Elizabeth Taylor married eight times, and she almost never dressed the same way twice. She went from a traditional white ball gown to a tailored suit, sheer chiffon with a hood, a short yellow dress, flowing green and finally lemon lace. For a stylist, that range is gold, because it means there’s a Taylor reference for nearly every kind of wedding. The 20 Elizabeth Taylor Wedding Dress Ideas below translate her looks for church ceremonies, courthouse vows, receptions and destination weddings, each with the shoes, jewelry and beauty that finish it. The trick with any famous dress is borrowing its idea rather than copying it seam for seam.
Ivory, Yellow or Emerald? Testing a Bridal Color Against Your Skin
Half of her wedding looks weren’t white, and that’s the part most brides find hardest to copy. Color sits right next to your face all day and in every close-up, so I treat choosing a shade like choosing foundation.
- Hold the fabric swatch under your chin in daylight, with no makeup on. If your skin looks gray or sallow, the shade is wrong, however much you like it on the hanger.
- Take a phone photo with flash and one without. Pale yellows and sages can wash out to cream under flash, and deep greens can drop toward black in low light.
- Check warm against cool. Gold-leaning yellows and olive greens suit warm undertones; lemon, mint and blue-greens usually suit cooler ones.
- Match accessories to the real dress, not a picture of it. Dye lots vary, and an off-tone shoe or veil shows more on a colored gown than on white.
If your family expects white, a colored reception dress or a tinted veil can be a gentler way in. It still feels like your choice without turning the ceremony into a debate.
1. Elizabeth Taylor White Satin Ball Gown With Veil
Her 1950 wedding to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton gave us the classic: a Helen Rose gown with a nipped waist, long sleeves, pearl detail and a very full skirt. Today I’d build it in ivory satin with a structured bodice and a cathedral train. The waist is what makes or breaks it, so put your alteration budget there; a waist that sits even half an inch low loses the Old Hollywood shape. A fingertip veil with a narrow satin edge keeps it from looking ornate. Pearl drop earrings, pointed ivory pumps and a compact bunch of white roses are enough, with soft waves, rosy makeup and a pale manicure.
2. Elizabeth Taylor Pearl Embroidered Wedding Gown With Tiara
Seed pearls give texture without sparkle, which is a quieter kind of luxury than crystals. Look for them scattered over the bodice, the cuffs and the top of the skirt. A high neck and long fitted sleeves bring the 1950s feeling; a lighter, layered skirt keeps it wearable. Hand-sewn pearls are heavy in quantity, so check the shoulders at your fitting for any drag. A small pearl tiara suits it far better than a big jeweled crown, with a soft tulle veil underneath that runs just past the train. Pearl studs, satin block heels and an ivory clutch for later. Keep the bouquet compact and symmetrical, white garden roses and greenery, so it doesn’t fight the embroidery.
3. Elizabeth Taylor Lace Ball Gown With Cathedral Veil
Want her first silhouette in something softer? Lace does it. Pick a fitted lace gown with a natural waist, covered buttons down the back and a full A-line skirt, ideally with floral lace over a pale ivory lining so the pattern has depth. A cathedral veil with lace appliqués along the bottom edge brings the cinematic drama and ties the veil to the dress. Long veils need anchoring, and a low polished chignon gives the comb something solid to grip. Closed-toe satin heels, a fine diamond necklace and small matching earrings finish it, along with cream peonies and roses tied with satin ribbon.
4. Elizabeth Taylor Ivory Skirt Suit With Floral Headpiece
For her 1952 wedding to actor Michael Wilding, Taylor chose a fitted skirt suit with a crisp white collar instead of a gown, and it still looks sharp. Here it comes in ivory: a jacket with a defined waist, covered buttons and a neat rounded collar, over a calf-length skirt. Put a silk camisole underneath so you can open the jacket later. I’d have the jacket fitted with your arms raised, because a suit cut only for standing straight pulls across the back the moment you hug anyone. Skip the veil for a small floral headpiece above one ear. Ivory pumps, pearl earrings, short gloves and a top-handle bag for after. A courthouse ceremony is where it shines.
