The Most Iconic Wedding Dresses I've Painted

An iconic wedding dress designer like Elizabeth James (circa The Parent Trap)

*cue that top hat toss during the couture bridal fitting*

inspired a young girl I wanted to be a fashion designer –

I even taped together a pink and green cap-sleeve polka-dotted midi dress for my second grade teacher because I wasn’t allowed to sew yet …

– and consequently, I understand how much time you put into that iconic wedding dress decision.

Because whether it was a love at first sight kind of thing or you mulled it over for what felt like ages – your dress (just like the feeling of your wedding day) should be commemorated in a way you’ll enjoy forever.

Taking What I’ve Learned

In the same way, that dress you didn’t know you needed THAT EXACT ONE until you donned it, you don’t know how much you *need* something until you see it in person.

Most importantly, instead of burying the lede like I normally do…

Let me just tell you right here and right now – a live wedding painting (or a commissioned painting of your wedding) might seem extra – but I assure you, it’s THE THING you’ll treasure for decades to come.

“OH MY HEART! Look at my dress! I didn’t realize how much I would love and cherish this painting until I saw it. BRB, recommending you to all of my friends.”
^^^
Things I’ve overheard from actual clients while live painting.

As a live wedding painter, I’ve had the privilege of painting some iconic wedding dresses. Above all, your dress is more than the thing you wear when you say I do.

And in this post, I’m sharing some of the most iconic wedding dresses I’ve painted and why you need a live wedding painter to document your dress.

Millia London at Musee du Lourve, Paris

Bride in pink iconic wedding dress at the Lourve, paris

You may be interested in: This Family-Centered Fall Wedding Downtown…

This iconic Millia London couture gown is fit for a queen — and the most beautiful bride who is ready to have a traditional silhouette with a very modern look.

I mean, that pink is gorgeous. It’s everything.

The original image, captured by Redamancy Photo Film at Musee du Louvre inspired this iconic wedding dress painting.

Who wouldn’t happily run around Paris in this wedding gown!?

Vendors:
Photography and Cinematography | @redamancyphotofilm
MUHA | Laura Julliard @laura.julliard.mua
Gown | Millia London @millia.london
Couple | Sandra @sandraervv + Pablo @la_buzzz

Marchesa at The Ritz, Paris

Iconic wedding dresses at Ritz paris captured by KT Merry, painted by Courtney Kibby

These iconic wedding dresses captured by KT Merry

You may be interested in: Five Wedding Trends

Marchesa and Marchesa Bridal have a solid place in my heart. The florals, patterns, embroidery — each dress is so unique and beautiful. Each dress tells its own beautiful story.

This painting is from a beautiful shoot for Flutter Magazine, painted with permission from photographer KT Merry, and featuring an amazing team:

LOCATION |Ritz Paris
PHOTOGRAPHY |KT MERRY
DESIGN |Joy Proctor
FASHION STYLING |Gabrielle Hurwitz
FLORAL DESIGN |Florésie
HAIR & MAKEUP |Harold James
VIDEOGRAPHY |Zen Film Works
GOWN ONE |Monique Lhuillier
GOWNS TWO – FIVE |Marchesa
EARRINGS & BOW |Jennifer Behr
SHOES |Bella Belle
MODEL |Lada Salish

Monique Lhuillier in Lake Como, Italy

My love for Monique Lhuillier began long ago while I was searching for my own wedding dress. Her timeless silhouettes and luxurious fabrics caught my eye without even trying.

Sophia Bush and Grant Hughes were married at the Philbrook Museum of Art in June, and when I saw this dress by Monique Lhuillier how could I NOT paint it?!

As someone who doesn’t love the spotlight myself, I’m just in awe of the way @sophiabush and @grant_hughes_ used their wedding to draw attention to all that’s happening in Tulsa — so much love and kindness.

So as a thank you from Tulsa, I wanted to paint something in return. And tell me this dress doesn’t deserve *all* the paintings.

