17 stars who have worn wedding dresses by Middle Eastern designers

Regional couturiers are favourites of brides in search of showstopping gowns

Victoria’s Secret model Jasmine Tookes wed Snapchat director Juan David Borrero in a gown by Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad. Photo: Zuhair Murad

When Colombian actress Sofia Vergara wed actor Joe Manganiello in 2015, she wore a Zuhair Murad gown. Photo: Sofia Vergara

For her 2018 wedding to equestrian Karl Cook, 'The Big Bang Theory' actress Kaley Cuoco wore a gown by Lebanese designer Reem Acra. Photo: Kaley Cuoco / Instagram

Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk shares a glimpse at her wedding to Egyptian architect and interior designer Hany Saad, for which she chose two Zuhair Murad gowns. Photo: Dorra Zarrouk / Instagram

The Lebanese shoe designer Andrea Wazen chose compatriot Nicolas Jebran for her wedding dress. Photo: Andrea Wazen

'Games of Thrones' actress Rose Leslie wore a dress by Lebanese designer Elie Saab for her wedding to Kit Harington. Photo: Rose Leslie

Model Devon Windsor wore a sheer, lacy dress with long veil by Zuhair Murad for her wedding to Alexis co-founder Johnny Barbara in November 2019. Courtesy Devon Windsor

When Napster founder Sean Parker wed Alexandra Lenas in 2013 the pair had a medieval-themed wedding, and the bride wore buttermilk, embellished Elie Saab. Photo: Alexandra Lenas

In 2012, Countess Stephanie de Lannoy married Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, to become Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg. The bride wore a custom-made Elie Saab gown. Getty Images

For her 2016 wedding to hairstylist Paolo Soffiatti, Italian fashion blogger Eleonora Carisi wore an open backed, long-sleeved, embroidered lace gown by Elie Saab. Photo: Eleonora Carisi

For her 2016 wedding to Bobby Dejban, influencer and laChambre founder Sahar Sanjar wore a buttermilk gown by Elie Saab. Photo: Sahar Sanjar

When designer Elie Saab's son, Elie Saab Junior, married Christina Mourad in July 2019, the bride wore four custom-created Elie Saab dresses for the three-day event. Photo: ParAzar Productions 

Another European royal opted to marry in Elie Saab. For her 2013 wedding to Prince Felix, Princess Claire of Luxembourg wore a lace gown with a train by the Lebanese designer. Getty Images

Kuwaiti couturier Yousef Al Jasmi was the designer behind the heavily embellished fitted gown worn by Keyshia Ka’oir when she married rapper Gucci Mane in 2017. Photo: Keyshia Ka’oir

Lebanese blogger and influencer Lana El Sahely wore a dreamy Elie Saab beaded gown for her 2015 marriage to Ali Awada. Photo: Lana El Sahely

Said Gutseriev wed student Khadija Uzhakhovs in 2016, the ceremony is rumoured to have cost $1 billion. The 20-year-old bride wore a lavish lace and beaded gown by Elie Saab. Photo: Khadija Uzhakhovs

Jennifer Lopez turned to one of her favourite designers, Lebanese maison Zuhair Murad, to dress her for her wedding to Ben Affleck.

The star wore an off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve gown, which featured a sweetheart neckline, corset bodice and fishtail train for her Las Vegas nuptials, paired with a matching lace trim veil also from Zuhair Murad.

Click through the gallery above to see more brides who wore dresses by Middle Eastern designers.

Lopez has named Murad as her “favourite designer” in the past and often chooses gowns by the house for major events, including the Met Gala.

She also modelled one of Murad’s most-extravagant wedding gowns on the big screen in her film Marry Me, released earlier this year.

Lopez is not the first celebrity bride to turn to a regional designer to create her dream wedding gown.

Creatives across the Middle East, and in particular Lebanon, are firm favourites with A-list brides looking to wear something spectacular for their special day.

Adept at cutting to flatter feminine curves, and with a long heritage of intricate handwork, designers from the region are becoming go-to designers for those in search of something amazing.

Everyone from Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, to Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco, Italian fashion blogger Eleonora Carisi and Princess Claire of Luxembourg have chosen regional designers for their big days.

In 2020, Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk married Egyptian architect and interior designer Hany Saad in Zuhair Murad, while model Jasmine Tookes also chose the designer for her 2021 wedding to Juan David Borrero.