Oscar Night Was Awash With Wedding Dress Inspiration

There may be an unspoken rule around not wearing white to a wedding, but when it comes to the Oscars, anything goes. If 2024 was defined by brat green and 2023 by Barbie pink, 2025—at the Academy Awards at least—has taken a more refined turn. While some stars embraced their gothic streak in black lace—opting for a subtler take on the naked dress—others wore looks that wouldn’t look out of place in the pages of a bridal magazine. At the Vanity Fair Oscar party, the bridal vibe was impossible to miss.

This year’s silhouettes also skewed princess-y—whether influenced by Wicked or a desperate need for fairytale-esque escapism. Raye’s sleek Jacquemus look was an understated take, while Kaia Gerber went for an archival Valentino gown—complete with cape—that was anything but low-key. Letting texture do the talking, Ruth Negga’s Michael Kors gown shimmered with intricate detailing, while Julia Garner brought whimsy to the carpet in a feathered custom Gucci creation.

Keke Palmer, never one to shy away from a bold fashion statement, wore the iconic Versace fall 1998 dress that Christina Aguilera previously wore at the 2003 EMAs—a reminder that some looks deserve a second go in the spotlight. And then there was Kim Kardashian, who made a characteristically extra entrance in a custom Balenciaga.

From ethereal minimalism to full on fairytale glamour, the evening’s bridal-worthy looks served as a fitting finale to one of the most eventful Oscars campaigns in recent memory.