I’m thinking I need a vow renewal just to be able to wear one of her dresses.

Planning and Design @alison_events
Photography @normanandblake of the
@theweddingartistsco
Floral @bowsandarrowsflowers
Venue @philbrookmuseum
Wedding Dress @moniquelhuillier
@moniquelhuillierbride
Hair @matthewstylist
Makeup @afton

Iconic wedding dress by Monique Lhuillier at Lake Como

Lake Como iconic wedding dress by Monique Lhuillier photography by KT Merry

The lines on this iconic wedding gown is as stunning as ever. Light plays on the dress creates a dreamy feel, meanwhile KT’s image maintains the timeless classic chic that Monique Lhuillier is famous for.

GOWNS |Monique Lhuillier
ART DIRECTION + STYLING |Carrie Goldberg
PHOTOGRAPHY |KT MERRY
CINEMATOGRAPHY |Peyton Frank
PRODUCER |Muzam Productions
PLANNING |Lake Como Weddings
HAIR STYLIST |Brian Buenaventura
MAKEUP ARTIST |Victor Henao
MODEL |Théa Ros
FASHION ASSISTANT |Lexx + Co
PHOTO TEAM |Chad Keffer
PHOTO TEAM |Benjamin Rosser
PHOTO TEAM |Fabrizio Vigano

Valentino in Tuscany

Kate Upton wedding, photography by KT Merry, iconic wedding dress by Valentino

Valentino — an iconic brand in and of itself. Valentino is luxury brand I’ve know about since I was a child shuffling through my mother’s InStyle and Vogue magazines.

And PS — if you haven’t checked out the rest of Kate Upton’s look from this iconic wedding, click here and check it out.

PHOTOGRAPHY | KT MERRY

EVENT DESIGN & PRODUCTION | Lisa Vorce

VENUE | Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

RED GOWN | Valentino

FLOWERS | Tuscany Flowers

CEREMONY DRESS | Valentino

HAIR | John Ruggiero

MAKEUP | Tracy Murphy

ENGAGEMENT RING | Anita Ko

TUXEDO | Cicchini Custom Clothier

MADE OF HONOR GOWNS | Christy Rilling Studio

BRIDESMAIDS GOWNS | Needle & Thread

GREENHOUSE | Michelangelo Greenhouse

MUSIC | The Soul Brothers and The Kitts

Amsale at Villa Cetinale, Siena

I cannot get over this iconic wedding dress from Amsale at an editorial shoot by AMV Weddings.

Capturing the movement and light of this pink gown from Courtney Bowlden’s photograph was a total dream! It’s one of my favorite wedding gowns and paintings to date.

This dress is complete with a one-of-a kind flair that AMV Weddings is famous for showcasing.

Photography: Courtney Bowlden

Venue: Villa Cetinale @cetinale
Workshop Host| AMV Retreats @amv_retreats
Planning, Styling + Design| AMV Weddings @amv_weddings
Florist| Flowers Living @flowersliving
Furniture/Tabletop Rentals| Preludio Noleggio @preludiodivisionenoleggio
Hair/Makeup| Madeline Eleanor @ByMadelineEleanor
Cakes| Sweetie Pie Cakes @sweetiepie.love
Stationary| Inquisitive @inquisited
Menswear| Bucco Couture @buccocouture
Linens| Nuage Designs @nuagedesignsinc
Shoes| Harriet Wilde @harrietwildeshoes
Jewelry| Victor Barbone @victorbarbonejewelry
Cookies| Sadie May Cakes @sadiemaycakes
Styling Mats| Lindale Studios @lindalestudios
Styling Accessories| Curated Trove @thecuratedtrove
Ceremony Gown| Amsale @amsale
Ceremony Accessories| Megan Therese Couture @megantheresecouture
Accessories| @whitejasmineaccessories
Models| @bianca_senatore + @francescobrunetti

Hanneke Peters Couture in Switzerland

Bride in red iconic wedding dress, bride and groom walking back down the aisle

TELL ME YOU LOVE A COLORED WEDDING DRESS WITHOUT TELLING ME YOU LOVE A COLORED DRESS.

