Olivia Culpo believes that marriage is a sacred bond, marking the start of a lifelong journey together. “It’s a covenant. It’s the beginning of the rest of your life—and it’s the union and bond of two people forever,” she says. This deep commitment influenced the design of her wedding dress with Dolce & Gabbana. “I wanted something that felt as serious as that commitment,” she explains.
Over several months, Culpo and the Italian fashion house worked closely to bring her vision to life. On Saturday, June 29, Culpo walked down the aisle in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, wearing a long-sleeve crepe ball gown with a voluminous skirt and button-lined back. “I didn’t want it to exude sex in any way, shape, or form,” she says. She paired the gown with a 16-foot lace veil. “I wanted it to feel effortless and as if it’s complimenting me, not overpowering me. There’s so much beauty and simplicity.” Reflecting this theme, she wore minimal makeup, choosing a natural look without mascara or eyebrow gel. “When I think about Christian and what he loves and the moments that he thinks that I’m most beautiful, it’s absolutely in something like this: timeless, covered, and elegant,” she adds.
@oliviadangerculpo Tied the knot @Vogue ♬ original sound – oliviaculpo
Culpo and Christian McCaffrey, her groom, always envisioned a church wedding. “That was our number one priority,” she says. This vision led to a more formal dress with long sleeves, a crew neck, and a dropped waist for an elongated torso. The uniqueness of this design idea excited her. “When I searched for inspiration photos, I couldn’t find anything like it. That’s what made me even more excited about this vision,” she notes.
The Dolce & Gabbana atelier presented her with a sketch that matched her ideas perfectly. “It was exactly the same as the original sketch,” she recalls of the gown she wore. “This is the first, last, and only wedding dress I tried on.”
