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Here Is My Definitive Ranking Of The Best TV Wedding Dresses

Not all dresses were created equal.

Hannah Marder
by Hannah Marder

BuzzFeed Staff

Hi, I'm Hannah, and I am not married! Still, I have some pretty strong opinions about everything wedding-related.

NBC

ESPECIALLY dresses. Thus, I decided to rank all the wedding dresses I could remember from TV shows. Read on to see where your faves stand!

Note: I'm sure there are a ton I forgot! For shows like Grey's Anatomy, I couldn't include all of them because there were just so many. This list is not comprehensive!

60. Amy on The Secret Life of the American Teenager:

tiered maxi tank dress with buttons and a small ribbon at waist and a tank underneath with a scarf over it
Freeform

Truly the worst wedding dress of all time. I hate that it's a maxi dress. I hate that she's wearing a tank top under it. I hate that she has a SCARF on. Just so bad.

59. Serena on Gossip Girl:

The CW

I HATE THIS DRESS. I know it's designer and all, but she looks like a Christmas ornament. Points off for marrying Dan, too.

58. Betty on The Secret Life of the American Teenager:

Randy Holmes / ABC Family / Courtesy Everett Collection

Truly horrible. To quote Taylor Swift, she looks like a pastry.

57. Princess Diana on The Crown:

dress with ruffles and giant sleeves
Des Willie / © Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

I love you, Princess Di, but I hate this dress. It is an incredibly accurate version of the real thing, though!

56. Kimmy on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt:

dress with see-through neckline and sweetheart jeweled top and poofy skirt with lots of tulle and layers
Eric Liebowitz / Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

I chose the "fun" wedding dress for the choose-your-own-adventure episode, and boy, did I regret it. This isn't fun, Kimmy — this is 2002 prom.

55. Rachel on Friends:

lacy off the shoulder deep neckline corset top flare bottom dress
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

Oh, lord. This dress is more '80s than '90s, so it feels out of date even considering when Friends took place. No wonder she didn't go through with the wedding.

54. Callie on Grey's Anatomy:

gathered button satin dress with ruched sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder 3/4 length jeweled see-through sleeves
ABC

This dress just looks sort of cheap to me. I love the neckline, but I hate the sleeves and the skirt, and even the ruching at the top.

53. Jess on New Girl:

mid-length 3/4 sleeve v neck dress with ribbon waist
Fox

Love Jess, hate this mother of the bride–style dress.

52. Peyton on One Tree Hill:

plain, strapless, sweetheart neckline, mid-shin length dress.
The CW

I know Brooke can do better than this plain, strapless, mid-shin-length dress. Was she mad at Peyton for marrying Lucas or something?

51. Haley on Modern Family:

v neck loose sleeves embroidered empire waist short casual dress
ABC

Just like with Peyton — I know Haley was pregnant, but I still feel like she could've done better. It's too boho for Haley!

50. April on Parks and Recreation:

short sleeveless v-neck cinch waist flowy skirt casual dress
NBC

I think a casual wedding is cute, but this dress just doesn't feel very April.

49. Chanel on Scream Queens:

high-low lace dress with high sleeveless neckline and jeweled waist
Fox

I'm honestly surprised at Chanel. This dress doesn't look designer and actually feels far too 2010 for me, which isn't even when the show took place.

48. Donna on Parks and Recreation:

sweetheart neckline with jewel trim and organza see-through top with scoopneck
NBC

I'm not a fan of the see-through sleeves with the deep scoop neck. I just wish it didn't have that sheer overlay!

47. Janet on The Good Place:

subtle lace dress with off the shoulder lace scalloped neckline and short sleeves
NBC

It's classic and simple, but it's too much lace for me. Sorry, Janet!

46. Lisa on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air:

poofy skirt with corset off the shoulder top with poofy sleeves
NBC

I actually like the skirt, but the top looks sort of bulky and weirdly textured.

45. Arizona on Grey's Anatomy:

sweetheart neckline strapless tight dress with flowered bottom
ABC

This is my least favorite kind of wedding dress skirt and material. It just looks itchy to touch.

44. Pam on The Office:

simple tank strap dress with sweetheart neckline, loose but close-to-body skirt, and a jeweled belt
NBC

This dress is very Pam — simple, cute, and sweet. But it's not my fave for sure.

43. Rachel on Glee:

scoop neck cap sleeve tight top dress with tulle ballerina skirt
Fox

She looks like a ballerina, and not in a good way. Not my fave.

42. Bailey on Grey's Anatomy:

sweetheart neckline strapless top dress with mermaid cut bottom with poofy material on the skirt
ABC

I love the cut of this dress, and the top half and veil look gorg, but I just hate the skirt part. It's too much for me.

41. Felicity on Arrow (first dress):

sweetheart neckline strapless dress with jeweled trim and a flare skirt with lots of beading
The CW

I'm glad this wasn't their real wedding! It's a pretty dress, but it just doesn't feel suited to Felicity.

