Where Is Grace Kelly’s Iconic $786,000 Wedding Dress?

It’s one of the most well-known and trendsetting wedding dresses of the past 100 years: Grace Kelly’s iconic gown for her royal nuptials. On April 19, 1956, the actress tied the knot with Prince Rainier III of Monaco. As one of the biggest Hollywood stars of her time, the Philadelphia native’s big day was one of the most significant celebrations of the century, setting the standards for opulent affairs for decades to come. That importance was reflected in the bride’s gown, which quickly became famous for its timeless design.

However, the timeless piece wasn’t the only ensemble the actress wore for her multi-day celebration. The day before her religious ceremony at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the star wore a two-piece pink dress with colored lace for her civil ceremony. Like her famous wedding ensemble, she paired the outfit with a Juliet cap—and added short gloves for the occasion. That evening, she changed into a white silk Lanvin gown to attend a special performance at the Monaco Opera in the couple’s honor, her final public outing before her grand wedding.

Here, we break down everything you need to know about the actress’s iconic wedding dress, including how much it cost, what it took to construct, and where it is today.

How Much Did Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress Cost?

In 1956, the actress’s wedding dress reportedly cost $65,200, equivalent to approximately $786,000 today. However, rather than paying for the gown herself, Kelly received the piece as a gift from her studio, Metro-Goldyn-Mayer (MGM). Since they were funding the creation of the dress, MGM played a large role in the design process.

The Creation of Grace Kelly’s Royal Wedding Dress

Under the supervision of Helen Rose and MGM, it took 35 seamstresses six weeks to craft Grace Kelly’s showstopping gown, according to Women’s Wear Daily. Rose was no stranger to iconic pieces. The award-winning costume designer had been tasked with creating Kelly’s looks for her roles in a number of films, including High Society and The Swan. The construction of the piece required 25 yards each of peau de soie and silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, and 300 yards of val lace, WWD reported. Following its completion, the high-neck dress featured thousands of hand-sewn pearls, a Brussels lace bodice, long sleeves, and a 10-and-a-half-foot-long train.

For her religious nuptials, the actress carried a prayer book embellished with silk, lace, and pearls that complemented her gown. When it came time to select her headpiece, the movie star opted for a Juliet cap featuring Belgian lace, pearl embellishments, delicate wax orange blossoms, and wired floral lace motifs with a tulle veil, according to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She completed her look with a pair of custom heels from David Evins. For good luck, she tucked a penny into the right shoe.

The Legacy of Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress

In this decades since its debut, Kelly’s wedding dress has inspired countless other famous gowns. For her 2011 royal nuptials, Kate Middleton, along with Sarah Burton, her designer, drew inspiration from the actress’s 1956 dress. The two historic pieces share a number of key details—from their long sleeves and lace accents to their delicate bodices and full skirts. Other celebrities who turned to Kelly’s big-day ensemble for inspiration include Naomi Biden, Priyanka Chopra, Lauren Sánchez, and Paris Hilton.

Where Is Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress Now?

The actress’s wedding dress is currently at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a gift from Kelly to the institution two months after her nuptials. While the piece is not currently on display, it was featured in 2006 as part of the “Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress” exhibition, which was held in honor of the princess’s 50th wedding anniversary.