Behind every extraordinary global phenomenon is a woman that blazed a trail (at least, that’s our motto!) To kick off Women’s Month, we’ve gathered a group of influential women in history who made an impact on the world as we know it—as well as walked down the aisle in style. From why we traditionally wear white to say I-DO to activists, Supreme Court justices, and royalty, read your way through these iconic women and their I-DOs.
ABOVE: photo via Hello!
Rocking a vintage, pearl-embroidered white satin dress for her wedding to Norwegian businessman Arne Næss Jr., Supremes lead singer Diana Ross married her iconic style with wedding day elegance thanks to an abundance of fresh florals and an antique lace veil.
Perhaps one of the most recognized Supreme Court Justices in history, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and is remembered for her legacy steeped in the fight for gender equality. She married Martin Ginsburg in an intimate at-home affair in Martin's parent's Long Island living room.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama wore a traditional wedding gown with a Bardot neckline to marry President Barack Obama in Chicago nearly 30 years ago. Having initially met at a law firm where Michelle was instructed to mentor Barack, the renowned pair continues to be candid about their long-term relationship and the importance of commitment.
Regarded as one of the most beloved actresses of the 1950s and 60s, Audrey Hepburn brought the same charm and elegance to her wedding day attire as she did to her onscreen looks. The actress married fellow actor Mel Ferrer during a secret ceremony in Switzerland, wearing a tea-length Pierre Balmain-designed ensemble and a crown of roses.
A woman of many accolades, Malala Yousafzai Malik is a Pakistani activist for women's education and the world's youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate—the second Pakistani ever to receive a Nobel Prize. "In Asser, I found a best friend and companion," said Malala to British Vogue of her husband, Asser Malik. The pair celebrated their nikkah with their closest loved ones during an at-home affair in Birmingham.
Respected for her work in international criminal law and human rights, Amal Clooney married actor George Clooney in a three-day luxury affair in Italy. The bride walked down the aisle in a custom Chantilly lace gown crafted by Oscar de la Renta.
Japanese artist and musician Yoko Ono modeled the epitome of 1960s fashion when she wed Beatles superstar John Lennon in 1969. The bride donned a mini skirt, knee-high socks, and a white-brimmed hat for their 10-minute long elopement.
Wearing one of the most recognizable wedding gowns in history, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, donned a long-sleeve custom gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey. The Victorian-inspired corset is recognized as an Alexander McQueen trademark.
One of the most influential women in history, and carrying the longest train in royal wedding history at 25-feet long, Diana, Princess of Wales, captured 750 million on television when she walked down the aisle to wed Prince Charles at St. Paul's Cathedral. "[The dress] was the fulfillment of her princess fantasy," wrote Diana biographer Tina Brown. "She was insistent in her demand for its puffy sleeves and floating silk, its twenty-five-foot taffeta train, its nipped waist, and its antique lace embroidered with pearls and sequins."
Tennis player Serena Williams donned a princess-inspired ball gown via Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen for her New Orleans I-DO to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Williams has revolutionized the game of tennis, winning more Grand Slam titles than any woman or man in the open era.
In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova (a Soviet cosmonaut) became the first woman to ever go to space. Five months after her historic return home, Tereshkova married her husband, Andrian Nikolayev.
Born and raised in Japan, Junko Tabei made history as the first woman to ever climb to Everest’s Summit and the first woman to complete the Seven Summits by climbing the tallest mountain on every continent. The trailblazer married noteworthy mountaineer Masanobu Tabei, who further supported her efforts and achievements in climbing.
Margaret Thatcher, the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century, was the first woman to hold that office making her one of the most influential women in history. The Iron Lady wed husband Dennis Thatcher during an intimate ceremony at Wesley’s Chapel in London, to which she wore a velvet blue wedding gown.
A true trailblazer of the white wedding dress Queen Victoria chose against wearing the traditional red ermine robe of state to marry Prince Albert in 1840, opting instead for a white gown—popular throughout the era’s fashion magazines. She chose the color because of its innate ability to showcase the gown’s delicate lace, white later becoming the definitive wedding color of innocence and courtship.
Tanya McCloskey and Marcia Kadish became the first same-sex couple to legally marry in the U.S. on May 17, 2004. Having been together for 20 years, the pair officially tied the knot at Cambridge City Hall in Massachusetts. “We wanted to lead by example, not that we were leaders of anything,” Kadish said to American University Radio WAMU. “We just wanted to make sure that the world saw the most positive side of being a gay couple.”
Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, married Prince Harry in a traditionally sophisticated gown created by Claire Waight Keller, the first female artistic director under the Givenchy label. Keller also designed Markle’s 16-foot veil that featured hand-embroidered flowers representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country.
During a courthouse affair in Santa Barbara, Kamala Harris, the first female vice president, first Asian American vice president, and highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, married her husband, Douglass Emhoff. The couple celebrated with an intimate service and a small group of loved ones.
The longest-serving First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, married President Franklin D. Roosevelt in an intimate ceremony at a family member’s New York townhome. Eleanor is renowned for her work as an activist, diplomat, politician, and Formative Leader of the League of Women Voters.
A bridal look synonymous with royalty and elegance, actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in a gown that would become one of the most memorable in history. The gown was designed by MGM designer Helen Rose, and the veil was specifically crafted not to hide her face.
Perhaps one of the most famous I-DOs of all time, the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip is still regarded after 70 years. Queen Elizabeth's dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, who submitted the winning designs for the gown, which were approved less than three months before the wedding.
Known as one of the most iconic actresses of the 1950s—with her films grossing over $200 million—Marilyn Monroe wed third husband playwright Arthur Miller in a judge’s office in White Plains, New York. The actress wore a simple and sleek empire waist body-hugging gown for the ceremony.
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is an influential trailblazer in art and pop culture thanks to her exploration of gender, class, and race when it came to the frequent subjects of her paintings. The artist married fellow world-renowned painter Diego Rivera in 1929.
