Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele’s ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ Wedding Album: Get the First Inside Look

How does a fictional billionaire plan a wedding? With massive amounts of professional help, of course. Ahead of the release of the final film installment of the Fifty Shades franchise, The Knot went straight to the crew behind the movie to get key details about Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey's intimate-but-lavish nuptials.

Exclusive details in this article:

• Fifty Shades Darker Proposal Scene and Engagement Ring
• Fifty Shades of Grey Wedding Scene
• Fifty Shades of Grey Wedding Dress
• 'Fifty Shades' Creator E.L. James Reveals the Wedding and Marriage Advice She'd Give to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey

Fifty Shades Darker Proposal Scene and Engagement Ring

The color red was key during Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey's all-important, romantic proposal scene in Fifty Shades Darker. The film's costume designer Shay Cunliffe and makeup department head Rosalina Da Silva tell The Knot that they wanted actress Dakota Johnson to look strong while Jamie Dornan's character got down on one knee. Here are the behind-the-scene details of the Fifty Shades Darker proposal.

Universal Studios

Fifty Shades Darker's Costume Designer and Makeup Artist Tell Us Everything About the Proposal Scene

For the romantic scene, costume designer Cunliffe (who's worked on movies like Alex & Emma, Enough, The Family Stone and We're the Millers) dressed Johnson in a form-fitting, red sheath dress by Narciso Rodriguez featuring spaghetti straps and a bustier.

"I love Narciso Rodriguez's clothes," she says. "I always knew that as [Ana] becomes more sophisticated and as she becomes part of the Grey family, [Narciso] was the kind of designer I wanted to turn to a lot. I think he does the most well-cut, sophisticated, but simple [looks]. And she's such a simple, pure character. I wanted clothes that weren't fussy."

Universal Pictures

Fifty Shades Darker's costume designer and makeup department head tell The Knot exactly what Anastasia Steele was wearing when Christian Grey proposed—find out here. (Credit: Universal Pictures)

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Fifty Shades Darker's costume designer and makeup department head tell The Knot exactly what Anastasia Steele was wearing when Christian Grey proposed—find out here. (Credit: Universal Pictures)

Makeup pro Da Silva, meanwhile, zeroed in the perfect red lip combination for Johnson's evolving character. "That was an important scene there," she notes to The Knot. "We needed her to look strong. Very strong. Because she had that scene with Christian Grey and she had another scene the same day with his ex-lover. So it was a very emotional day altogether."

Da Silva and her team selected two M.A.C. products—M.A.C. Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor in "Feel So Grand" and M.A.C. Lip Liner in "Kiss Me Quick"—to create a sexy-but-softly muted color on Johnson for the proposal scene. "It dries unbelievably," Da Silva notes of the liquid product. "I love M.A.C. We decided we wanted a strong lip, so I called them and said, 'Send me your reds.' It stays on."

Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) in Fifty Shades Darker; Universal Pictures

The trick, however, was maintaining a natural beauty presentation with the bold pop of red lip color. "We didn't want the makeup to set the stage," she says. The team accentuated Johnson's beautiful eyes, by using IT Cosmetics' Superhero mascara with a gel eyeliner called "Black Trap" from M.A.C. "It just stays on. It doesn't move," notes Da Silva. "It's good for all that line for brides. It's absolutely fantastic."

Universal Pictures

Finally, there was that lingering question about the engagement ring that Dornan used to propose to his on-screen love. "It was from props," Cunliffe shares. "We had a great prop department. We worked together a lot."

Fifty Shades Darker's Christian Grey Used a $215 Ring Box to Propose to Anastasia Steele

When Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) pulled out a beautifully-crafted, red box to propose to Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) in the second installment of the Fifty Shades franchise, fans everywhere assumed that the engagement ring—a gorgeous oval-cut diamond set on a pave band—was Cartier.

