Is this the most romantic couple?
With one of the most luxurious weddings in pop culture history, it’s no secret that Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson stole the show. The Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice star wed the Twilight Saga: Eclipse actress in a fair isle white wedding dress, a white wedding cake, and a church ceremony filled with friends and family. The newlyweds started their celebration in a private party at the Plaza Hotel, before heading to New York City for another bash at the historic Plaza. For the reception, the pair opted for a relaxed, intimate affair, inviting just 100 close friends and family members to attend.
The wedding marks not only a significant moment for the couple, but also a pivotal moment in history. It was the first same-sex marriage to be legalized in the state of New York in August 2018, and it gave rise to a wave of similar ceremonies that swept the nation. Before the end of the year, more than 300 same-sex couples had tied the knot.
While the couple kept most of their wedding details under wraps, the veil they chose to wear for the big day was a true fashion statement.
The Most Luxurious Wedding
Even before the wedding bells rang, the news of Affleck and Pattinson’s engagement spread like wildfire. The two had met on the set of the 2012 film The Way Back, and began dating soon after. After initially keeping their romance a secret, the couple eventually revealed their engagement to the world in an intimate story for Vanity Fair in April 2018. Soon after, it was revealed that the wedding date would fall on August 30, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, a fact that the couple kept under wraps for months to avoid leaks.
The Vanity Fair story also included details about the wedding venue, the Plaza, which had been the setting of some of the most iconic films of all time. Affleck and Pattinson decided to marry at the iconic Plaza Hotel, located in the heart of New York City’s most fashionable district. The pair kept the ceremony and reception incredibly low-key, inviting just 100 guests to the intimate affair. Even the dress code was relaxed – with no specific dress code other than an ‘attire-code blazer-look’, which allowed the guests to wear their favorite fashion-forward outfit.
The wedding took place in a tent, laid out on the pavement in front of the Plaza Hotel. The location was chosen to mark a moment of historical significance, with guests invited to sit on folding chairs and watch as several icons of American literature and culture, ranging from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Henry James, spoke about their vision of ‘the good life’. The speakers included both the bride and groom, as well as their guests.
The couple kept the guest list small because they wanted the day to be “a celebration of love” and wanted to keep the focus on them. They also wanted to keep the celebration as private as possible, given what they see as the unjust treatment of same-sex couples in the United States. The couple opted to keep the ceremony and reception venues a total secret, inviting only their closest family and friends. The venue has been described as a “gorgeous garden party” with food by Wolfgang Puck and an “elegant reception” with food and drink by Marcus Wareing.
Style-wise, it was a fair isle white wedding
The choice of white for the wedding day was no coincidence. As the groom told Vanity Fair, “The color was on the top of our list from the start”. The color combination was chosen because it is one of the most classic and classic-looking white wedding dress options. If there was ever a time to ‘wedding white’, this would be it.
The ivory dress is one of the most popular wedding dresses used by brides worldwide. The dress first appeared in England in the 19th century and caught on rapidly, with women around the country swapping their bridal gown for the ‘wedding dress’ look. By the 20th century, the dress had become so popular that some people would opt for a ‘wedding dress’ even if they were not actually getting married in a church or synagogue. The dress is so associated with weddings that it has become a generic term among fashion insiders. According to historical accounts, the original ivory wedding dress was inspired by the marriage of Princess Victoria of England to Prince Albert in 1862. The dress was made of ivory satin with a high neckline, lace jabots, and a fitted bodice with mock crinoline.
While most couples opted for a traditional white wedding, others went for something a little different. As guest Jennifer Lopez observed, “There’s no formula, really. Different colors, unique fabrics, daring designs – whatever you want, really.” The guest list for the wedding was a celebration of individuality and creativity, with many attendees wearing outfits that reflected their personalities.
Romantic, Yes. But Also Significantly Political
While many fans of the couple saw their wedding as a fairy tale romance, there was also a significant undertone of political commentary. The guest list for Affleck and Pattinson’s wedding undoubtedly reflected their support base. Among the attendees were many prominent figures from the worlds of entertainment and fashion, including:
- Katie Holmes
- Selma Blair
- Zendaya
- Jade Jureck
- Shailene Woodley
- Carrie Brownstein
- Diane Lane
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Dame Judi Dench
- Tina Fey
- Tracy Jenney
- Kerry Washington
- Rosie Perez
- Gigi Wroth
The marriage of Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson arrives at a time when same-sex couples are at the forefront of the struggle for LGBT rights. Just last week, the Academy Award-winning actor and comedian came out as gay, becoming one of the first major celebrities to do so.
In 2018 alone, more than 300 same-sex couples had legal weddings in the U.S. In the face of such progress, it’s little wonder that the stars of film and TV’s most popular series would want to mark this momentous occasion with a fair isle white wedding.