Venus Williams is in love (no, not that kind). In her first joint print interview with husband Andrea Preti, the newlyweds open up about their multiple weddings, the moments that mattered most and what greatness means in marriage.
Updated Apr 28, 2026Relive the Most Iconic Weddings Over the Last 30 Years
These celebrations live rent-free in our minds.
Photos: Rossini Photography, Erica Melissa Photography, Cedar + Pine, All others: Getty Images; Design: Tiana Crispino
In 1996, The Knot launched as a wedding chatboard on AOL. In the three decades since, technology and culture have revolutionized the planning experience—and there's no denying that a few high-profile celebrity weddings have left a poignant mark on the industry as well. From grand spectacles to intimate affairs, look back on the most memorable nuptials over the last 30 years that have reshaped how we celebrate marriage.
1996: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette
Photo: Tyler Mallory/Liaison | Getty Images
Not only did the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy host one of the most iconic weddings of all time, they also set the standard for minimonies. The political scion and fashion publicist married on September 21, 1996, on Cumberland Island, a remote hideaway off the coast of Georgia. Bessette donned an ivory Narciso Rodriguez slip dress that would go on to define late-'90s bridal style. Forty guests were invited to attend the discreet candlelit ceremony at the First African Baptist Church.
2004: Prince Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz
Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/POOL/AFP | Getty Images
Over 1,200 people attended the 2004 royal wedding of King (then Prince) Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. At the time, he was an heir and she was a journalist; Felipe had asked a mutual friend to introduce them after he saw Letizia reporting on television. The bride wore a reported $10 million dress with a nearly 15-foot train, which included threads of real gold. It was one of the most expensive royal wedding dresses of all time. The ceremony was held in the Almudena Cathedral at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
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2008: Beyoncé and Jay-Z
In April 2008, music moguls Beyoncé and Jay-Z popularized the no-phones wedding. The A-listers invited 40 guests to the secret nuptials at their Tribeca penthouse in New York City, importing 70,000 white orchids from Thailand to transform their living room. The bride's mother, Tina Lawson, designed her strapless ball gown.
2008: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
After she publicly came out in 1997, Ellen DeGeneres' eponymous prime-time sitcom made history as the first mainstream show to have a lesbian lead character. The announcement sparked intense interest in her personal life. Following the initial overturn of California's same-sex marriage ban, she wed actor Portia de Rossi at their home. The famous couple wore custom Zac Posen ensembles: DeGeneres opted for a white pantsuit, while de Rossi donned a white and pink ombré dress.
2011: Prince William and Kate Middleton
Photo: Peter Macdiarmid | Getty Images
An estimated two billion viewers worldwide reportedly tuned in to watch British heir Prince William marry his college sweetheart, Princess Catherine, at Westminster Abbey, making this one of the most memorable celebrity weddings ever. The royal spectacle included a guest list of nearly 2,000 people. The bride wore a long-sleeve lace dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, which has become one of the most emulated styles of the modern bridal era.
2014: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
Actor Gabrielle Union and NBA star Dwyane Wade exchanged vows at a mansion in Miami. The bride walked down the aisle while John Legend sang his hit "You and I." Other celebrity wedding guests included NBA legend LeBron James and Kevin Hart. Rapper Ludacris performed and drummer/producer Questlove DJed during the event.
2014: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
Photo: David Livingston | Getty Images
Despite their seven-year romance, actors Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka waited until same-sex marriage was legally recognized in New York in 2011 to announce their engagement. Three years later they exchanged vows at a castle in Perugia, Italy, and the destination wedding featured a few meaningful appearances: Harris' How I Met Your Mother director Pam Fryman officiated, and Elton John performed during the reception. The couple's twins, Harper and Gideon, were also present.
2014: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin
Photo: PIERRE TEYSSOT/AFP | Getty Images
Paparazzi and fans alike flocked to Venice, Italy, to catch a glimpse of the glamorous celebrity wedding of actor George Clooney and human-rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin. The bride wore a lace Oscar de la Renta gown for the ceremony, while the groom donned an Armani tux. Their raucous reception reportedly lasted until 5 a.m. the following morning.
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2017: Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian
With a lavish theme inspired by Beauty and the Beast, tennis icon Serena Williams married Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans. Guests including Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé were invited to dress in French ball-inspired attire. The bride wore a custom Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen ball gown with a sparkly cape for the ceremony before changing into two Versace reception looks, one styled with bejeweled Nike sneakers.
2017: Pippa Middleton and James Matthews
Photo: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
After Pippa Middleton served as maid of honor in the wedding of her sister, Kate, to Prince William, her own May 2017 nuptials to hedge-fund manager James Matthews garnered worldwide attention as well. The wedding took place at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire. Her niece and nephew, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, served as a flower girl and page boy. After the ceremony, the newlyweds celebrated with guests at the Middleton family estate in Bucklebury.
2018: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Photo: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP | Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's wedding was a global sensation, and for good reason: It marked the first time a member of the British royal family married an American actor. After the couple were introduced by mutual friends, the royal's romance with the former Suits star took the world by storm. Their televised Windsor Castle nuptials blended aristocratic traditions with American gospel-choir influences. The private reception included a performance by Elton John and a DJ set by actor Idris Elba. To this day, it remains one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings in history.
2018: Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra
Singer Nick Jonas and actor Priyanka Chopra's wedding was a vibrant celebration of their heritages. Following a series of Indian celebrations, including a puja and a sangeet, they hosted multiple ceremonies over one weekend. It began with a Christian service at Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace, followed by a traditional Hindu ceremony. The newlyweds hosted a lavish reception in New Delhi, and then a second one in Mumbai two weeks later.
2021: Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell
Ralph Lauren designed the hooded lace cape that actor Lily Collins wore to marry director/screenwriter Charlie McDowell at the luxury cabins of Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado. In keeping with the remote venue's 40-guest cap, it was an intimate affair. Both the bride's and groom's famous parents were in attendance: Collins' father, singer Phil Collins; McDowell's mother, actor Mary Steenburgen; and his stepfather, actor Ted Danson.
2024: Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant
Photo: Raju Shinde/Hindustan Times | Getty Images
In one of the most expensive weddings ever, billionaire heir Anant Ambani and businesswoman Radhika Merchant dominated headlines with their opulent celebrations, which spanned seven months. The festivities began with a lavish engagement celebration in January, followed by a weekend party starring Rihanna in March, a luxury Mediterranean cruise in May, a star-studded sangeet in July, and a three-day wedding in India later the same month. The events were attended by political figures, business tycoons, royal dignitaries and celebrities.
2024: Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma
Actor Rebel Wilson and fashion designer Ramona Agruma wore coordinating "duet" dresses by Pronovias to marry in Sardinia, Italy, in September 2024. Guests who attended this celebrity wedding dined on classic regional fare before a 20-person band kept the party going until the early hours of the morning.
2025: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco
After musician Benny Blanco proposed to actor/singer Selena Gomez over a Taco Bell picnic with a bathtub full of queso, their nuptials became the subject of public fascination. The couple's vendors even constructed a tent over their Santa Barbara, California, wedding venue to prevent paparazzi from leaking photos. Gomez wore a sequence of three custom Ralph Lauren gowns, and the guest list included a number of stars, including her longtime bestie, Taylor Swift, and her Wizards of Waverly Place castmates.
A version of this article first appeared in The Knot Magazine 30th Anniversary Issue in Spring 2026.