The way this red dress catches the light is magical, and it quite literally SHINES on top of that crisp white snow.

This bride stands out in the most beautiful way. She chose a wedding dress that matched her style and tells its own story.

Vivid Symphony captured this beautiful wedding, and I’m so thankful to have gotten to work with them to paint it.

“Your wedding should be a story of who you are. A collection of everything you love. A library of memories”
-Jessie Westwood, Founder of Studio Sorores

Valentine Bridal at The Mansion at Woodward Park, Oklahoma

Phillipa Lepley in England

About her dress, on Love My Dress bride Charis says:

“My Phillipa Lepley dress was the most amazing experience to create because I was able to place every petal and pearl on the cape with the ateliers. My mum sadly passed away several years ago so the incredible team at Phillipa Lepley designed and embroidered a beaded magnolia hidden into my Lily of the Valley cape. I also loved having a tulle cape because it still felt bridal but was much easier to wear and not feel constricted by.”

It was such a privilege to paint this for Charis and Dan. See more of their beautiful wedding, planned by Studio Sorores and photographed by Katie Julia here.

Anais Anette at Southern Hills Country Club, Oklahoma

Effortless and classic, Anais Anette creates beautifully timeless dresses that truly look effortless. Painting this one for Hope and Teddy was a dream come true. Not only were the wedding ceremony and reception stunning, but this dress is a total DREAM.

Simple in the front, with a modern low back. Hope looked effortlessly beautiful, which is how exactly how you want to look on your wedding day.

Stay tuned for a full post on Hope and Teddy’s wedding coming soon!

PLANNING BY ANNIE BRADY DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY FELTS
CINEMATOGRAPHY BY DAVE AND A CAMERA

Carolina Herrera at Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

About her gorgeous wedding dress, Dawson thought she knew what she wanted until she found the exact one she wanted.

To find her wedding dress, Dawson went to bridal stylist Julie Sabatino of The Stylish Bride for help. “Funnily enough, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted until we walked into Carolina Herrera and found THE dress,” Dawson shares. She expertly completed her ceremony gown with white Prada heels. And on the morning-of, she got ready with beauty team Claire Balest and Kelli Patten, who made the bride feel like the best version of herself.
Over the Moon

Painting these clean lines and the intricate details on her Carolina Herrera gown was so much fun! Read more about their wedding here.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC KELLEY

PLANNING BY EASTON EVENTS

Credits for this amazing wedding:
Planning + Design: #EastonEvents @eastonevents
Photographer: @EricKelley
Videographer: @StoryboxCinema
Floral + Design + Decor: @myrtieblue
Tent: @eventswithsoho
Lighting: @technicalevent
Entertainment: @ElanArtists
Catering + Venue: @watercolor_weddings
Custom Bar: @heathalanray
Custom Linens: @stradelydavidson
Cake: @sweetlysisters
Paper Products: @dearelouise
Dress: @CarolinaHerrera
Stylist: @TheStylishBride
Hair + Makeup: @ClaireBalest @kelli_teamclairebalest
Publication: @OverTheMoon #OTMBride
#otmweddings

WHY HIRE A WEDDING PAINTER?

Let’s cut to the chase. Your dress tells the unique story of you. Your wedding dress is typically one of the first things you fall in love with when planning your wedding, and it deserves to be commemorated in a place of honor in your home.

Your dress is a work of art.

You need to capture your own iconic wedding dress as the fine art piece that it is.

What better way to make your wedding dress truly stand the test of time than with a painting?

While these are iconic wedding dresses, here’s the real secret:

YOUR DRESS IS ICONIC BECAUSE IT’S YOURS.

So >> Let’s paint it.

Interested in a bridal portrait, wedding commission or a live wedding painting?

Let’s chat.

The Most Iconic Wedding Dresses I’ve Painted