Universal Pictures

Though the ring brand still remains unknown, The Knot can confirm that the box itself was Smythson. The intricate box—officially named the "Grosvenor"—is comprised of chalk calf leather on the outside.

Photo courtesy of Smythson

Smythson, Grosvenor Ring Box, $215, Smythson.com.

The inside includes a pop-up mechanism comprised of nubuck lining. The bottom of the box, of course, is stamped with the London-based brand's logo.

A rep for Smythson tells The Knot that the red color option is no longer available—sorry, Fifty Shades fanatics!—but the precise design is still available in the dove grey and chalk colors. It can be yours for $215.

For those who have yet to see the moment, watch Grey's elaborate proposal above

Fifty Shades of Grey Wedding Scene

Universal Pictures

Get the exclusive first look at the couple's ceremony, as well as other beautiful elements from the society affair in the video below. Then, check out the ingredients list, which encompasses everything from the maker behind Ana's wedding dress (Monique Lhuillier) to the venue (a private country club), as well as the cake, the decor, and more.

Fifty Shades of Grey Wedding Dress

"Ana's gown was designed by Monique Lhuillier," lead costume designer Shay Cunliffe tells The Knot. "Monique created the wedding gown in her atelier in Los Angeles while we were filming in Vancouver."

The partnership formed from Cunliffe's appreciation of the bridal designer's pieces. "Early on, I loved Monique Lhuillier's clothes," she says. "I spoke to the studio about my dream designer to collaborate on it."

The end result was an off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve, lace, white wedding gown featuring back buttons. Stylists and beauty personnel swept Anastasia's brunette tresses up into a chignon topped by a pretty hairpin.

Universal Pictures

The Groom's Look

The tormented billionaire had a mix of designers contribute to his wedding day outfit. "He wore a Burberry tuxedo with custom made shirt," associated costume designer Karin Nosella says. "[That was paired with an] Armani bow tie and Hugo Boss cuff links."

The Florals

Props master David Dowling went with several bridal favorites to create a soft-yet-strong floral element. The bride's bouquet was specifically comprised of peonies, blush roses and hydrangeas, Dowling says.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The Venue

Production designer Nelson Coates tells us that the ceremony was held in a wedding-appropriate venue. "It was actually a large, vaulted, wood-beamed, private country club," Coates reveals. "And that was transformed for the wedding."

The Wedding Vows

Beloved author E.L. James already provided the crew with a script for this scene. The vows, originally written by the franchise creator, was edited down for the screenplay by Niall Leonard.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The Lighting

Lights, camera, action! The set required 120 custom hanging light features made specifically for the wedding scene. That wasn't the only incredible detail about these lights. Each was fabricated by hand in India.

The Decor

Eagle-eyed viewers will notice a gorgeous abundance of trees sweeping the venue itself. "These 'wisteria' trees were fabricated in Vancouver," says Coates.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The Planning Process

The production designer also reveals that the massive endeavor required much time and effort—even before filming even started. "The bulk of the wedding scenery and decor was created over the course of three weeks," he says. "And [it was] installed within the location in two days."

When it came down to the actual filming itself? "That occurred over the course of one filming day," Coates says.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Fifty Shades Freed, starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, hits theaters on February 9, just ahead of Valentine's Day. Take a tour inside Christian and Ana's apartment here.

'Fifty Shades' Creator E.L. James Reveals the Wedding and Marriage Advice She'd Give to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey

Trust in Erika. Fifty Shades of Grey creator and mastermind E.L. James went into very little detail about Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele's wedding in her books, but she envisioned something entirely different for the intimate moment in the final film installment of the franchise.

"I think the most important aspect were the vows," the author tells The Knot in an exclusive interview. "I didn't cover the wedding within the book, and I did get a bit of a hard time about that. It was something I didn't think it was necessary, but it was important for the movie that we saw perspective for how beautiful it could be."

The resulting scene was filmed in a private country club, according to the film's production designer Nelson Coates. "It was actually a large, vaulted, wood-beamed, private country club," he previously told The Knot. "And that was transformed for the wedding." The entire wedding was dreamed up in three weeks by set and production crew, while the filming itself took far less time.

