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The Story Behind the Fashion Moment: Sarah Jessica Parker’s Black Wedding Dress

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Photo: Karl Feile

In November 1991, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were introduced through Parker’s brothers, Pippin and Toby, who founded the Naked Angels Theater Company. Both already established in the industry, Broderick directed a play at the siblings’ theater, leading to their meeting.

Photo: Ron Davis

In 1996, after five years of dating, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick finally shared the stage together. They debuted on Broadway in the production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Sarah couldn’t contain her admiration for Matthew, expressing her feelings to the Los Angeles Times, “He’s probably the funniest fellow I’ve met in my whole life… He’s so bright, so handsome, I think he’s the most handsome man I’ve seen in my life. And he inspires me. I’m mad for him, totally.”

Sarah also revealed how their first encounter unfolded, recalling, “He left a very charming, very self-effacing message on the machine – “You know, ‘Hi, it’s Matthew Broderick.’ You had to use your last name”, as she shared with the New York Times.

Photo: New York Daily News Archive

On May 19, 1997, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick officially tied the knot at the Angel Orensanz Synagogue in New York City. They decided not to make a big fuss about their wedding. Instead, they cleverly disguised it as a regular party, inviting around 100 friends to witness their intimate ceremony at the Synagogue. The celebration continued into the night with a reception filled with show tunes that lasted until 2 a.m.

While the unexpected nature of their wedding surprised everyone, what truly captured everyone’s attention was Sarah Jessica Parker’s choice of a black wedding gown. The actress later revealed that she had initially purchased the ruffled, black Morgane Le Fay dress with a modest corsage and a full-flowing skirt to keep their nuptials low-key. Sarah thought that opting for an off-the-rack black dress would help them avoid attracting too much attention, unlike a traditional white wedding gown.

During a Watch What Happens Live appearance, Sarah Jessica Parker shared the true story with Andy Cohen. “Oh, I wish it was because I was being rebellious. There was a store that I liked, and I just went there and picked out whatever they had hanging,” she explained. “I felt too self-conscious to get married in white, and both Matthew and I were hesitant about being the center of attention,” Sarah told Marie Claire in 2006. Ironically, it was her black gown that ended up drawing the most attention.

Photo: Leo Sorel

In later years, Parker repeatedly admitted that she regretted her choice and stated that if given a chance to “replay” the wedding, she would opt for a white gown. And during an interview with Martha Stewart Weddings in 2015, Sarah Jessica Parker shared she had wanted an “Oscar de la Renta feel, pockets below the waist, a very fitted bodice, a huge skirt, in taffeta and duchesse satin.”

Photo: Courtesy of Oscar de la Renta

It appears that Carrie Bradshaw attempted to walk down the aisle in a reminiscent gown, if not an actual Oscar de la Renta design, but Vivienne Westwood, during her “almost” wedding with Mr. Big.

Photo: New York Daily News Archive

When asked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Sarah Jessica Parker told the Huffington Post that privacy plays a significant role. “The secret is, we don’t discuss it. To reporters or anybody else. That’s it!” she told the site. “We don’t hold it up as an example, and we don’t air our dirty laundry.” In addition to valuing privacy, the couple’s genuine interest in each other and continuous efforts to grow together contribute to their strong bond. Matthew Broderick expressed this sentiment during an interview with Meredith Vieira, saying, “We really are friends beyond everything else, and we talk a lot. She’s really funny, she makes me laugh.”

Sarah Jessica Parker celebrated her 26th wedding anniversary with Matthew Broderick on May 20 this year, and she took to Instagram to mark the occasion with a heartfelt post. “Happy 26th anniversary, my husband,” the actress wrote as a caption to a picture of a cork. “That sure was a nice celebration and a really nice bottle of champagne. And a gorgeous walk home. Oh the miles we have strolled together. I love you.”

Photo: 1 – Ron Galella, 2 – Time & Life Pictures, 3 – Evan Agostini, 4 – Jeff Kravitz, 5 – David M. Benett, 6 – Jeff Vespa

Photo: Bruce Glikas

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