Choosing a wedding dress is not as simple as an easy yes or no. It's a task laden with deliberations, from the colour choice to the fabric, length and accessories.
However, the considerations are even more vast when you are preparing for a royal wedding, with traditions and etiquettes to keep in mind.
With the world's eyes waiting to watch you walk down the aisle, everything from the designer you choose to the flowers you carry will be critiqued.
However, there have been many notable brides who have managed to strike the perfect balance between couture and convention.
Whether monarchs, countesses or women marrying into royal families, here we take a look back through the archives to collate 42 of the greatest gowns worn at royal weddings past.
Whether Princess Beatrice's recent nuptials, to which she wore a vintage dress borrowed from her grandmother, or Queen Elizabeth II's own 1947 wedding, each gown deserves a place in fashion's hall of fame.
From bespoke pieces by the likes of Christian Dior, Valentino and Balenciaga, to a scattering of designs by Lebanon's Elie Saab, scroll through the gallery above to see our selections.
