The religious marriage of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and his longtime Italian partner Rebecca Bettarini took place today at St Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg, the first Romanov wedding to take place in this cathedral in over 300 years.
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Rebecca’s gown is a collaborative creation made by Reem Acra and Elina Samarina for Sergio Marcone Moscow.
“Reem Acra has exquisite taste and her gowns are designed holistically as if they were a masterwork of architecture, I had only two requirements: a refined and modern dress made of Italian Silk Mikado, in the classic Italian wedding gowns of the 1960s.” – Rebecca Bettarini
“The dress is a classic that is made to give a nod to the purity of the symbolism of marriage. Made of European fabric and designed in New York, and worn in Russia it’s a combination of 3 worlds and a tribute to our common roots.” – Reem Acra
The gown, in ivory Italian Silk Mikado, features a high neckline, fitted bodice, long sleeves, natural waist and a full ballgown skirt.
A 6-meter long train, created by Russian born designer Elina Samarina, attached from the shoulders.
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Rebecca arrived for the ceremony in a silk tulle veil over her face that extended the full length of the train.
Elina Samarina drew from Russia’s long, rich tradition of embroidery, using the traditional Torzhok style to embroider the Romanoff family crest onto the silk tulle veil in gold thread.
“It pays a joint tribute to the Italian and Russian culture. It showcases a blend of Russian craftsmanship and Italian elegance. It connects with symbols and motifs every Russian can identify with. It expresses continuity between the present and the past, and it’s issued of a high skilled collaboration between our countries.” – Elina Samarina
Rebecca topped the veil with Chaumet’s “Lactis” tiara, a modern retake on the traditional Russian Kokoshnik shape.
Following the ceremony, Rebecca removed the cape train and veil to lay her white orchid bouquet on the graves of Grand Duke George’s grandparents, Grand Duke Vladimir and Grand Duchess Leonida, in the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. The resulting photographs give great view of the silhouette of her gown and tiara.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesRebecca’s attendants wore gold and dark green velvet Tudor style pearl trimmed dresses with matching Kokoshnik headpieces made by Russian brand Russkaya Korona
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For tonight’s gala dinner, Rebecca, who will now be known as HSH Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff, wore a hand embroidered silk tulle gown also by Reem Acra. Elina Samarina added another Russian-designed element to the ensemble with a white silk Mikado cape inspired by traditional designs and embroidered in a Torzhok style. It looks like her bridal tiara was placed further back on her head, a look I much prefer.
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What do you think of this Imperial bridal look?
Jump over to these posts for additional coverage of this event:
Imperial Royal Wedding: Family and Guests
Civil Wedding Ceremony
Images from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
I’m sorry but the only thing I do like is the wedding dress. I don’t like the tiara, or the bridesmaids, or the mother of the groom’s and the mother of the bride’s outfit.
I love the tiara close-up. It is so lacy, airy, and large! I read it had 400 diamonds in it! But, unfortunately, at the church wedding you could hardly see it in the pictures. So sad!!! I am sure it sparkled in person. In the evening it showed up much better in the pictures and the placement farther back on her head was part of the reason. The other part was the hairstyle. (She needed a Swedish hairstylist to give her good tiara hair for her wedding!!). The dress was a little too simple for my taste, though I loved the ballgown skirt and the long train. I am just on #teamlace, so I liked the evening dress better–the cape was a nice idea for the evening, but the poof on the sleeves was just weird. I thought the embroidery on the veil was a very nice royal touch and how wonderful to use Russian embroiderers! They seemed to do all the right things like leaving the bouquet at the ancestor’s grave, etc. I loved the richness of the bridesmaids material and the fall colors, but the style of the dresses was a letdown.
Her dress is simple and grand, but I’m kinda struggling to see a lot of design in it to be honest, it’s so plain. (Reminds me of Silvia’s, Sonja’s, Fabiola’s, which were clearly references from what the designer said). It is lovely and elegant though, but it doesn’t stand out for me. And the tiara is worn way too far forward; her hair needed to be much more to cope with it. I like the modern take on a kokoshnik, but know it won’t be to everyone’s tastes. As you said, it’s styled better in the evening.
And those poor bridesmaids! Those dresses are just bad, I get wanting traditional styles, but they look like 70s party dresses my sister wore.
I normally try and be a bit more positive than this…
I’m afraid I agree with you, JamesB. The fabric sounds sumptuous, and I appreciate the simple lines of the dress, but the others you mention are better examples of this style. The gold embroidery is jarring to me,
The tiara did indeed look better positioned farther back, but I’m not wild about the wiry look.
How extraordinary that Russia hosted a Royal Wedding. The first in this cathedral in 300 years, and the first Royal wedding in well over a century.
Princess Victoria’s gown is gorgeous. I love how refined it is. I also love her evening gown. Both have elements of a “princess dress,” meaning a large skirt that looks so dramatic on the long aisle of the cathedral.
I do prefer the tiara sitting further back on her head, and I wonder if a fuller hairstyle would have showcased the tiara more.
Overall, a very pretty, dramatic and historic look. Her smile is just gorgeous and hasn’t left her face! Truly, a beautiful bride.