21 Celebrity Weddings That Shaped How We Celebrate Marriage

Over the last 25 years, weddings have been influenced by a variety of elements, including wedding websites and magazines, a supportive vendor community, and broader societal trends, to mention a few. Celebrity weddings, on the other hand, provide one of the most telling signs of the progression of celebrations. For decades, the celebrity wedding—whether accessible and visible (Meghan Markle and Prince Harry), lovely and understated (Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford), or hyper private (Beyonce and Jay Z)—has affected how couples envision their weddings, drawing inspiration from these star-studded festivities.

1.Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy, Jr.

What They Shaped: The Rustic Wedding

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s 1996 wedding on Cumberland Island, Georgia, set the standard for future rustic weddings. Arguably the year’s royal wedding, the couple chose prudence and secrecy when planning their getaway extravaganza. They concluded the occasion with a candlelit walk down the steps of a little chapel on the island at dusk. The surprising result was an iconic shot by photographer Denis Reggie that captured the soul of the original rustic wedding and set the tone for years to come.