For the occasion, the bride wore a custom, lace, sleeved gown by Monique Lhuillier, commissioned directly by costume designer Shay Cunliffe, while the groom looked handsome in Burberry. While the overall imagery and footage was appealing to the eye, James herself calls out a rather intense scene in the film as her personal favorite.

"It's when Anastasia [Dakota Johnson] finally gives Christian Grey [Jamie Dornan] the dressing down that he deserves," she muses. "Both the actors knock it out of the park and it's, by far, my favorite scene." For her advice for the newlywed couple (and others out there), read The Knot's complete interview with the scribe below.

@erikaljames / Instagram

A post shared by E L James (@erikaljames) on Feb 8, 2018 at 1:08am PST

Let's talk about Ana and Christian's wedding. What was the most important aspect of the ceremony to you, the creator, and why?

I think the most important aspect was the vows… I didn't cover the wedding within the book and I did get a bit of a hard time about that. It was something I didn't think it was necessary. But it was important for the movie that we saw perspective for how beautiful it could be.

For me, it was the vows and also the fact that christian was giving over himself and his wealth and his goods, and his love, to Ana. It was important to hear Ana's vows to love him unconditionally. That's what these books have been about: Unconditional love—when you have it as a child and it leaves you. So those were the most important things and we shot a movie with them.

In terms of marriage, what is your main marriage advice for Ana and Christian? What about other newlyweds?

Listen to each other, and really listen to each other. As you do. It's important to be tolerant as well. One of the things I love about Ana is her compassion for this man. And I think that's important. To bring those elements of tolerance into marriage is very important.

Communication is the primary thing. Just listen, be kind to each other, and just listen.

What is your favorite moment in a wedding and why?

That's a tricky question. I love people exchanging their vows and saying it out loud, and flipping rings on fingers.

Also when the officiant says "you may now kiss the bride," there's this almost collective sigh of relief. You can feel the joy from everybody in the church or wherever you're getting married. When the ceremony is finally over, that feeling and that joy in the room is just like nothing else.

Shutterstock

For our couples currently planning their weddings, how would you encourage them to #EnjoyTheJourney while wedding planning?

I think it's important to set at the beginning to have the same wedding in mind. To agree what it's going to be. Everything will flow from that. If you want somebody who wants a huge wedding, and you know someone who has something small in mind that's stressful because you have different expectations.

What makes a good wedding guest—and why?

Someone who doesn't get drunk and doesn't throw up… [laughs]. A good wedding guest is happy for the couple. And through that, extends that happiness to everybody within the wedding. That's the most important thing to bring—your happy. It's such an important day. That makes the perfect wedding gift.

What about your wedding—what was your favorite moment and why?

I've been married for 30 years… I remember most visibly that I had a train on my wedding dress and when I'm anxious, I get very grumpy. My father kept treading on my train, and I shouted… 'Get off my f—king dress!' And you could hear that echoing though the church. And I remember that very vividly now because he's no longer with us, but he was just trying to keep the calm. It doesn't speak well of me, but he handles it really really well. [Laughs.]

I actually was laughing about it on the day. I have to say, as soon as we turned the corner, that mood just lifted. I was like, 'Yay! We're doing this!' Maybe I just needed to swear at my dad. It was like a cloud lifting.

What makes a good honeymoon? How can they experience that fully?

It depends on expectations, budget. Again, if you've got an agreement, I think while you're on honeymoon, it's to just concentrate on each other and again, it comes down to the listening thing. The start of your married life should be wonderful. Even if it isn't, tell the grandkids in years and years to come, find the humor in situations. I deal with a lot of things through humor. And it makes a great story for later on.

I'm quite far removed from getting married, but it was such a fabulous day. I appreciated the photography and all of that. Make sure to have time to see everybody and talk to everybody.