-scenes video series.
Julianne Hough & Brooks Laich
Photo by Sarah Falugo
Dressed in a strapless Marchesa ballgown Julianne Hough married Brooks Laich. The couple choosing a property the bride had visited throughout her childhood in Idaho for their vows.
The bride chose to change into a sheer, beaded gown (also by Marchesa) over a white bodysuit as the reception got underway and was surprised by her bridesmaids with a choreographed dance routine to Sia’s “The Greatest”.
The couple chose a four-day celebration for their guests – including boat tours and water sports fun in the sunshine – and welcomed guests to a celebratory dinner complete with ice cream van. The relaxed four-day festival was completely in line with how couples celebrated in 2017.
Pippa Middleton & James Matthews
Image via US Weekly
In a wedding that was the most anticipated of the year for royal watchers, Pippa Middleton tied the knot with James Matthews at the traditional St. Mark’s Church in Berkshire, England in the month of May. The bride wore a high-neck, lace gown by Giles Deacon.
The bride’s sister, dressed in blush pink, guided the crowd of flower girls and page boys dressed in knee-length knickerbocker style pants and dresses.
After cake and toasts at Englefield House, guests celebrated in a glass marquee on the Middleton family property. Live music, a Spitfire display, whiskey bar and photobooth led to an evening of revelry; the bride changing into a Pronovias gown as she danced the night away.
With many couples adding back traditional elements to their day, the wedding of Pippa and James was a proud celebration of classic style with plenty of modern fun.
Idina Menzel & Aaron Lohr
Photo by Amy and Stuart Photography
A backyard wedding was just the ticket for Idina Menzel and Aaron Lohr. The bride, also known as Frozen’s Elsa, chose September for the wedding, her father and son walking her down the aisle to Aaron. Idina chose an off-the-shoulder, lace gown by Carolina Herrera tied with a velvet ribbon as guests danced amongst twinkle lights and fresh flowers.
With Frozen being so loved by so many around the world, the exciting news of the wedding, announced on Twitter sent everyone abuzz – the two musical stars much loved for their own contributions to those favourite singalongs.
Backyard weddings were as treasured as ever in 2017, and while some of our own backyards are much smaller, 2017 saw a trend for the backyard wedding leaving its casual roots behind and turning a little more glam.
Samira Wiley & Lauren Morelli
Photo by Jose Villa via Martha Stewart Weddings
Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli, who met while working on the hit show Orange Is The New Black, chose a fun-filled Southern California wedding to say their I do’s. The couple wed outdoors, in a ceremony officiated by their parents, before the newlyweds entered their reception to Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and danced under a shower of confetti.
The brides both chose Christian Siriano pieces for their wedding, Samira wearing an off-the-shoulder two piece ballgown while Lauren wore a stunning jumpsuit with high neck lace overlay and cape. The pieces were right on trend for the fashion-forward styling of 2017 and the styles a nod to couples completely choosing their own way.
Jim Parsons & Todd Spiewak
Photo by Amber Gress Photography via TheRealJimParsons Instagram
After fourteen years together, Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak tied the knot in May at New York’s Rainbow Room. The newlyweds dressed in classic black Tom Ford tuxedos, before changing into cream and a burgundy velvet jackets as the reception celebrations began. The couple’s wedding planner, Melissa Mcneely married the couple underneath a flower-decorated chuppah before a sit-down reception and an evening of dancing.
The rainbow room location and its significance to the couple was right on trend with this year’s tendancy to choose unusual, but incredibly special and personal locations – some that may have never seen a wedding before!
Danielle Panabaker & Hayes Robbins
The classic beauty of the wedding of actress Danielle Panabaker and Hayes Robbins was so much of what 2017 was about. Beautiful light, simply elegant details and intimate, beautiful celebrations. These two chose a beautifully elegant, yet classic Monique Lhuillier gown and celebrated with guests in a doughnut-filled reception.
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