40. Veronica on Riverdale:

The CW

It's obvious this was just a dream. It doesn't feel very Veronica — I feel like she would wear something cooler and sleeker, whereas Betty would wear a dress like this.

39. Nell on The Haunting of Hill House:

Netflix

This is a cute boho dress, but it's not my favorite kind of style for wedding dresses.

38. Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

v neck off the shoulder 3/4 sleeve gown with a poofy ball gown skirt
20th Century Fox / Everett

Like Veronica's, this one is clearly from a dream sequence. Buffy is not the ball gown type. But I do like the neckline and the sleeves!

37. Synclaire on Living Single:

all lace wedding dress with sweetheart neckline, long sleeves, and long lace trim train
Warner Bros. Television / Courtesy Everett Collection

It's too much lace for me, and I don't love the beading or neckline. But that long veil is GORGEOUS!

36. Brittany on Glee:

deep v neck lace top with low scalloped waist and scalloped cap sleeves and a loose tulle skirt
Fox

This is a sweet, romantic dress that works well for Brittany's character, but again, just nothing special!

35. Felicity on Arrow (second dress):

v neck triangle top sheath dress with thick lace embroidery
The CW

This is a pretty, simple dress for a casual wedding. But...I feel kind of robbed of a big Olicity wedding, so points off for not being super classic!

34. Kate on This Is Us:

beaded lace dress with v neck and mid-length see-through sleeves and a ribbon empire waist
NBC

I love the lace on this because it's not overpowering, and the cut is very romantic. Still, I'm not in love with the sleeves — I wish they were longer and tighter.

33. Snow White on Once Upon a Time:

sleeveless satin dress with feathered neckline and flare skirt
ABC

I want to like this one, I do. I think the feathers are cool in theory. But in practice...

32. Emma on Glee:

straight cut strapless top with lacy see-through neck and short sleeves addition
Fox

Classic and simple, but nothing special.

31. Greer on Reign:

square neckline long sleeve dress with an embroidered pattern with scalloped bottom going into a ballgown skirt with layers
The CW

Greer's dress definitely feels like a princess dress. I love the neckline and the sleeves, but the skirt looks too much like a bedskirt for me.

30. Leslie on Parks and Recreation:

sweetheart neckline dress with sheer lace overlay that goes into a high neck and short sleeves, with a belt and a skirt made of newspaper clippings
NBC

I'll be honest, I don't love the way this dress looks. But I have to put it in the top half for how meaningful it is.

29. Elizabeth on The Crown:

square neckline santiny long sleeve dress with flare skirt and a big embroidered pattern
Alex Bailey / Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

I know they were working with history here — I do like it better than Diana's!

28. Emma on Once Upon a Time:

strapless dress with flare skirt, but with a sheer lace high-neck long sleeve button-up addition to the top
ABC

I like this dress, but I feel like it belongs on a historical character or something. She looks a bit too old-fashioned to be Emma. I also wish it were a bit more fairy tale–esque!

27. Haley on One Tree Hill:

spaghetti strap dress with a sweetheart neckline, slight flared skirt, and a satiny lace-patterned material
The WB

This is another one that's just a bit too simple for me. I also wish it were strapless or had different sleeves.

26. Aria on Pretty Little Liars:

poofy sheer lacey 3/4 sleeve dress with a glittery lacy flare skirt, a deep v plunging neckline, and a crochet belt
Freeform

I actually hated this dress when I first saw it, but since then, I've come to appreciate it for being unique and very Aria. I think if the sleeves were tighter, I'd really like it.

25. Blair on Gossip Girl (first dress):

tulle bow at the waist of a strapless sweetheart neckline lace dress with tight bodice that then flares
The CW

I honestly liked the other dress Blair chose more. I also just cannot get over how much I hate her hair here. I feel like she's wearing bad extensions.

24. Phoebe on Friends:

satin strapless corset with loose skirt starting at the lower waist
NBC

I like this dress, mostly because it's the kind of thing I would have loved in the 2000s. The satin is really pretty, and it's simple and understated for Phoebe. The color is also really nice. Still, I wish the corset were a bit shorter.

23. Rebecca on This Is Us:

NBC

I'm usually not a fan of boho wedding dresses, but this one really works. Plus, her hair and crown are perfectly styled!

22. Brooke on One Tree Hill:

strapless lace dress with a straight neckline and a thick ribbon jeweled belt and slight flared skirt
The CW

Brooke's dress is pretty, but I would've expected more from a fashion designer. Think of how extra she made Haley's original dress!

21. Caroline on The Vampire Diaries:

The CW

This dress feels very classic Caroline. I like it, but it's nothing to write home about.

20. Santana on Glee (first outfit):

trumpet mermaid dress, strapless with sweetheart neckline
Fox

I like this structured mermaid dress, but I kind of wanted to see Santana in something less traditional. I like her jumpsuit better!

