Category — bridal gowns

It’s Hollywood’s biggest night, and most definitely one of fashion’s biggest nights.

This past Sunday at the 82^nd Academy Awards viewers saw an array of gorgeous dresses on the red carpet. We saw red carpet mainstays like Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta, Versace, Dior and Chanel, and we saw some perhaps unexpected designers represented, like Dries Van Noten and former Project Runway contestant Chris March.

The accessories were fabulous, too. Bracelets were especially popular, with Julianne Moore sparkling in a luscious emerald ring and diamond bracelets by Bulgari. Sarah Jessica Parker got in on the bracelet action with stacks of diamond bracelets by Fred Leighton, and Demi Moore wore Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry. We saw Chopard diamonds, Salvatore Ferragamo clutches, and Sergio Rossi and Jimmy Choo heels.

(source: life.com, celebrity-paradise, justjared)

And there was some color! Maggie Gyllenhaal wore a floral satin column gown by Dries Von Noten, a last-minute, custom-made choice. Zoe Saldana modeled a bold, either you love-it-or-hate-it Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci ombre couture gown. And Rachel McAdams sported a pastel-print couture gown by Elie Saab Couture.

(From left to right, Zoe Saldana in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten, and Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Couture, source: instyle.com)

But colorful gowns aside, there was a surprising array of wedding-worthy dresses. We saw pink, white, gray and gold in the form of iridescent organza, silk draping, tulle and beading. We saw a lot of romance, a dose of sexiness, and plenty of elegance. Who knew that practical inspiration could be drawn from the red carpet, too? Here were some of our favorites:

(Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive, Sandra Bullock in Marchesa, Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta)

(Julianne Moore in Calvin Klein Collection, Amanda Seyfried in Giorgio Armani Prive, Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham)

(Meryl Streep in Chris March)

And if you’re looking to buck the traditional bridal gown trend, there were some non-traditional wedding dresses seen as well – and they were lovely.

(Elizabeth Banks in Versace, Demi Moore in Atelier Versace)

(Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka, Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent, Anna Kendrick in Elie Saab Couture)

(source: all photos from instyle.com)