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It was 1997. Long before the tutu in the Sex and the City credits or the bird on her head in the first movie, Sarah Jessica Parker was just a woman trying to get married without making a scene. She and Matthew Broderick had been together for a while. They wanted a low-key New York City wedding. So, she went to a store she loved, saw a dress on the rack, and bought it. It wasn't white. It wasn't ivory. It was midnight black.
The Sarah Jessica Parker black wedding dress became an instant legend. People thought it was a manifesto. A rebellion against tradition. A fashion-forward "screw you" to the status quo.
The reality? It was actually a move fueled by anxiety.
SJP has admitted in multiple interviews, most notably with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live and in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, that she chose black because she was "too embarrassed" to spend time looking for a traditional wedding dress. She didn't want the fuss. She didn't want the attention. Ironically, by trying to fly under the radar, she created one of the most discussed fashion moments of the 20th century.
The Story Behind the Morgane Le Fay Gown
Most people assume the dress was custom-made by a high-end designer specifically for a gothic or avant-garde theme. Nope. She literally walked into a boutique called Morgane Le Fay and picked it off the rack.
Morgane Le Fay is known for that ethereal, slightly moody, downtown NYC vibe. The dress featured a ruffled skirt and spaghetti straps. It was sophisticated, sure. But it wasn't meant to be a "wedding dress" in the traditional sense. Parker has since lamented that she just "shimmied" into it because she didn't want to deal with the search for a white gown.
She wanted to be a "regular" person getting married. But when you're Sarah Jessica Parker and you're marrying Matthew Broderick at the Angel Orensanz Center on the Lower East Side, "regular" is off the table.
Honestly, the wedding itself was a surprise for the 100 guests. They thought they were just showing up for a party. Then, surprise! A ceremony. The black dress fit that "secret party" vibe perfectly, even if SJP now looks back and wishes she’d done things differently.
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Why the Sarah Jessica Parker Black Wedding Dress Still Matters Today
Trends are weird. Usually, a 1997 fashion choice looks dated within five years. But the Sarah Jessica Parker black wedding dress has lived a thousand lives. It paved the way for the "non-traditional bride." Before SJP, if you wore black, people assumed you were mourning or perhaps a bit "alternative." After her, it became a legitimate stylistic choice.
We saw Vera Wang release entire collections of black wedding gowns years later. We saw celebrities like Shenae Grimes and Christine Quinn follow suit.
But here’s the kicker: SJP actually hates that she wore it.
In 2016, she told Andy Cohen that if she were to renew her vows, she would "white it up." She’d want a "proper wedding dress." She wants the Oscar de la Renta vibe. She wants the cream, the ivory, the satin. It’s a classic case of "the grass is always greener." The woman who gave everyone permission to be edgy just wanted to look like a princess.
Breaking the Superstition
There’s an old-school superstition that wearing black at a wedding is bad luck. It’s associated with death. In some cultures, it’s practically a curse on the union.
Clearly, that’s nonsense.
Parker and Broderick have been married for nearly three decades. In Hollywood years, that’s basically an eternity. It’s several lifetimes. If the black dress was supposed to bring bad vibes, it clearly failed. They are one of the most stable couples in the industry. Maybe the dress was a lucky charm after all? Or maybe, just maybe, the color of a piece of fabric has zero impact on the emotional labor required to keep a marriage alive for 28 years.
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The Logistics of a 90s NYC Wedding
The wedding took place on a Monday. Think about that. Monday, May 19, 1997. Who gets married on a Monday? People who really, really want to avoid the paparazzi.
The venue, the Angel Orensanz Center, is a converted synagogue. It’s got these incredible high ceilings and a slightly crumbling, gothic beauty. A white dress would have popped against those red walls. But the black dress? It blended. It was moody. It was very "Lower East Side."
It’s funny to think about SJP—this massive star—just walking into a shop and buying a dress. No stylists. No multi-million dollar contracts with Dior or Chanel at the time. Just a woman and a credit card. It’s a level of autonomy you don't see with modern A-listers who are often walking billboards for brands.
Misconceptions About the "Carrie Bradshaw" Connection
A lot of fans conflate Sarah Jessica Parker with her character, Carrie Bradshaw. They assume the black wedding dress was a "Carrie" move.
But Sex and the City didn't even premiere until 1998, a year after the wedding.
Carrie Bradshaw would have never worn that black dress. Carrie would have worn the Vivienne Westwood gown from the first movie—the one with the massive "cloud" of silk—or she would have worn the vintage suit she eventually wore to City Hall. The black Morgane Le Fay dress was pure SJP. It was her own personal brand of 90s minimalism mixed with a dash of "I'm too busy to do this properly."
Expert Insight: The Psychology of the "Anti-Bride"
Stylists often point to this moment as the birth of the "Anti-Bride" movement.
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When you look at the Sarah Jessica Parker black wedding dress, you’re seeing a rejection of the "Bridezilla" culture that was starting to brew in the late 90s. This was the era of Father of the Bride and massive, puffy sleeves. By choosing black, SJP signaled that the ceremony was about the relationship, not the costume.
Of course, the irony is that the costume is all we talk about 30 years later.
What You Should Consider if You’re Thinking About Black
If you’re reading this because you’re considering a black gown for your own big day, take a page from SJP’s book—but maybe the updated version.
- Photography is tricky. Black absorbs light. In a dimly lit venue, you might disappear into the shadows. Make sure your photographer is an expert with low-light settings.
- Texture is your friend. SJP's dress worked because of the ruffles. A flat, matte black fabric can look like a funeral shroud. You want silk, lace, or tulle to give it depth.
- The "Regret" Factor. SJP regrets it because she felt she missed out on a rite of passage. If you’ve always dreamed of the white dress, don’t go black just to be "different." Only do it if it genuinely feels like you.
Final Thoughts on the Legacy of the Dress
The Sarah Jessica Parker black wedding dress remains a cultural touchstone because it represents a specific moment in time when celebrity culture was a bit more raw and a bit less polished. It wasn't a PR stunt. It was a choice made by a woman who was tired, happy, and in love.
Whether she likes the photos now or not doesn't really matter to the rest of the world. For fashion historians and fans, that dress was a permission slip. It said you don't have to follow the rules. You don't have to wear the white lace. You can show up to your own wedding in whatever makes you feel comfortable, even if you’re "too embarrassed" to do the whole song and dance.
If you are planning a wedding and feel pressured by traditions that don't fit your personality, look at SJP. She broke the biggest rule in the book and her marriage outlasted almost everyone else's.
Actionable Next Steps for Non-Traditional Brides
If you're inspired by the SJP aesthetic but want to avoid the "regret" she felt, here is how to handle a non-traditional choice:
- Try on a white dress first. Even if you're 100% sure you want black, put on one traditional gown. It's the only way to ensure you aren't choosing black out of "embarrassment" or a desire to hide, as Parker did.
- Look at Morgane Le Fay. The brand still exists and still carries that same ethereal, effortless New York vibe that attracted SJP in the first place.
- Consider a "Second Look." Many modern brides wear white for the ceremony and switch to a dramatic black gown for the reception. It’s the best of both worlds and ensures you get those "classic" photos while still expressing your edgy side.
- Focus on the venue. A black dress needs a backdrop that contrasts. Think industrial lofts with white brick, or a garden at sunset. Avoid dark wood paneling or poorly lit ballrooms.
Don't let the fear of "what people will think" dictate your color palette. But also, don't let the fear of "making a fuss" stop you from wearing the gown you actually want. SJP’s biggest mistake wasn't the color—it was the reason she chose it. Choose your dress because you love it, not because you’re trying to hide.