In 2015, model, designer, and fashion icon Nicky Hilton married investor and British banking heir James Rothschild, bringing together two powerhouse names in a match made in heaven. The London wedding ceremony was nothing less but breathtaking, as was the bride and her stunning wedding dress.
Here we’ll explain how everything went down and get into more details about their wedding and Nicky’s beautiful wedding dress.
Who Are Nicky and James?
Paris Hilton’s sister, Nicky, entered the fashion industry in 2004 when she launched her handbag and clothing collection. A year later, she founded another collection, this time in jewelry. As the years went by, Nicky became more successful in this industry and, in 2019, launched a footwear collection. Apart from her other ventures, she also had a modeling career in the mid-2000s.
Her husband, James, belongs to one of the world’s wealthiest and most successful banking families. James’ estimated worth is around $1.4 billion, while his family is believed to have an estimated net worth of $400 billion. Some even assess this worth to be around $1 trillion.
James created his immense success and wealth by working at a family business, “Rothschilds Assets Management and Banking.” Nowadays, this family business is one of the top in Europe.
The couple has three children together, two girls born in 2016 and 2017 and a boy that came into the world in 2022.
The Couple’s Relationship
Nicky and James met in 2011 at Petra Ecclestone’s wedding to James Stunt in Rome. The couple had been seen together since then, expressing love for each other all over social media. The banking heir popped the question three years later with a gorgeous diamond ring. The proposal happened on a romantic adventure on Lake Como in Italy. James picked their anniversary as the perfect date to propose to the love of his life.
James proved to be an old-school groom as he went on a solo trip to Beverly Hills and asked Nicky’s parents for their blessing. Everyone could see congratulatory messages on social media. Her sister Paris commented how happy she was for the two lovebirds and how Nicky would be the most beautiful bride ever.
The Wedding of Royalty
The bride and groom celebrated the engagement and prepared for the wedding with a bachelor and bachelorette party. The happy couple also went on a trip around Europe as a pre-honeymoon. The wedding happened in London, and Nicky shared that planning the whole wedding from America was challenging.
As the event approached, Paris Hilton expressed her feelings on Instagram again. She shared: “So happy that my sister found the man of her dreams.” Paris added that Nicky and James are like a princess and a prince.
The couple exchanged vows at Kensington Palace Orangery, the residence of Dutchess Kate Middleton and Prince William. The wedding at this place was estimated to cost around £20,000 or $26,000. The guest list was nothing less than impressive, including notable names like Kate Beckinsale, Chelsea Clinton, Naomi Cambel, Lionel Richie, and Vera Wang.
The reception, ceremony, dinner, and wedding party were all held in the Orangery residency that day. The dinner menu was created to showcase both families’ heritage. It started with English dishes and finished with specialties from the U.S., like mini pizzas, mac and cheese, and milkshakes.
Soon after the big event, Nicky shared that getting married feels more official, “When you wake up, and you look down, and you have a wedding band, and you’re married.”
How Much Is the Wedding Dress Worth?
Considering Nicky’s dress is custom-made and handcrafted, featuring embroidered crystals, the price range can be tough to estimate. However, we asked for an assessment from Wedding Scoop Experts, who said Nicky’s dress is worth around $77,000.
Who Designed the Wedding Dress?
This beautiful dress was designed by two phenomenal artists, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
What’s the Inspiration Behind Nicky’s Wedding Dress?
Grace Kelly inspired Nicky’s classic and traditional look. Like her sister Paris, Nicky fell in love with the grace and beauty of this retro style. Dutchess Kate Middleton also favors long-sleeved ballroom gowns decorated with embroidery, as seen in her royal wedding to Prince William.
For those unfamiliar with the style, legendary 1950s American movie star Grace Kelly wore a timeless and elegant dress to her wedding to Prince Ranier III of Monaco, inspiring many copycat gowns. The dress, which took six weeks to create, featured a high neckline, a full silk taffeta skirt, and thousands of embroidered pearls sewn by hand.
Let’s Hear More About Nicky’s Wedding Dress
Even though the wedding and the ceremony were extravagant, the thing that caught everyone’s attention was Nicky’s stunning wedding dress. The long-sleeved dress looked perfect on Nicky. It was a custom-made Valentino gown with a high neck. Furthermore, the bodice transformed into a classic evening gown with a 10-foot train line. The chic dress showcased three shades of ivory and silver and was decorated with hand-embroidered crystals for an extra sparkling look.
A cathedral-length veil completed the look, which is considered the most dramatic length. This choice is popular with brides, making them look slimmer and taller, gaining an elongating look. Moreover, the cathedral length is supposed to be longer than the train at 108 to 120 inches long.
“Valentino created the most magnificent dress that I’ve ever worn and ever will wear,” said Nicky. She added that she wanted to have a classic and traditional wedding dress with white lace.
Nicky’s haute couture dress was a perfect example of high fashion or high dressmaking, frequently seen in fashion capitals such as Paris or Milano. These dresses are usually crafted entirely by hand. For this reason, each haute couture piece can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Nicky’s Stunning Wedding Shoes
Besides the dress, Nicky’s look was complemented by stunning pumps designed by Christian Louboutin. Her shoes had a special engravement on her heels that read “Mrs. Rothschild.”
Dress Like Nicky Hilton on Your Wedding Day
- Lace Appliques Chiffon Women Dress – This design features long sleeves and embroidery. This wedding dress is made of soft flowy chiffon and has applique on top. Unlike Nicky’s dress, it features a V-neck.
- Long-Sleeve Lace Boho Bridal Gown – This is a handmade wedding dress with a V neckline and lace appliques. It’s a versatile style that is suitable for summer and beach weddings.
- High Neck Bridal Wedding Dress – This dress resembles Nicky’s, with long sleeves, a high neck, and a long lace skirt.
- Long Sleeve A-Line Wedding Dress – This stylish wedding dress has long sleeves, flower embroidery, and a high mock neckline.
Court Train Lace Tulle Wedding Dress – This dress features long sleeves, a back zipper, and a V-neck. The silhouette is somewhere between a princess and a ball gown.
Consult With an Expert Wedding Shopper
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