Brittany Cartwright Wedding Details: Dress, Style & Trends

From fairytale castle venue to stunning custom gown transformations

By Medha deb
Created on

The Ultimate Fairytale Wedding: Brittany Cartwright’s Kentucky Castle Celebration

When Brittany Cartwright said “I do” to Jax Taylor on June 29, 2019, she didn’t just marry her reality TV co-star – she created a wedding that would become a benchmark for fairytale celebrations. The Vanderpump Rules star’s nuptials at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky, were nothing short of magical, combining Southern charm with Hollywood glamour in ways that continue to inspire brides today.

The wedding was particularly meaningful as it took place in Brittany’s beloved home state, allowing her to share Kentucky’s renowned hospitality with her Los Angeles-based friends and colleagues. The celebration wasn’t just a union of two people; it was a perfect blend of reality TV drama, genuine romance, and impeccable style that captured hearts across the nation.

The Venue: Kentucky Castle’s Enchanting Appeal

The Kentucky Castle provided the perfect backdrop for Brittany’s childhood dreams of a fairytale wedding. This stunning venue, originally built in 1969, has evolved throughout Kentucky’s history to become one of the state’s most sought-after wedding destinations. Located just minutes from the famous Keeneland Race Track in Versailles, the castle offers an authentic European castle experience in the heart of the Bluegrass State.

The venue’s comprehensive amenities made it ideal for hosting a celebrity wedding of this magnitude. With 14 guest rooms, a grand ballroom, bourbon bar, manicured gardens, pool, and spa facilities, The Kentucky Castle provided everything needed for a multi-day celebration. The castle regularly hosts murder mystery dinners, concerts, and bourbon tastings, but Brittany’s wedding transformed it into something truly extraordinary.

What made this venue choice particularly special was Brittany’s deep personal connection to it. Having dreamed of getting married at this castle since she was a young girl, the location represented the fulfillment of her childhood fantasies while honoring her Kentucky roots.

The Show-Stopping Wedding Dress: A Triple Transformation

Brittany Cartwright’s wedding dress became one of the most talked-about celebrity wedding gowns of 2019, and for good reason. Created by renowned designer Netta BenShabu, the custom gown featured innovative design elements that allowed for three distinct looks throughout the wedding day.

Design Details and Construction

The dress featured a sweetheart neckline adorned with intricate pearl studding across the bodice, creating a romantic and luxurious foundation. The pearl details weren’t merely decorative – they represented hours of meticulous handwork that elevated the gown from beautiful to breathtaking. The bodice’s construction provided both support and elegance, perfectly complementing Brittany’s figure while maintaining the dress’s fairytale aesthetic.

The Revolutionary 3-in-1 Design

What truly set this wedding dress apart was its transformative 3-in-1 design concept. This innovative approach allowed Brittany to have three different looks without the expense and hassle of purchasing multiple gowns:

Ceremony Look: The full ceremonial version featured the complete skirt design, creating maximum drama for the walk down the aisle.

Reception Style: For dancing and celebrating, the dress transformed into a more manageable silhouette while maintaining its elegant appeal.

Departure Ensemble: The final transformation created a sleek, sophisticated look perfect for the couple’s grand exit.

This design innovation reflects a growing trend in bridal fashion where brides seek versatility and practicality without sacrificing style. The concept allows modern brides to fully enjoy every moment of their wedding day while looking picture-perfect throughout.

Celebrity Wedding Party and Guest List

The wedding party read like a who’s who of Vanderpump Rules, showcasing the close relationships formed during years of filming together. The bridal party consisted of Brittany’s closest friends from the show, each bringing their own style and personality to the celebration.

The Bridesmaids

Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Lala Kent, and Ariana Madix served as bridesmaids, while Katie Maloney-Schwartz held the honor of matron of honor. This lineup represented not just friendships but also the evolution of relationships that viewers had watched develop on screen. Each bridesmaid brought her own fashion sensibility to complement Brittany’s vision while maintaining the overall cohesive aesthetic.

