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Bold Elegance: A Marilyn Monroe Inspired Shoot with a Show-Stopping Wedding Dress
I mean, who doesn’t love the story of Marilyn Monroe? This cultural icon has left a lasting impact on the world. So, when we saw this stunning Marilyn Monroe wedding shoot, we knew it had to be featured on Bespoke Bride. We caught up with Becca from B. Jones Photography and Sarah from Three Sisters Weddings (who planned, hosted, designed and came up with the concept for the shoot!) to get the inside scoop behind this glamorous shoot…
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
“So, let’s talk about this wild, fabulous, and downright iconic Marilyn Monroe wedding shoot inspired by the one and only Marilyn herself. Picture this: Marilyn transported to 2024, strutting down the aisle in all her modern-day glory, wearing a stunning Marilyn Monroe inspired wedding dress. It’s a vibe, right?
As the wedding planner, designer, and florist extraordinaire, I gotta tell you, this Marilyn Monroe wedding shoot was a dream. We threw out the rulebook and went full throttle with color, texture, and boldness—Marilyn wouldn’t have it any other way! She was all about breaking boundaries and living life to the fullest, flaws and all.
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
From the Pink Flamingo Bar to a life-sized replica of our client’s actual wedding invitation as a Welcome Sign, we went all out with unique and fun ideas. Why play it safe when you can make a statement? And for this Marilyn Monroe wedding shoot, we knew we had to go big.
Let’s talk about those baby’s breath stems—I hand-sprayed over 700 of them to create the dreamiest sunset hues for our ceremony set. For the reception? We dialed up the drama with some dark, sexy colors, complemented by a Marilyn Monroe inspired wedding dress. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the getaway car—a 1969 Road Runner decked out with a leather jacket and a sparkly bustier dress. Talk about stylish edge!
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
This design wasn’t just about pushing boundaries—it was about staying authentic. Our clients owned their big day, showing off their true colors. Forget following the crowd; it’s about being yourself and having a blast.
And can we talk about the venue? A lush greenhouse dripping with tropical plants and hanging ferns, it was like stepping into a botanical wonderland—a perfect match for our edgy, saturated palette in this Marilyn Monroe wedding shoot.
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
B. Jones Photography
Shoutout to our incredible vendor team for making this vision come alive. From B.Jones Photography capturing every magical moment to Makeup by Alissa Albano making our models glow, every detail was pure perfection.
Here’s to embracing the madness, celebrating imperfections, and living life out loud—just like Marilyn would’ve wanted.”
The Vendors:
Planning Florals & Rentals: Three Sisters Weddings
@3sistersweddings
Venue: Christianson’s Nursery
@christiansonsnursery
Wedding Photographer: B. Jones Photography
@bjonesphotos
Video: By Captivate Films
@bycaptivatefilms
Makeup: Albano Makeup
@alissaalbanomakeup
Hair: Hair by Areca
@hairbyareca
Cake: L&L Bakery
@lauralilibakery
Content Creation for the shoot: Genesis Photography
@genesis.photography_
Bridal Attire: Belle Bridal
@belle.bridal
Spray Tan: Golden HR Tans
@goldenhrtans
A Little History about the Real Marilyn Monroe Wedding Dress…
Ah, the Marilyn Monroe wedding dress—an icon in itself, much like the woman who wore it. When you think of Marilyn, your mind probably jumps to that billowing white dress from The Seven Year Itch, but let’s talk about her actual wedding dress, the one she wore when she said “I do” to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio in 1954. It wasn’t a grand Hollywood spectacle like you might expect. Nope. Marilyn chose something surprisingly understated, but as with anything she touched, it made a lasting impression.
Now, here’s where things get interesting—this wasn’t your typical frothy wedding gown. The Marilyn Monroe wedding dress was a chocolate-brown wool suit. Yes, you read that right. Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate blonde bombshell, opted for a modest, brown suit on her wedding day. It sounds like the kind of outfit you’d wear to the office, not to marry a baseball star. But then again, Marilyn was never one to follow the rules.
And honestly, why should she have? In a world of big white dresses, Marilyn decided to take the unconventional route, just like that one friend who brings a salad to a pizza party and somehow makes it look cool. The brown suit was simple but elegant, a reflection of how she wanted to live her private life—unpretentious, away from the public’s gaze. This wasn’t a dress for the cameras, but one for her.
Watch this video to learn a bit more:
When I first saw the images of that Marilyn Monroe wedding dress, I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. Here’s a woman known for her glitzy on-screen persona, and yet, on one of the most personal days of her life, she chose to keep it low-key. There’s something unexpectedly refreshing about that, right? Like Marilyn was saying, “This day is about me and Joe, not the headlines.” Of course, the headlines still came, but you get the sentiment.
Now, the question of whether this outfit choice was genius or just…strange is a fun one to debate. On one hand, there’s a certain charm to the modesty of the Marilyn Monroe wedding dress. It’s like the fashion equivalent of whispering when everyone else is shouting. The suit was tailored, chic, and had a certain vintage elegance that we wouldn’t typically associate with Monroe. It was mature and understated—perhaps reflecting the more serious, private side of her, the side the world didn’t always get to see.
On the other hand, part of me wonders if the suit was a missed opportunity. Marilyn could have rocked anything. A glamorous ball gown, something slinky and white, dripping with old Hollywood vibes. But no, she went for wool. Brown wool. And while it definitely made a statement, I can’t help but think a tiny part of her inner movie star might have wanted to wear something a little more…well, Marilyn.
But maybe that’s the lesson here. Maybe the beauty of the Marilyn Monroe wedding dress lies in the fact that it wasn’t what we expected. Marilyn was forever trying to balance the public persona with her private self, and this choice feels like her putting her foot down and saying, “This is who I am when the cameras aren’t rolling.” There’s something deeply human about that.
In reflecting on Marilyn’s choice, I find myself thinking about my own wardrobe decisions. Sometimes, we’re all tempted to pick the outfit that pleases others—the one that gets the most compliments, the one that looks “right.” But maybe, every now and then, we should all take a cue from Marilyn and wear what feels right for us. Even if it’s a brown wool suit.
