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Entertainment

21 Rare Photos from Grace Kelly’s Royal Wedding That Will Make You Feel Like You Were There

By Meredith Bodgas

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Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in Monaco during an elaborate wedding in April 1956. Relive the magical day–or see it for the first time!–with these incredible ceremony and reception photos.

  1. Grace Kelly gets white dove before civil ceremony

    Getty Images

    Receiving a Dove

    On the day of her civil ceremony, before her televised religious wedding, a little girl gave Grace Kelly a white dove.

  3. Grace Kelly Releases Wedding Dove

    Getty Images

    Releasing the Dove

    Here's the bride happily freeing the dove back into the air.

  5. Grace Kelly Civil Ceremony Dress

    via Facebook

    Grace Kelly's Civil Wedding Ceremony Dress

    Helen Rose, a costume designer for MGM Studios, created this dress in addition to the famous gown the actress wore for her religious wedding ceremony.

  6. Grace Kelly Monaco Cathedral Arrival

    Getty Images

    Red Carpet Arrival

    Grace Kelly walked the red carpet before entering St. Nicholas Cathedral for the couple's religious ceremony.

  7. Grace Kelly Monaco Cathedral Arrival 2

    Getty Images

    It Was a Long Walk!

    Thirty-million people tuned in to this landmark televised event and eagerly anticipated the moment their favorite Hollywood starlet officially became a princess.

  9. Grace Kelly's Bridal Party

    via Facebook

    Grace Kelly's Bridal Party

    The matron of honor was Kelly's sister Peggy. Six of her longtime American friends served as bridesmaids. The child attendants were the couple's nieces and nephews and one royal cousin.

  10. Formal Couple Portrait

    via Facebook

    Formal Wedding Portrait

    Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier posed for this classic wedding picture.

  11. Grace Kelly Wedding Closeup

    via Facebook

    Grace Kelly's Wedding Veil

    According to People, Kelly's headpiece was specially designed so her unforgettable face would show up clearly in photos even while she wore it.

  13. Grace Kelly Wedding Bouquet

    via Facebook

    Grace Kelly's Wedding Bouquet

    The bride carried a simple gathering of Lilies of the Valley.

  14. Grace Kelly Wedding Dress Back

    via Facebook

    The Wedding Dress from Behind

    Designer Helen Rose believed the back of a gown was important, hence the ornate rear view.

  15. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier on Their Wedding Day

    Getty Images

    The Happy Couple

    The bride and groom were surrounded by cameras and people at almost all times throughout their wedding day.

  17. Her Most Serene Highness Princess Grace Patricia

    Getty Images

    The Religious Ceremony

    Here's when Grace Kelly became Her Most Serene Highness Princess Grace Patricia.

  18. Praying During Service Monaco Cathedral

    Getty Images

    Praying in the Cathedral

    Though very little about this fairytale wedding was typical, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier did have a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony.

  19. Walking Downstairs Monaco Cathedral

    Getty Images

    Steps to a Great Marriage

    At last, the bride and groom walked down the stairs at St. Nicholas Cathedral.

  21. Grace Kelly Wedding Guards

    Getty

    Heavily Guarded

    Military flanked the newlyweds during their recessional.

  22. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier Leaving Monaco Cathedral

    Getty Images

    The Royal Ride

    The bride and groom made their grand exit in a 1956 Rolls Royce.

  23. Shrine Of St Devota Patron Saint Of Principality

    Getty Images

    Pious Pitstop

    As is custom, the couple visited the Shrine of St. Devota on their wedding day.

  25. Grace Kelly Waving from Car

    via Facebook

    Acknowledging the Crowd

    Grace Kelly waved to adoring fans. As many as 20,000 people flocked to Monaco for the event--effectively doubling the population!

  26. Princess Grace Arrives For Evening Celebrations

    Getty

    Reception Arrival

    Here's the newly crowned princess making her entrance for her nighttime celebration.

  27. Grace Kelly's Wedding Cake

    via Facebook

    The Wedding Cake

    A towering confection provided a regal backdrop at the couple's reception.

  29. Grace Kelly's Wedding Cake Full

    Getty

    The Whole Wedding Cake

    Now you can see just how tall it was!

Keep scrolling, there's more!
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