Step back in time to the 1980s, an era of bold fashion, unique trends, and memorable cultural moments. The decade was characterized by extravagant styles, vibrant colors, and a distinctive sense of celebration that permeated every aspect of life, including weddings.
These fascinating photos capture the essence of 1980s nuptials, showcasing the elaborate gowns, voluminous hairstyles, and the joyous spirit that defined weddings of this memorable period.
Princess Diana tops our list. Her wedding dress is one of the most famous ever, with over 750 million people watching her marry Prince Charles.
The dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was made of ivory silk taffeta and decorated with lace, ruffles, sequins, and pearls in a heart pattern. It featured a 25-foot train that left a lasting impression.
It was so special that they made a backup dress to keep the details secret before the wedding. This shows how important her dress was!
When Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew, she looked like a fairytale princess. Her 80s-style satin gown had long, slightly puffy sleeves and a 17-foot train.
Designer Lindka Cierach added special details to the dress. The couple's initials were embroidered on the train, along with bees and thistles for her family's crest and anchors and waves for Prince Andrew's naval career.
She wore a York diamond tiara, given by the Queen, and a 20-foot veil. She looked absolutely stunning.
The first noticeable thing is Scott's hair – high, mighty, and a bit unruly – perfect for a 1980s TV wedding.
Then there's Charlene's dress. Made in a suburban Melbourne bridal salon, this silk organza lace gown featured dramatic sleeves, countless flowers, and all the frills. Every "Neighbours" wedding is defined by the dress, but none is more memorable than Charlene's.
"It was perfect for the time," recalls Nicholas Wakerley, the show's costume designer. "There was a lot going on – frilly details, waistbands with flowers, Chantilly lace. It was the ’80s summed up in one fabulous mess.
"Reg Watson [Neighbours’ creator] wanted the wedding to be like a fairy-tale. They achieved that with the dress."
The dress has since become an iconic part of Australian TV history and is currently on display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Considered a power couple in the late '80s, actress Demi Moore married actor Bruce Willis just four months after they met.
The Hollywood pair tied the knot at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas in 1987. They followed this with a grand second ceremony in December, officiated by Little Richard.
Demi, known for her great sense of style, wore a stunning lace wedding dress with long sleeves and a high neck. It looked amazing on her and perfectly captured her elegance.
The short wedding dress that Rita Wilson wore on her wedding day was memorable.
The actress married actor Tom Hanks in a short bodycon-style dress adorned with ruffles and lace. She completed her look with an updo and a simple veil.
Jacquie got married in 1986, during the peak of the power-dressing trend. She wanted a classic and modest wedding dress.
Living in Hong Kong, she found beautiful silk fabric. Jacquie asked her old friend Pat to make her wedding gown exactly what she wanted.
Interestingly, Jacquie's dress didn't have the oversized shoulders typical of the 1980s. This gives her wedding photo a timeless, classic look that doesn't scream '80s fashion.
In contrast, Karen chose a daring wedding dress with a low cowl back, highlighting her petite frame and her beautiful back. Her dress showed elements of 1980s fashion, especially in the sleeves and shoulder line.
Nosegays, small flower bouquets, were popular for bridesmaids, often in peach. Brides still used shower and trail flower sprays, but by the late 1990s, loose, natural arrangements tied with straw or ribbon became fashionable.
In the 1980s, popular bridal fabric colors included white, ivory, cream, and soft shades like champagne or pale magnolia pink. These trends followed the wedding fashion set by Princess Diana in 1981 and Sarah Ferguson in 1986.
Bonnie C. Likely studied fashion design in college. She wore a gown she designed and made herself. “I hoped to look different than the other brides of the era,” said Ms. Likely. “No big shoulders and no big hair.”
The couple were married on June 12, 1982, in Brookline, Mass. “My wedding gown was from House of Bianchi, a Boston designer in those days,” said Ms. Dunn. “I loved the gown and it was the only one I tried on.”
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