5. Elizabeth Taylor Tea Length Wedding Suit With Pumps
A tea-length suit is lighter than a gown and still feels dressed. A softly tailored ivory jacket over a full skirt that ends between knee and ankle gives the 1950s outline, and the flare lets you walk normally. Wear a satin shell or lace blouse underneath, since the jacket usually comes off at the reception. What makes a suit read as bridal is the head and feet: slingback pumps, a miniature veil and pearl cluster earrings. A slim belt fixes a jacket that’s too loose at the waist. White tulips keep it clean. It sits right at city weddings and restaurant receptions where a full gown would feel too much.
6. Elizabeth Taylor White Chiffon Hooded Wedding Dress
For her 1957 wedding to Mike Todd, Taylor chose flowing chiffon, and this version turns that softness into a white silk chiffon dress with a hood. A column shape, sheer sleeves and a draped hood attached at the neckline do the work. Layer the chiffon over an opaque silk lining, because single-layer chiffon goes see-through in flash photography. The hood replaces the veil, and I pin it lightly into the hair at the crown so it doesn’t slide back every time you turn your head. Crystal earrings, a narrow bracelet and metallic ivory sandals add a little shine. White orchids in a cascade suit the fluid fabric; soft curls and luminous skin keep it from looking like costume.
7. Elizabeth Taylor Draped Courthouse Wedding Dress With Gloves
Civil ceremonies still deserve a bit of film-star presence. An ivory midi with a draped neckline, a softly fitted waist and long chiffon sleeves does it, with gathers through the bodice for interest and a narrow skirt for shape. Wrist-length gloves and pointed ivory pumps add the vintage touch. One thing to rehearse: you’ll need to slip off your left glove for the ring, so tuck it into your bouquet hand rather than fumbling with buttons. A short birdcage veil on a satin headband replaces a full veil. Pearl and crystal earrings, a petite bouquet, polished waves and a berry lip finish it.
8. Elizabeth Taylor Emerald Green Hooded Wedding Dress
In 1959, marrying Eddie Fisher, Taylor skipped white altogether for a deep green dress with sheer elements and a hood. The modern take is an emerald gown with a fitted lining, translucent long sleeves and a floor-length chiffon overlay, with the hood draped loosely around the shoulders in place of a veil. Green this deep can look almost black in dim rooms, so test the exact shade under the venue’s evening lighting if you can. Pointed metallic pumps or fine gold sandals, emerald drops, a slim gold bracelet and a small cream bouquet balance it. Keep the hair smooth and low so the hood settles naturally. It comes into its own at an evening ceremony indoors.
9. Elizabeth Taylor Forest Green Gown With Sheer Sleeves
Forest green gives the hooded look a softer take, without the hood. A floor-length gown with sheer bishop sleeves, a fitted waist and a fluid skirt, plus a high draped neckline, frames the face the same way. Set a jeweled comb above a low bun and wear gold drop earrings; gold warms green, where silver can make it look cold. Metallic low heels stay formal and comfortable. Darker dresses need lighter flowers, so carry cream roses, white anemones and eucalyptus loosely gathered. A small gold clutch holds the essentials later. I’d steer autumn brides toward this one first.
10. Elizabeth Taylor Yellow Babydoll Wedding Dress With Floral Crown
Taylor’s short yellow dress from her first wedding to Richard Burton, designed by Irene Sharaff, is one of the best-known celebrity bridal looks. It had an empire waist, sheer sleeves and a knee-length hem. Remake it in marigold or butter yellow with a softly gathered skirt and fine sleeve cuffs. Yellow is fussy about skin tone: butter suits cool, pink complexions, marigold flatters warmer ones. A floral crown of white blossoms and greenery nods to her elaborate hair, and gold slingbacks lengthen the leg. Add a jeweled brooch, small diamond earrings and a petite bouquet, with defined eyes and a peach lip. It’s at its best at a garden or destination ceremony.
