When Priyanka Chopra married Nick Jonas in December 2018, the world witnessed one of the most extravagant celebrity weddings in recent history. Held at Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace, the grand affair was nothing short of a royal spectacle, complete with multiple receptions, a towering 18-foot wedding cake, and the pièce de résistance—a 75-foot-long wedding veil designed by Ralph Lauren.
But what was the story behind this jaw-dropping bridal accessory? In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Priyanka shared the details of how the veil, originally envisioned to be 100 feet long, was “compromised” down to 75 feet and how it became one of the most talked-about elements of her wedding.
Priyanka’s 75-foot veil was a show-stopping moment
For her Western wedding ceremony, Priyanka had worn a custom Ralph Lauren gown, adorned with intricate hand-beaded floral motifs, scalloped lace sleeves, and a high-neck collar. Beneath the embroidered bodice was a strapless column dress featuring 2,380,000 mother-of-pearl sequins. However, it was her veil that stole the show.
According to Priyanka, the concept of the extravagant veil came from Ralph Lauren himself.
“His idea was to have a 100-foot veil,” Priyanka recalled in the interview with Harper’s. “I said 50, and we compromised with 75. The veil was stitched onto my head, and I had to look graceful while tugging it. At one point, I got stuck, and six people from the atelier had to come and unstick it… But when I walked out, it was perfect. My neck muscles were on my side.”
The aerial shots of Priyanka walking down the aisle with the veil trailing dramatically behind her instantly went viral, making it one of the most memorable bridal moments in history.
As soon as Priyanka’s 75-foot veil made its debut, the internet erupted with reactions. Some fans were in awe of its grandeur, while others found humour in the sheer length of the train.
Many also compared it to Meghan Markle’s veil, which was 16 feet long, noting that Priyanka had “outdone” the Duchess of Sussex in bridal drama.
“Every girl dreams of being a princess on her wedding day,” Priyanka had shared in an interview with PEOPLE in 2018. “But I never had a plan about what I wanted it to be.”
Priyanka and Nick had a special connection with Ralph Lauren, as their love story began at the 2017 Met Gala, where they attended as guests of the designer.
Story continues below this ad
“They’re so much a part of our love story for obvious reasons,” Priyanka said. “When Ralph Lauren approached us, I learned that he had only designed three wedding dresses in 50 years—one for his daughter, one for his daughter-in-law, and one for his niece. I was blown away.”
Working closely with Lauren and stylist Mimi Cuttrell, Priyanka’s dress took 1,826 hours to complete, and its intricate embroidery carried hidden messages, including the names of her husband, her parents, and their wedding date.
