Taylor Swift's wedding dress: Long Island bridal shop predictions
Owner-designer Kimberly Towers, of Runway Couture in Bellmore, sketched this prediction of Taylor Swift's wedding dress. Credit: Kimberly Towers
There’s a palpable wedding frenzy in the country right now (maybe the world?) swirling around the details of the upcoming nuptials of pop superstar Taylor Swift, 36, and her fiance, Travis Kelce, 36, the NFL's record-setting Kansas City tight end. They are reportedly tying the knot at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, where the festivities are rumored to run from July 2 to 4. While everyone wants to know the particulars, speculation about what this bride will wear when she walks down the aisle is at a fevered pitch.
Some fans believe there are clues based on her vintage-inspired, 18th century, old-mine, brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring estimated to be a massive 8 to 10 carats and costing more than $550,000. Independent jeweler David Charles Frank, of Sea Cliff, told Newsday when the couple got engaged last August that the choice showed, "Taylor Swift has very special niche taste and an appreciation for old things."
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will wed in Manhattan this weekend. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Does that translate to a wedding dress? Maybe, but it’s just as likely that Swift might go for a revered designer, such as Ralph Lauren (she wore a black-and-white frock from the American label in her engagement photo).
That said, Long Island bridal boutiques and designers have other ideas. Have a look:
The prediction: Pretty, fun and personal for $15,000 to $25,000
The bridal shop: Runway Couture in Bellmore
Owner-designer Kimberly Towers, of Runway Couture in Bellmore, says, "I always like to do something personal for my brides." If Taylor Swift were one, Towers would create a voluminous overskirt emblazoned with a romantic lyric from one of the pop star's songs to sit atop a slim gown that featured 87 flowers (Kelce's Kansas City number) and 13 roses to celebrate Swift's lucky number. Credit: Kimberly Towers
"I always like to do something personal for my brides," says Kimberly Towers, owner-designer at the Runway Couture boutique, known for its luxurious formal wear. To that end, Towers, a Swift fan, envisioned the utterly romantic lyric, "One single thread of gold tied me to you," from the pop artist’s song "invisible string" embroidered in gold cord on the back of a silk gazar, off-white, removable overskirt. Hidden underneath, a fitted gown with 87 flowers down the back (Kelce’s number) — 13 of which would be golden roses. "Taylor’s lucky number," says Towers, who adds, "I designed looks with Taylor and Travis’ deep connection in mind ... keeping it meaningful yet with a touch of whimsy."
Owner-designer Kimberly Towers, of Runway Couture in Bellmore, created this reception dress sketch inspiration for Taylor Swift for that all-important after-party. Credit: Kimberly Towers
Towers didn’t stop at the wedding dress. For the after-party, she imagined Swift in an NFL jersey-inspired halter-neck minidress complete with red stripe detailing. Dripping with crystals, the look would feature Kelce’s number on the back along with the words "Mrs. Kelce." The looks don’t come cheap, but when you’re Taylor Swift who cares? They’d run anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 depending on the embellishments.
The prediction: The convertible 'wow' dress for $11,950
The bridal shop: The Wedding Salon of Manhasset
This show-stopper is on display in the front window of the Wedding Salon of Manhasset, created by Milan-based design house Valentini Spose. Credit: Valentini Spose
Owner Nancy Aucone didn’t have to think twice when asked what this bride should wear. In fact, the very dress by Milan-based design house Valentini Spose twinkles in the window of the retailer’s swanky boutique. The gossamer, tiered confection is spattered with sparkle and boasts a Swift go-to — a corseted top. "It’s really a one-of-a-kind wow dress. I couldn’t give you a better choice," Aucone says. "Let’s keep her in the fairy tale vision she’s already established. The dress is a very light ivory. We can’t put her in white-white because she’s too pale." Added bonus: "The skirt comes off and there’s a short, swing party dress for dancing and the way she dresses in real life." Good news for Swift, she can likely afford the frothy gown. It retails for $11,950.
If Swift wanted to take a somewhat more mainstream approach, Aucone would recommend a Vera Wang number. "It’s a modern, high fashion designer dress and an easy choice."
The prediction: The vintage romantic for $4,865
The bridal shop: North Fork Bridal Shoppe in Baiting Hollow
At the North Fork Bridal Shoppe in Wading River, owner Lindsay Finter suggests this satin gown by the brand Provonias for Taylor Swift's upcoming nuptials. Credit: North Fork Bridal Shoppe
"It definitely won’t be just one dress," says owner Lindsay Finter, suggesting that Swift will have many "costume" changes during the extravaganza. But if she had to select a singular sensation, it would be the Devonne gown by the Spanish label Pronovias, which retails for $4,865.
The lush satin ballgown features a sculpted corset bodice and a dramatic, voluminous skirt with draped details. "We love this gown because the fabric and the pickups," a design where fabric is gathered and pinned at specific points, "give it a vintage look, yet it is still soft and romantic, which feels very much like Taylor’s style," Finter says. Taylor "tends to wear a lot of cat-eye necklines and basque waist looks," when part of a fitted bodice dips down below the natural waistline, "so having both of those elements definitely makes sense. It’s very drapey and ‘Wuthering Heights’ at the bottom."
Finter believes Swift’s dress will spawn trends. "No matter what she ends up wearing, we know we will be seeing the dress in brides' inspiration photos in the near future."