11. Elizabeth Taylor Yellow Empire Waist Midi Dress
If a babydoll mini feels too short, take the same shape down to midi length. Pale yellow chiffon with an empire seam just below the bust and a skirt that falls without much volume is the version I’d suggest to brides who love the idea but not the hemline. Sheer bracelet-length sleeves keep it light. Champagne block heels and a structured ivory mini bag ground it. A narrow crystal headband gives bridal sparkle without copying the floral crown. Simple drop earrings, white ranunculus with yellow-centered flowers, and loose curls or a soft twisted updo suit a spring ceremony outdoors.
12. Elizabeth Taylor Marigold Mini Dress With Flower Headpiece
Marigold at mini length is the most fashion-forward way to borrow from her 1964 look. A structured empire bodice, translucent long sleeves and an A-line skirt a few inches above the knee give it a sharper line than the original. Short dresses put shoes on show, so cream pointed pumps or low slingbacks need to be as considered as the dress. Small white flowers tucked along one side of a full updo replace the crown. A vintage-style brooch at the shoulder, diamond studs and a tiny bouquet of lily of the valley or white roses keep everything in proportion. It also makes a sharp reception change after a traditional gown.
13. Elizabeth Taylor Green Ombré Chiffon Wedding Dress
When she remarried Richard Burton in Botswana in 1975, Taylor wore a flowing Gina Fratini dress that suited the relaxed outdoor setting. This version borrows that mood in a long chiffon gown shaded from pale sage at the shoulders to emerald or teal at the hem. Dyed ombré varies from one dress to the next, so look at the actual piece in daylight rather than trusting a screen. A gathered neckline, loose sleeves and a soft waist move easily. Flat metallic sandals cope with uneven ground. A feather or floral comb in a textured updo, gold hoops and stacked bangles finish it, with cream flowers and foliage loosely gathered. Lakeside and tropical settings suit it best.
14. Elizabeth Taylor Rainbow Chiffon Gown With Feather Headpiece
Multicolored chiffon captures her nerve without copying a single historical dress. Look for green, blue, coral and lavender blended like watercolor across a floor-length gown with a gathered bodice and a skirt that moves outdoors. Prints this soft can go muddy if too many colors meet, so I look for a print where one or two shades clearly lead. Strappy gold sandals and a metallic clutch give the fabric a polished base. A small feather headpiece above a loose bun nods to the second Burton wedding. Oversized gemstone earrings and a few slim bangles, then cream orchids and greenery so the bouquet stays out of the way. Adventurous destination brides are who I picture in it.
15. Elizabeth Taylor Sage Green Wedding Dress With Gold Sandals
Sage is the gentlest way into a non-white wedding dress, and it’s kind to most skin tones. Choose a pleated chiffon gown with a wrap bodice, flutter sleeves and a lightly fitted waist, falling to the floor in narrow folds. Wrap bodices gape when you lean, so a hidden snap at the cross point is worth asking your seamstress for. Low gold sandals with a matching clutch, emerald or peridot earrings set in gold, and a soft updo with a few curls loose around the face. A small comb with green feathers or crystals adds the glamour. White peonies, pale green hydrangeas and olive branches suit a garden, coast or lakeside.
16. Elizabeth Taylor Ivory Long Sleeve Midi Dress With Pearls
Plenty of brides want her glamour minus the train, color and headpiece. An ivory long-sleeve midi delivers that. Choose a fitted bodice with a bateau neckline and a softly flared skirt below the knee, in crepe or silk for a clean line, with pearl-covered cuffs as the one vintage detail. Crepe hides creases from sitting far better than satin, which matters for a dress you’ll wear all day. Ivory slingbacks, pearl drops and a structured top-handle bag go with it. A short veil clipped to a pearl headband turns it ceremonial. Cream roses and white sweet peas, brushed waves, defined lashes and a classic rose lip. You can dance in it all night.
