First Lady Wedding Dresses That Left Everyone Scratching Their Heads

The wives of American presidents are always in the spotlight. Their choice of clothing is a big point of conversation and some first lady looks have even sparked fashion movements. This is especially true when it comes to wedding dresses — perhaps the most memorable outfit a woman will wear in her life. Lots of women look to first ladies' wedding attire for inspiration so they can replicate the romantic yet sophisticated feeling for their own ceremony. But many may be surprised to learn that not every president's wife has embraced bridal traditions on their big day.

Interestingly, there are a number of first ladies that selected unconventional choices for their bridal gowns. Some played with various colors and headwear, like Nancy Reagan, who wore a gray suit with white lapels and small florals on both sides of her head. Others didn't even wear a formal gown and went with a casual dress: Laura Bush even got her off-white dress off the rack! Take a look at some of the first ladies who wore less-than-presidential picks on their wedding day. 

Out of all of the worst-dressed celebs at Melania and Donald Trump's 2005 wedding, the bride herself may have topped the list with her overly extravagant outfit. Melania Trump went overboard with a 60-pound wedding dress that was proof of maximalism done wrong. The white satin mermaid style gown had way too much fabric and was paired with an equally huge 16-foot veil that swallowed the bride whole. It was nearly impossible to see Melania's face behind so much material.

The weighty dress made the cover of Vogue and cost $100,000. The gown was made from 300 feet of material, which explains its overwhelming presence. The dress was embroidered with 1,500 crystal rhinestones and pearls down the bodice and long train, and took over 550 hours to make. The strapless necklace and corseted silhouette brought attention to the massive diamond neckline that Melania wore.

When Bill Clinton married Hillary Rodham in 1975, the bride didn't wear a trending princess dress. She picked a less extravagant outfit — don't worry, it wasn't a pantsuit. Hillary wore a Victorian lace dress that hugged her small figure. The gown's long bell sleeves felt reminiscent of the 1960s with their romantic vibe. The neckline was finished with lace detail but also felt casual with loose white strings, much like a modern-day hoodie.

The prairie-chic style of the gown was fitting for the venue: The couple married at Bill's brick cottage in Arkansas. And Hillary was so relaxed about her choice of dress that she didn't even have one on the morning before the wedding! During a 2022 appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show," Hillary admitted that she bought her wedding dress less than 24 hours before walking down the aisle. She went to a local Dillard's store and bought the first dress she tried on, which only cost $53.

Betty Ford was one of a kind, so it's no surprise that the memorable first lady dressed in her own individual style on her wedding day. When she married Gerald Ford, Betty wore a silk gown that was sapphire blue in color. Her atypical color choice could have come about because it was her second wedding and white is often reserved for first-time brides to symbolize purity. (Born Elizabeth Bloomer, she was previously married to William G. Warren from 1942 to 1947.) The couple married after knowing each other for less than a year, but waited to tie the knot until after Gerald's election for Congress.

Betty's dress style comprised of a V-neck and lapel collar. She even included a decorative hat that was covered with a floral doily. The white lace on her headwear was a classic touch to an otherwise untraditional bridal outfit. The lace on Betty's hat was from a parasol that belonged to Gerald's grandmother. The lace covered the top of the hat and brim, and on the side continued to flow down to Betty's shoulder. Her long sleeves were cuffed at the bottom and were appropriate as the couple was married on October 15, 1948, when the fall chill was likely entering the air. 

Jimmy Carter first met his wife Rosalynn when they were young kids. Their parents were friends and neighbors — Jimmy's mother even helped with Rosalynn's delivery. The two fell in love and married on July 7, 1946, when Jimmy was 21 and Rosalynn was about to turn 19. Their ages surely influenced the youthful style choices that Rosalynn selected for her bridal outfit. On their wedding day, teenage Rosalynn wore a dress with a mid-length skirt that matched the groom's white naval uniform. 

To add some structure and a pop of color, Rosalynn wore a dark vest over her white wedding dress. (While the vest appears to be black, it is likely that the color was actually a very dark navy blue to match the rank insignia displayed on the shoulders of Jimmy's suit.) The low-cut scoop neckline of the vest showed off the gold buttons that cascaded down the bodice of her white gown. This is a smart way to add a bit of contrast and structure to a wedding outfit. Today, a fitting equivalent would be choosing a bridal jumpsuit for a modern look on your wedding day. Rosalynn also wore white accessories including a floppy hat and cute short gloves that accentuated her girlish features. A floral boutonnière that was placed on her lapel added whimsy. Maybe the vest was good luck as the Carters' marriage lasted 77 years, making the longest presidential marriage in history.

Lou Hoover may have been the first presidential wife to break away from the tradition of a white wedding dress. She chose the complete opposite for her wedding outfit: a black gown. Herbert Hoover and Lou Henry married in 1899 just as the new millennium was about to occur. The small ceremony was held where Lou's parents lived in Monterey, California.

The bride and the groom matched as they both wore black for the wedding. Lou's black dress had long sleeves and ruffles, probably warm for the California ceremony. That could be why they both also wore hats. Herbert appeared to be wearing a fedora-style cap while Lou wore a hat with a long brim which hopefully protected her eyes from the sun. It looks like Lou's family also received the memo to dress in all black. They wore hats of varying styles to celebrate the marriage, a bowler hat and a straw boater hat being the most recognizable.