Anya Taylor-Joy posing in her couture wedding dress after her Venice nuptials this weekend could have been a scene straight out of a classic film; the new bride looked every bit like a glamorous movie star as she looked out over the Italian streets below from her hotel balcony.
However, there was nothing classic about her custom wedding dress: it was a thoroughly modern affair. The Queen’s Gambit star, 27, who married musician Malcolm McRae in a lavish ceremony attended by 150 friends, opted for a stunning dress that broke every rule in the wedding book.
The star’s shoulder-exposing, tiered Dior dress was less white and more nude, crafted from a tulle fabric pinched by a bodice before transforming into a fairytale skirt. The only nod to tradition? A flowing white veil.
A closer look at the dress reveals that Taylor-Joy, Dior’s ambassador since 2021, enjoyed creating a dress that embraces the “hyper personal” trend by adding unique tailor-made details for the bride.
Her dress was full of hand-embroidered designs. The star chose designs inspired by nature and with symbolic meanings – including the constellations, her birth sign and a hummingbird, with sseveral words also sewn on the dress.
Anya Taylor-Joy pictured in her custom couture dress in Venice this weekend after marrying musician Malcolm McRae in front of 150 guests. The Queen’s Gambit star’s stunning dress was ‘hyper-personal,’ with a host of embroidered designs with personal meaning
Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the symbolisms chosen by the A-listerswith help from expert wedding consultant Sarah Bedingfield Shutt.
The wedding brand director says brides are increasingly looking for sustainable options when it comes to their big day, and Taylor-Joy’s dress is a perfect example. She says: ‘Brides are savvy and sustainability is so important. If your dream dress can also be worn again, isn’t that wonderful? »
And hyper-personalization is a new wedding buzzword: “A woman’s bridal look is such a focused opportunity for self-expression that it’s no surprise to see the The trend toward hyper-personalization comes into play more here.
“Brides are looking for real meaning: changing the straps or the sash won’t be enough. Personalized embroidery is incredibly popular, but I’m also seeing more bespoke colors, a return to the Victorian ‘language of flowers’ and, perhaps my favorite because it’s so accessible: the use of hidden, sewn-on labels with messages or illustrations from my loved ones.
THE Hummingbird and the Flower
Inseparable: A caramel-colored hummingbird is the main embroidered detail on the dress’s corseted bodice; the bird can mean luck, beauty, healing and love
On the corseted bodice, the scene stealer is a hummingbird diving into a flower. The hummingbird is often associated with luck, beauty and healing. In some parts of the world, these pretty birds are also a sign of love.
In an interview with She magazine, the actress alluded to her love for the hummingbird. When asked what her spirit animal might be, she replied, “I’d love to say a killer whale, but I don’t think I’m actually one.” I think I’m like both a big cat and a hummingbird.
CHERRY BLOSSOM AND JAPANESE WRITING
The national flower of Japan appears on the custom-made dress, as does what appears to be a line of Japanese writing.
The national flower of Japan is featured on the skirt of the dress, with a bloom of pink cherry blossoms embroidered near the front hem.
Known as ‘sakura’ in Japan, these fast-blooming flowers symbolize ‘renewal’ when they burst into bloom in spring – and are closely associated with Buddhism.
ARIES STAR SIGN
Something blue! Taylor-Joy’s appreciation for her birth sign also features, via a small blue Aries symbol.
Clearly a fan of the zodiac, the actress’ wedding dress featured a bright blue Aries sign on the bodice. Born on April 16, Taylor-Joy is simply Aries, but she obviously wants to be the “fire” sign she holds dear.
TRADITIONAL WHITE VEIL
The actress waved as she turned and left the Venetian balcony, giving fans a glimpse of her traditional floor-length white veil.
The Netflix actress, who also starred in dramas Peaky Blinders and Last Night In Soho, is the latest bride to tear up the “must wear white” rule book on her wedding day.
However, Taylor-Joy offered a subtle nod to traditional bridal attire, wearing a white veil pinned to the back of her signature blonde hair.
Wearing her long hair tied back and then flowing, Taylor-Joy’s white veil continued to the floor.
HEAVENLY SCENES
Shimmering gold threads covered much of the nude tulle dress, hinting at an overarching celestial theme
Throughout the dress, celestial-style scenes – perhaps including constellations – are embroidered with gold thread.
There are also carefully designed scenes – one of which appears to include a classic car – sewn onto the dress and a selection of handwritten words and phrases – in blue and black thread – which have special meaning.
