Yahoo奇摩新聞 James Middleton's bride wears Carole's 1980s dress to tie the knot
James Middleton's bride found the sweetest way to pay tribute to her new family on the couple's big day by wearing her mother-in-law, Carole Middleton's wedding dress.
The Duchess of Cambridge's younger brother tied the knot with Alizée Thevenet on Saturday September 11, and the 32-year-old bride honoured her groom's family by wearing the same off-the-shoulder gown that his mother had donned on her own wedding day in 1980.
In the ultimate 'something borrowed', the financial analyst looked beautiful in the white floor-length gown, which featured a Bardot neckline and embroidered lace detailing.
The bride revealed that she'd decided to wear her mother-in-law's vintage gown after falling "in love with it" when she tried it on during lockdown.
Read more: Kate Middleton's brother James is postponing his wedding due to coronavirus
"My something borrowed was in fact my dress from my mother in law Carole who last wore it 41 years ago on her wedding day in June, 1980," Thevenet told HELLO!.
"While talking about dresses with Carole and sharing ideas during lockdown for inspiration, I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it," she continued.
"It fitted me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted. It always troubled me that wedding dresses are only worn once so it was amazing to give such a beautiful dress a second lease of life."
The couple originally got engaged in September 2019 but had to delay their nuptials twice in the last year due to COVID, before finally announcing they had tied the knot in Bormes-les-Mimosas in Provence earlier this month.
In stunning images from their big day, the bride could be seen wearing the floor length off-the shoulder gown, while Middleton, 34, beamed at the camera in a Ralph Lauren suit and crisp blue shirt, perfect for the wedding's relaxed, sunny location.
Watch: James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet marry in France.
The newlyweds looked relaxed and happy as they posed in snaps taken after their vows, before they joined 50 guests including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis at the Chateau Léoube, an exclusive vineyard in the village.
To compliment her elegant look, the bride wore her hair in a chic half-up do, secured in place with a sheer veil.
Read more: James Middleton gives glimpse of Kate's family home as he spends lockdown with their parents
Middleton confirmed in an Instagram post last week that he and Thevenet had tied the knot in south eastern France earlier this month.
"Mr & Mrs Middleton," he shared. "Yesterday I married the love of my life surrounded by family, friends and of course a few dogs in the beautiful village [of] Bormes-les-Mimosas.
"Words cannot describe how happy I am," he added.
Previously the newlyweds had celebrated one year of being engaged in September 2020 with a trip to Italy.
"It's a year since I asked Alizee to marry me what a year it's been!" Middleton wrote on Instagram. "Two homes, lockdown, two attempts at a wedding, a litter of 🐶, launching of new company, a beard shave and much more but the best part is that I get to share it with you @alizeethevenet and I can't wait to take on whatever the future holds for us."
In March last year, it was revealed that he and his fiancee had decided to postpone their wedding due to the pandemic.
They were due to tie the knot in the spring of 2020, but decided to instead hold it at a later date.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple were “sad” about the turn of events, but felt that it wasn’t “practical” to continue to hold their nuptials in the coming months.
“It's very sad, but it's just not practical to hold it in this crisis,” a friend of the pair told the paper.
“Holding an Anglo-French wedding is impossible in the coming months and is still likely to be difficult in the summer.
“They would prefer to wait until all their guests are able – and happy – to attend.”
The couple aren't the only ones to have repurposed a family wedding dress.
While she didn't re-wear a family heirloom for her own wedding, back in 2019 teenager Grace Jeyes decided to don her mum's bridal gown to wear to prom.
The then 18-year-old from Leicester decided against spending money on a new frock and instead, borrowed her mum’s 21-year-old wedding dress for the big day.
Having stumbled across her mother’s gown from 1998, she instantly “fell in love with it” and was pleased to find that it fit perfectly.
The cream dress featured an embroidered bodice and sheer cap sleeves with dainty buttons down the front.
To bring the look into 2019, Jeyes opted for clashing red platforms with a co-ordinating clutch and lips.
Meanwhile Dawson's Creek star Busy Phillips also found an alternative use for her mother's wedding dress, choosing to slip into the floral frock to go to brunch.
That's one way to get more wear out of a wedding dress!
For the full wedding album and interview, pick up a copy of this week’s issue of HELLO!, on sale from Monday 20th September.
