**Sarah Jessica Parker Reflects on Her Unconventional Black Wedding Dress as She Celebrates Nearly Three Decades with Matthew Broderick**
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*19 May 2026 marks the 29th anniversary of their wedding day.*
Sarah Jessica Parker, renowned for her captivating roles and fashion-forward style, has reminisced about the day she wed actor Matthew Broderick on 19 May 1997. In a ceremony that embraced a nontraditional approach, Parker made waves by opting for a striking off-the-peg black gown instead of the conventional white wedding dress.
The memorable gown was designed by Morgane le Fay and featured delicate spaghetti straps and an eye-catching ruffled skirt. Upon reflection, Parker shared that her choice was less about making a bold fashion statement and more about her feelings of modesty. In an interview with *Marie Claire* back in 2006, she confessed, “I was too embarrassed to get married in white,” explaining that both she and Broderick preferred to keep their wedding low-key and away from the spotlight.
Parker and Broderick’s wedding ceremony was an intimate affair disguised as a simple celebration. Guests were unaware they were attending a wedding, having been invited to “a party.” This unconventional approach caught the attendees off guard, as they arrived at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in New York City, not realising the significance of the event. Reflecting on their surprise nuptials, Parker remarked in a *Marie Claire* interview, “We treated it like it was a big party on a Monday night, and I regret it.”
Should the opportunity arise to relive her wedding day, Parker would embrace a different vision. In a chat with *Today*, she stated, “I’d white it up,” expressing a desire to wear a more traditional wedding gown. Interestingly, Parker felt no intention to model a wedding dress prior to her big day, according to her comments in a 2018 *PEOPLE* interview. “I never thought about a wedding dress. Never. Had not one daydream about it,” she revealed, showing a focus instead on her relationship with Broderick.
Parker’s bridal gown was not the result of a meticulous search but rather an impulsive decision. In an appearance on *Watch What Happens Live* with Andy Cohen, she shared that she simply picked it up from a store, admitting, “I bought the first dress I looked at.” Following this candid admission, she explained her reluctance to make a grand effort in selecting a dress, stating she was too embarrassed to thoroughly shop for a wedding gown.
The inspiration for her wedding dress came from the ethos of Morgane le Fay, a label that celebrates the feminine form. Founded in 1983 by Liliana Casabal, the designer’s philosophy focuses on creating pieces that allow the wearer to feel limitless. Despite assumptions surrounding the bold black hue, Parker clarified that the aim was to shift attention away from themselves and onto their guests. “Our logic was we didn’t want to call attention to ourselves that day,” she noted.
Adding a personal touch to her ensemble, Parker chose teal blue velvet Robert Clergerie shoes as her “something blue,” echoing her character’s fashion savvy from *Sex and the City*. Additionally, she embraced the traditional wedding custom of including “something old” and “something borrowed,” using a borrowed handkerchief and an old coin as accessories for her special day.
Parker’s daring choice of a black gown opened doors for subsequent generations of brides. In a landscape traditionally dominated by white dresses, she became a pioneer for black wedding attire, paving the way for other celebrities to follow suit—such as Kourtney Kardashian, Ellen Pompeo, and Avril Lavigne, to name a few. Industry experts observed that this trend peaked around 2020, as more brides chose to break away from tradition.
Despite her fondness for her wedding day, Parker has expressed a longing for a more conventional experience if given the chance to marry again. In an interview with *Martha Stewart Weddings*, she described her ideal gown: “Now, I would want my dress to have an Oscar de la Renta feel, pockets below the waist, a fitted bodice, and a huge skirt, in taffeta or duchesse satin.” Such a silhouette, she believes, would combine a vintage charm with a modern edge.
As Sarah Jessica Parker looks back on her unique wedding day nearly three decades ago, it is clear that her choice continues to resonate within the realm of bridal fashion, inspiring many to embrace their individuality on such a significant occasion. The unconventional nature of her marriage to Matthew Broderick has moved from a surprising anecdote to a lasting legacy in the world of wedding attire.