Nearly a week after Emma Roberts and actor Cody John exchanged vows on July 25, 2026, fashion designer Monique Lhuillier gave fans a rare glimpse into the making of the actress' bridal wardrobe.
Beginning July 31, Monique uploaded a series of Instagram posts documenting the journey behind Emma's custom wedding looks, pairing elegant portraits with intimate behind-the-scenes videos from the actress' final fitting.
From the moment she stepped into Monique Lhuillier's showroom, Emma appeared to be enjoying every second of the experience.
One behind-the-scenes clip opened with the actress admiring a mannequin dressed in the early version of her wedding gown.
Wearing a powder blue cardigan over a white outfit, Emma smiled brightly as she walked around the dress, already looking eager to see how the finished creation would come together.
Emma exclaimed, "Monique, this is crush!"
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THE ENTOURAGE'S REACTION
Perhaps the most emotional video Monique uploaded was one where Emma finally presented the completed bridal look to her closest friends and family.
In it, the Hollywood actress stepped out wearing the finished ensemble while members of her entourage waited to see her for the first time.
Several members of the group burst into tears almost instantly, visibly overwhelmed as Emma appeared before them.
The emotional response caught Emma by surprise, prompting laughter to accompany the tears filling the room.
At one point, Monique explained that the wedding dress could transform into multiple versions.
"There's five looks in the dress," the designer told Emma.
Clearly impressed, Emma replied in the direction of her entourage: "Isn't it so cool?"
The transformation prompted audible gasps from those watching inside the atelier, with the ladies visibly stunned by how dramatically the gown kept changing.
Everyone began imagining how Emma's now-husband Cody would react.
She herself stated: "He's gonna love it. I mean, he loves anything that I love. He wouldn't care if I wore jeans, but he's gonna definitely die for this."
After hours of fittings and adjustments, the mood shifted into celebration.
One behind-the-scenes video showed Emma pop open a bottle of champagne as everyone in the room cheered her on.
Members of her team and entourage quickly gathered around, each taking a glass before raising a toast together.
DETAILS OF EMMA'S COUTURE PIECES BY MONIQUE LHUILLIER
While Monique's behind-the-scenes videos captured the heart and soul leading up to Emma's special day, the designer also dedicated several IG posts to explaining the painstaking craftsmanship behind the actress' bridal wardrobe.
Rather than simply unveiling beautiful gowns, Monique walked followers through the inspiration, artistry, and months-long process that transformed Emma's vision into reality.
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The Vintage Bridal Look
Emma may have been the bride, but her custom Monique Lhuillier piece was every bit as much a work of couture as it was a wedding dress.
Across a series of Instagram posts, Monique pulled back the curtain on the creation of the gown.
As she wrote in her caption: "A vintage inspiration set the tone for Emma's custom wedding gown.
"A structural, natural-waist corset served as the foundation for beautifully layered and draped silk chiffon.
"Rooted in warm tones, the color palette drew inspiration from nude and soft blush shades to develop the bride's custom color, 'Vintage Rose,' named in honor of her middle name."
The silhouette did not rely on exposed boning or dramatic seams. Instead, the corsetry remains concealed beneath dozens of meticulously hand-draped layers of silk chiffon.
Fine pleats stretch horizontally across Emma's torso before sweeping diagonally toward her waist.
Every fold in the draping appears individually placed, overlapping one another like delicate brushstrokes across the bodice.
Monique added: "The tight, linear draping across the bodice accented its intricate corset detailing, while the layered skirt created effortless, elegant movement that captured the bride's bohemian spirit.
"The gown seamlessly transforms with an asymmetric, draped chiffon shawl featuring hand-dipped ecru French lace for the perfect color.
"This shawl showcases an epic train with a breathtaking form, highlighted by hand-applied lace details."
From the waist downward, the gown relaxes into a fluid, softly pleated skirt that moves almost weightlessly.
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One of its most distinctive features is the removable asymmetric chiffon shawl, wrapping elegantly around the neckline before cascading into an extraordinary cathedral-like train.
Hand-dipped ecru French lace delicately frames the neckline and edges of the shawl, introducing subtle texture while maintaining the gown's monochromatic palette.
Finishing the look off is a vintage headpiece.
"Emma's look is completed with a chic veilette adorned with a delicate lace trim that covers the bride's eyes in the utmost style," Monique explained.
"This veilette is paired with a cloud-like volume chapel-length veil of a Vintage Rose-colored, silk tulle, that elegantly completes the entire vision."
Behind the reinterpretation of classic romance lay months of meticulous couture craftsmanship: "Behind the making of Emma Roberts' custom Monique Lhuillier wedding gown.
"Crafted over nine months using 25 yards of fabric custom-dyed to a hue Monique named 'Vintage Rose'—the design required nearly 1,000 hours of craftsmanship and the expertise of a team of 12 artisans to bring it to life."
The Wedding Reception Dress
For the reception, Emma embraced a completely different mood while remaining faithful to the vintage aesthetic that defined her wedding day.
Rather than commissioning an entirely new design, Monique revisited one of her own archives, reimagining a gown she had originally introduced in 2003.
According to the designer, the archival piece was thoughtfully updated specifically for Emma.
The result was a striking black gown that contrasted dramatically with the softness of the ceremony dress.
Its fitted corset bodice was constructed from sheer black lace layered over structured boning.
Delicate floral lace panels alternated with visible corset channels, giving the bodice architectural definition without sacrificing femininity.
The sweetheart neckline framed her shoulders elegantly, while the semi-transparent lace revealed just enough texture to add depth under evening lighting.
Below the corset, the gown transformed into a tiered skirt composed of cascading black tulle ruffles.
The reception skirt featured shorter feather-like tiers that boasted flitting movement with every step.
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