On 19 April 1956, Grace Kelly became Her Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III.
The civil ceremony had taken place a day earlier in the throne room of the palace. Grace had worn a fitted dress with a flared skirt made of pale pink taffeta, covered by cream lace. Like her wedding dress, this was also designed by Helen Rose.
The religious ceremony was held in the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. The solemn mass was conducted in French by Bishop Gilles Barthe and witnessed by 700 guests. The cathedral was decorated with several kinds of flowers, such as lilies and lilacs.
Grace walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, John Kelly. The groom arrived after her, and they met up at the altar. Following their vows, they exchanged rings before kneeling to pray and receive communion.
After departing the cathedral, the newlyweds headed to their reception at the Hotel de Paris in a Rolls-Royce, which had been gifted to them by the people of Monaco. Their six-tiered wedding cake was a replica of the Prince’s Palace, and they cut it using Prince Rainier’s ceremonial sword.
Her now-iconic wedding dress had a high-necked collar, long sleeves, a fitted waist panel and a billowing skirt. It was made of silk taffeta, silk net, peau de soie, tulle, and Brussels rose point lace. The dress was a gift from MGM Studios. Grace wore a Juliet cap with seed pearls and orange blossom details. Her veil was made from 90 yards of tulle. Her bouquet consisted of Lilies of the Valley.
Her six bridesmaids were Judy Balaban, Rita Gam, Maree Frisby, Carolyn Scott, Sally Parrish, and Bettina Thompson. They were gowns designed by Joe Allen Hong at Neiman Marcus. Her matron of honour was her sister, Margaret. The six junior attendants were dressed in white.
MGM Studios broadcast both the civil and the religious ceremony as part of a deal to release Grace from her contract.
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