From Princess Beatrice to Margot Robbie, meet the brides who made their family’s love stories part of their own walk down the aisle.
When it comes to weddings, “something borrowed” is often a piece of jewelry, a veil, or maybe even your bestie’s signature lipstick. But for these brides, the ultimate borrowed treasure wasn’t an accessory, it was the dress.
It’s a trend that’s both sustainable and deeply emotional, proving that fashion can be more than style: it can be legacy.
And let’s be real: in a world of endless designer options, there’s something extra powerful about walking down the aisle in a dress already soaked in love stories. Here are the brides who made “borrowed” the most stylish bridal trend of all.
Here are five brides whose wedding day looks were stitched not just with fabric, but with family history.
1. Princess Beatrice: A Royal Gown With History
In July 2020, Princess Beatrice of York surprised the world by stepping out in a vintage gown once worn by her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Originally designed by Norman Hartnell in the 1960s, the dress was updated by the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly and designer Stewart Parvin to give it a modern fit. With its delicate embellishments and timeless silhouette, Beatrice’s choice was both a fashion statement and a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother’s reign and legacy.
2. Nicola Peltz: Her Mother’s Romantic ’80s Dress
When Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham renewed their vows, she chose a gown with the most personal of origins, her mother Claudia Heffner Peltz’s 1985 wedding dress.
The cream off-the-shoulder gown featured floral appliqués, a corset bodice, and ruffled hemline. Paired with a veil, the look was soft, romantic, and proof that true style doesn’t age. Nicola even posted a sweet side-by-side on Instagram, showing her mom wearing the same gown decades earlier. Cue all the feels.
3. Margot Robbie: A Secret Ceremony in Her Mum’s Dress
Margot Robbie kept her 2016 Byron Bay wedding to Tom Ackerley under wraps, but one detail eventually emerged: she wore her mother Sarie Kessler’s own wedding gown. The vintage off-the-shoulder lace dress, updated by Gold Coast designer Casey Tanswell, had just a few alterations to freshen up the lining. The result was a bohemian, romantic gown that felt effortlessly Margot, minimal fuss, maximum sentiment. And the best part? She was walked down the aisle by the very woman who once wore it herself.
4. Ella Pangilinan: A Pitoy Moreno Heirloom
For her wedding to Enrique Lhuillier Miranda, Ella Pangalinan honored Filipino fashion heritage by wearing her mother Maricel Laxa’s wedding gown.
The piece was a creation of National Artist José “Pitoy” Moreno, one of the Philippines’ most iconic designers. With help from family friend and designer Rajo Laurel, Ella reimagined the gown while preserving its history.
More than just fashion, the dress carried decades of artistry and personal memories, bridging generations in a single moment.
5. Francesca Ragazzi: A Vogue Editor’s Sentimental Choice
As Vogue Italia’s Head of Editorial Content, Francesca Ragazzi could have worn any couture gown she desired. Instead, she reached for the Lorenzo Riva dress her mother wore in 1988.
Originally gifted to her mom, model Paola Villa, the gown carried a love story that began before Francesca was even born, literally, as her mother was five months pregnant with her at the time of the wedding. With the help of a seamstress, Francesca updated the dress with floral appliqués and tailored adjustments, blending vintage beauty with modern romance.
Why This Feels So Right
Beyond the nostalgia, this “something borrowed” gown movement feels deeply aligned with what modern brides value: sustainability, individuality, and storytelling. Instead of a dress worn once and tucked away, these gowns are reborn, layered with love and history. And really, what better energy to carry down the aisle than the marriages that shaped you?
Whether it’s a royal gown, a couture treasure, or a local heirloom, these brides prove that wedding fashion can be circular and still jaw-dropping. After all, trends come and go, but family love? That’s forever.
Looking for more bridal inspo, from timeless trends to celebrity wedding style? Wedded Wonderland has you covered with the latest in gowns, glam, and everything in between. Join our complimentary Wedded Concierge service or explore our Wedded Partners Global Listing, and let’s get Wedded!
