Wedding Dress Drama: How Princess Diana’s wedding dress taught Fergie what NOT to wear

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton’s wedding dresses may have been crowned the most-searched of the decade, but Sarah Ferguson’s is equally iconic in its own right.

© Provided by Evoke.ie

On July 23, 1986, Sarah Ferguson became the Duchess of York as she wed Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey.

Her dress was a sartorial triumph and become a much-loved style for brides for years to come. In fact, it was reported that just two hours after she walked down the aisle, bridal boutiques rushed to display replicas of the royal wedding dress.

Designed by British couturier and designer Lindka Cierach, it was influenced, in part, by another iconically stylish royal: Princess Diana.

The pretty pink outfit Princess Diana wore on her wedding day is on display in a new exhibition

Her 'honeymoon' outfit and wedding gown are part of the Royal Style in the Making exhibition.A new Kensington Palace exhibition is exploring the relationship between fashion designer and royal client. It's filled with mesmerising gowns alongside original sketches, fabric swatches, unseen photographs and handwritten notes from the royals; all curated from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and designers' archives.

© Provided by Evoke.ie The wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, London, UK, 23rd July 1986. Pic: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images

Like Kate Middleton’s fairy tale custom Alexander McQueen wedding dress, the bodice of Fergie’s wedding dress fit like a corset.

Crafted from duchess satin, the scoop neck gown featured silver embroidery and also included an elaborate 17-foot train (more on that later).

The African-born designer told People that she wanted the royals’ ‘sense of fun’ to be evident from the wedding gown. The embroidery and beading was a vehicle for this most of which was inspired by Fergie’s family crest featuring thistles and bumblebees along with anchors and waves to pay tribute to the Duke of York’s sailing background.

Holly Willoughby intrigues fans with crystal Instagram post

"If you know, you know!!"Holly Willoughby got fans talking with her latest cryptic Instagram post in which she held aloft a crystal, believed to be Celestine, over her eye.

Except, many of the bride-to-be’s other suggestions for the embroidery ended up on the cutting room floor. Some of the motifs that got the chop included helicopters, lovebirds and teddybears!

© Provided by Evoke.ie Ronald Ferguson and Sarah Ferguson enter Westminster Abbey. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

The train also carried a secret tribute to the loved-up couple with their initials ‘S’ and ‘A’ intertwined in silver beading.

They also purposefully chose a different fabric to that of Princess Diana, Good Housekeeping notes, who was credited with partially introducing the pair.

Princess Diana’s wedding dress remains one of the most iconic of all time, not just from a royal standpoint, she even had a secret second dress lined up just in case. The choice of material famously proved troublesome, as her 25-foot long taffeta train ended up being all crumbled after the carriage ride to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Princess Diana's wedding dress mishap that went unnoticed

Princess Diana suffered a fashion faux pas with her wedding dress by David and Elizabeth Emanuel shortly before marrying Prince Charles.MORE: Princess Diana's pink dress she wore on her wedding day revealed in new exhibition

And this was something Sarah took on board, making sure to opt for a more manageable fabric with her own special outfit.

Recounting her dress from the day she said ‘I do’ to the Queen’s son, the Duchess of York said in the book My Story that her wedding dress designer a ‘genius’ and said: ‘We’d chosen duchess satin because it is the creamiest material in the world.’

© Provided by Evoke.ie Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s wedding photo. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

While Sarah Ferguson’s wedding dress might not have been exactly as she had imagined it would be, she looked every inch a princess on her big day.

It was reported around 100,000 people gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace to see the newlywed royal couple share their first kiss.

Related: Dress Drama: Meghan Markle’s €120k wedding dress sparked copy controversy

© Provided by Evoke.ie Sarah Duchess of York and Prince Andrew leave Westminster Abbey. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

© Provided by Evoke.ie Sarah Duchess of York and Prince Andrew are seen walking down the aisle together after tying the knot. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

© Provided by Evoke.ie Prince William was a page boy on the day, aged four. Sarah Duchess of York and Prince Andrew with Prince Edward, Peter Phillips and Prince William. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

© Provided by Evoke.ie Peter Phillips (L), Zara Phillips (3rd left) The Queen Mother (2nd right), Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex And Prince William (R) stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the wedding of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York on July 23, 1986 in London, England. Pic: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

© Provided by Evoke.ie As she entered the church she wore a coronet of gardenias which are known to be Prince Andrew’s favourite flower. Pic: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

© Provided by Evoke.ie The bride carried a unique S-shaped bouquet. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

© Provided by Evoke.ie Prince Andrew is seen kissing Sarah Ferguson on the balcony, after their wedding ceremony at Buckingham Palace in this photo. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Edward stand to the right of the couple. Pic: Getty Images

© Provided by Evoke.ie Sarah Duchess of York and Prince Andrew wave to crowds. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

© Provided by Evoke.ie The wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, London, UK, 23rd July 1986. Pic: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images

© Provided by Evoke.ie On the balcony of Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York wave to well-wishers after their wedding, London, England, July 23, 1986. Pic: Derek Hudson/Getty Images

© Provided by Evoke.ie The 1986 wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. Pic: REX