Let’s be honest, pop princess Ellie Gouldingand art dealer Caspar Jopling’s wedding was always going to be a jubilant and grand affair. Ever since the pair, who were reportedly introduced by Princess Eugenie, announced their engagement in The Times in 2018, we were full of excitement for the swanky hen do, who could be on the guest list and who Ellie would choose to design and create her dress.
Surrounded by their close family, friends, royalty and a few celebrities, Ellie and Caspar tied the knot in front of huge crowds in historic York Minster. The grand location normally requires couples to have a 'connection' to York Minster and apply for a special licence. A spokesperson for the cathedral told the BBC that the couple had 'fulfilled' the qualifying criteria.
A beaming Ellie and her seven bridesmaids arrived at the cathedral in a blue Volkswagen camper van with the bridge giving the crowds a full view of her bespokeChloé silk crêpe gown, hand-embroidered with White Rose of York symbols.
The reception was held afterwards at Castle Howard, near Malton, about 15 miles away.
The dress
In a interview with Vogue before her big day, fashion-loving Ellie revealed that she worked closely with Chloé creative director Natacha Ramsay-Levi to create her dream 'Victorian-esque' wedding dress that took 650 hours to make!
'Ellie was very involved in the design of her wedding dress,' Ramsay-Levi told Vogue. 'Together we worked on a collage of references from the Victorian era that she wanted to weave into the design, in dialogue with the historical York cathedral where the ceremony was to take place. Her creative point of view made the process fluid and inspiring, and I feel that the end result really reflects her personal sense of style. I wish Ellie and Caspar a most magical wedding day and my best wishes for their future together.'
Ellie also spoke about the process, even admitting that she was 'way too chill' at the start. 'Chloé is intrinsically romantic and [the house’s creative director] Natacha Ramsay-Levi has a vision that is so modern and relevant that I knew it would fit with the themes of my wedding,' she said. 'I have loved the house and its incredible team for years so it only seemed right for Chloé to play a big part in this special day. Natacha worked alongside me to design something timeless and classic, but with all the Chloé spirit. Some of my inspiration for my Chloé gown ultimately came from historical brides, particularly Jane Seymour, whose dress was decorated with beautiful embroidery.'
Ellie also revealed that there were also a few personalised touches, 'the veil is made of a delicate silk tulle and organza, and embroidered with our initials – E and C. My bridesmaids will also be wearing Chloé – bespoke pale blue dresses in silk cadi, embroidered with a tone-on-tone organza braid.'
Following the ceremony, Ellie changed into a sleek off the shoulder white gown. Josiah Wise - known professionally as serpentwithfeet - shared a candid photo of Ellie's second gown after performing at the reception.
Speaking to British Vogue after the wedding, Ellie said she was 'thrilled and excited' that the fashion house wanted to design a dress for her. 'I was so thrilled and excited when I found out that the iconic and unparalleled Chloé wanted to design a bespoke wedding dress for me,' she told the mag.
She added, 'I have never felt more special than the moment I first tried the dress on in Paris, and it was utterly awe inspiring to see the craftsmanship and attention to detail. I had C and E in the lace on veil, and the Yorkshire rose.'
It also seems that there was a third dress: Ellie shared an Instagram post of the morning after her wedding, in which she dances alone - with some champagne, naturally - in a more relaxed, white ensemble.
The guests
You can't be Ellie Goulding and not have a few A-lists celebs (and actual royalty) at your wedding! Amongst those spotted making their way into York Minster were Sarah, Duchess of York and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Other guests included Katy Perry and her boyfriend Orlando Bloom, James Blunt, Tracey Emin, Sienna Miller, Joe Wicks, and Jimmy Carr.