17. Elizabeth Taylor Lemon Lace Valentino Gown
For her 1991 wedding to Larry Fortensky, Taylor wore a custom lemon-colored Valentino gown with lace and a tiered skirt. A modern tribute keeps the pale lemon lace bodice, long sleeves and a flowing floor-length skirt, with layered lace panels for volume and a fitted waist for shape. Matching shoes are harder than they sound; pale yellow satin pumps are often easier to have dyed than to find. Diamond cluster earrings and a bracelet, no necklace, so the neckline stays clear. A sheer lemon veil beneath a polished updo ties it together, and cream roses mixed with soft yellow flowers finish it. It feels right for an estate wedding or a later-in-life marriage.
18. Elizabeth Taylor Tiered Lace Wedding Dress With Satin Heels
Tiered lace gives movement and texture in one move. An ivory or pale champagne gown with a fitted lace bodice and soft tiers starting below the hips, plus long sheer sleeves, balances volume with a light top half. Tiers add bulk with every layer, so on petite brides I’d keep it to three or four. A shoulder-length veil keeps the layers visible. Satin pointed heels, diamond studs and a small crystal comb finish it, with a narrow, elongated bouquet of white roses rather than a round one. A smooth low bun shows the neckline and earrings. It’s her later glamour in a neutral palette that’s easy to make your own.
19. Elizabeth Taylor Old Hollywood Reception Gown With Diamonds
A reception look in her spirit has to be glamorous and still let you dance. Bias-cut ivory satin with a draped neckline, a fitted waist and a gently flared hem does both, because bias-cut fabric stretches with you. It’s also unforgiving of lumpy underwear, so plan smooth, edge-free undergarments. Add a detachable feather-trimmed cape or a sheer chiffon wrap for the entrance, then drop it. Crystal sandals, dramatic drop earrings, a statement bracelet and a small metallic bag carry the sparkle. Glossy side-parted waves, softly defined eyes and a deep rose lip give the Hollywood finish. It’s an easy second dress after a full ball gown.
20. Elizabeth Taylor Jewel Tone Second Wedding Dress With Cape
Jewel tones suit her love of color and big jewelry, and they make sense for a second wedding where traditional white may not feel right. Choose a sapphire, amethyst or emerald column gown with a detachable chiffon cape falling from the shoulders to the floor, which gives a veil’s drama without looking conventionally bridal. Metallic heels, gemstone drops and one bold cocktail ring are plenty; the color and the cape already speak loudly. A compact bunch of cream roses makes the contrast. Wear a polished updo or full brushed waves, depending on the neckline. It suits an evening ceremony, a vow renewal or a formal reception.
Where Film-Star Dressing Turns Into Costume, and How to Pull It Back
Recreating a famous dress feels like a lovely idea until the photos come back looking like a themed party. The line usually gets crossed in three places.
Too Many References at Once
A hood, gloves, a brooch, a birdcage veil and red lips all on one bride is a costume. Pick one strong vintage element, the hood or the gloves or the pearl cuffs, and keep the rest of the outfit modern.
Fabric That Can’t Behave Like the Original
Mid-century gowns relied on silk chiffon, silk satin and real lace with a lot of hand finishing. Cheap polyester versions crease differently, cling with static and shine harshly in flash. If budget limits you, put the good fabric where it’s seen up close, the bodice and sleeves, and save on the lining and underskirt.
Hair and Makeup Played Too Literally
Heavy winged liner, a stiff set and matte red lips read as fancy dress on most modern faces. Soften one of them. Brushed-out waves instead of a rigid set, or a rose lip instead of true red, keeps the reference while still looking like you.
Borrow Her Nerve, Not Her Exact Dress
What makes Taylor such a useful reference is that she never stuck to one idea of a bride. Satin, a tailored suit, chiffon, bright yellow, deep green, ombré and lace all came from the same woman. Start with the look that feels closest to your own personality, then adjust the color, length, coverage, accessories and shoes for your venue and comfort. A pearl ball gown and a jewel-tone dress with a cape are both honest tributes, as long as the styling hangs together. Pick the version that feels like you on a very good day, not like a costume of her.
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