19. Monica on Friends:

tight sleeveless slight mermiad dress with a sweet-heart neckline and a small train
NBC

I really love the way this dress is tailored and cut and how simple it is. I just wish the sleeves and neckline were a little different.

18. Cece on New Girl (second dress):

embroidered overlay strapless dress with sweetheart neckline
Fox

Jess did a good job with this — it came out really well. I love when wedding dresses have a splash of color.

17. Kara on Supergirl:

strapless tight tube top and ball gown bottom
The CW

I love a good ball gown without any tulle. This dress is really pretty and romantic and feels in-character, even if it wasn't for real.

16. Grace on Will and Grace:

long satin strapless corset top with pleated flare skirt starting at the waist and a 3D flower on top of the bodice
NBC / © NBC / Courtesy Everett Collection

I actually like this one. The style feels very classic and romantic. Take out that weird flower bow in the middle of the bodice and I love it.

15. Olivia on Scandal:

off the shoulder thin sleeves sweetheart neckline empire waist with flare skirt dress
ABC

Another dream world (what is up with dream worlds and weddings?), but this is one of my favorites from that bunch. I love the neckline and the off-the-shoulder sleeves. It's nice and simple. Still, I feel like it could be more Olivia.

14. Kimmy on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt:

off the shoulder white peplum dress with a bow at the waist and a thick band under the shoulder covering the bodice
Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Now, THIS is a wedding dress, Kimmy! Modern, stylish, and unique, it looks amazing on her. However, it doesn't feel super Kimmy.

13. Mary on Reign:

lace long sleeve dress with sheer-ish sleeves, corset sweetheart top with empire waist with a jeweled belt and a loose skirt with a trumpeted bottom
The CW

This is a really classy, gorgeous dress. It feels like a dress fit for a queen. But it's not my favorite from Reign.

12. Charlotte on Sex and the City:

tight dress with off the shoulder v neck and cap sleeves and criss cross belt and neckline
HBO

Both of Charlotte's dresses were really pretty, but this is my favorite. I love the crisscross neckline and V waistline. It feels unique but still classic!

11. Robin on How I Met Your Mother:

CBS

This dress is really unique. You may have picked up on the fact that I love exposed corsets. The sleeves are unique too (though they don't 100% land for me), and the belt is gorgeous.

10. Margaery on Game of Thrones:

I love the color and style, but I wanted something even more elaborate from Margaery. Still, the thorned embroidery is really cool and symbolic.

9. Blair on Gossip Girl (second dress):

beaded and 3 flowered long sleeve dress with straight neckline and thin ribbon waist
The CW

This dress is SO PRETTY. It's not very traditional, but that's what I love about it. A few points off because it feels slightly old for Blair, but otherwise, this dress is amazing.

8. Cristina on Grey's Anatomy:

lace mermaid bottom dress with tight top and light embroidery and strapless sweetheart neckline
ABC

My favorite part of this look is the necklace. it's so Gothic and gorgeous. There's something almost queenly about the dress, too, that I really love. I also love the mermaid bottom!

7. Santana on Glee (second outfit):

Fox

Wearing a white jumpsuit to your wedding is a POWER MOVE!!! I actually prefer this to the gown she wore for the real ceremony.

6. Emily on Revenge:

scalloped but straight neckline lace top dress with thick ribbon waist and loose tulle bottom
ABC

I love how simple this dress is. It's super romantic and classic, and her veil is the same. Too bad she got shot and ruined the dress. :(

5. Princess Claude on Reign:

v neck cap sleeve dress with 3D large flowers throughout and a cinched waist with a flar
John Medland / The CW / Courtesy Everett Collection

The detailing on this dress is magnificent. She looks like she's covered in white butterflies.

4. Izzie on Grey's Anatomy:

corset top with tulle bottom and swirls of beaded embroidery on the top and skirt with tiny spaghetti straps
ABC

This dress was meant for Meredith, but it looks made for Izzie. She looks like such a princess. It's simple and classic and princesslike without being over the top.

3. Iris on Supergirl:

exposed corset strapless sweetheart neckline lace top with a tiny ribbon waist and organza bottom
The CW

I wish I could've gotten a better photo of this dress, just like I wish Barry and Iris's wedding hadn't been rudely interrupted (or aired on Supergirl rather than The Flash, for that matter). But it's actually GORGEOUS. The structured corset top with the tiny ribbon and the subtle lace...flawless.

2. Cece on New Girl (first dress):

Indian wedding dress with lots of metallic embroidering and a veil that goes over
Fox

I know this wasn't the wedding Cece wanted, but she looks SO GORGEOUS!! The detailing on this dress (two piece?) is so exquisite, and that veil!!! Beautiful.

1. And finally, Cinderella on Once Upon a Time:

corset top with v bottom and ball gown skirt with 3D flowers, and poof off-the-shoulder sleeves
ABC

I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that a literal princess is at the top of this list. I wouldn't necessarily wear this dress, but it's so dreamy and romantic and perfect for Cinderella.