The Groomsmen

Jax’s side featured his longtime friends and reality TV co-stars Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval, and Peter Madrigal. These relationships, forged through years of shared experiences both on and off camera, added authenticity and depth to the celebration. The groomsmen’s selections reflected Jax’s journey and the friendships that had supported him through various challenges.

Ceremony Highlights and Emotional Moments

The wedding ceremony itself was filled with personal touches that elevated it beyond a typical celebrity affair. Lance Bass, former NSYNC member, officiated the ceremony, adding a touch of pop culture nostalgia that perfectly suited the couple’s reality TV background.

Honoring Family Legacy

One of the most touching elements of the ceremony was Jax’s tribute to his late father, Ronald Cauchi, who had passed away from cancer in 2017. An empty chair was reserved in his honor, symbolizing his presence in spirit and the importance of family in the couple’s journey. This gesture demonstrated the couple’s commitment to honoring their past while building their future together.

The Fairytale Theme

Every element of the ceremony reinforced the fairytale theme that Brittany had envisioned since childhood. From the castle setting to the elaborate floral arrangements, the wedding created an atmosphere of magic and romance that transported guests into a storybook setting.

Reception Style and Entertainment

The reception continued the fairytale theme while incorporating elements that reflected the couple’s personality and their guests’ expectations for a memorable celebration. The evening featured multiple entertainment options designed to keep guests engaged throughout the night.

Musical Entertainment

The reception began with a live band during cocktail hour, providing sophisticated background music that complemented the elegant castle setting. As the evening progressed, a DJ took over to ensure the dance floor remained packed with guests celebrating the newlyweds.

Culinary Experience

In a playful nod to the couple’s casual side, Hooters catering was featured alongside more traditional wedding fare. This choice reflected their personalities and provided comfort food that resonated with their friend group while maintaining the overall elegant atmosphere of the celebration.

Wedding Style Trends Inspired by Brittany’s Celebration

Brittany Cartwright’s wedding has influenced numerous bridal trends that continue to inspire couples planning their own celebrations. Her choices demonstrated how personal style can be translated into wedding elements that feel both current and timeless.

Transformative Wedding Dresses

The 3-in-1 dress concept has inspired a new category in bridal fashion. Modern brides increasingly seek gowns that can adapt to different parts of their wedding day, allowing them to look appropriate for each phase while maintaining their personal style. This trend acknowledges the practical reality of wedding days while refusing to compromise on fashion.

Destination Hometown Weddings

Brittany’s decision to bring her Hollywood friends to her Kentucky roots started a trend of “destination hometown weddings.” This concept involves couples choosing to celebrate in their hometown or a meaningful location, despite living elsewhere, creating opportunities for guests to experience new places while honoring personal history.

Reality TV Glamour

The wedding demonstrated how reality TV aesthetics could be translated into elegant celebration planning. The balance between camera-ready glamour and authentic personal moments has influenced how couples approach their own wedding photography and planning.

The Pre-Wedding Events: Building the Celebration

The wedding weekend extended beyond the main ceremony, with multiple events that built excitement and allowed for different types of celebration. These pre-wedding events have become a template for how to create a memorable wedding weekend experience.

The Great Gatsby Bridal Shower

Brittany’s Great Gatsby-themed bridal shower in Kentucky showcased her love for both glamour and her home state. This event allowed her to celebrate with local family and friends in a style that reflected her personality while building anticipation for the main event.

Joint Bachelor and Bachelorette Party

The couple’s decision to host a joint bachelor and bachelorette party with their Vanderpump Rules co-stars in Miami, Florida, reflected modern relationship dynamics where couples choose to celebrate together rather than separately. This approach has influenced many couples to reconsider traditional pre-wedding celebrations.

Wedding Planning Insights and Behind-the-Scenes Details

The wedding planning process was extensively documented on Vanderpump Rules, providing viewers with unprecedented insight into celebrity wedding planning. This transparency has influenced how couples approach their own planning while setting realistic expectations for the process.

Dress Shopping Experience

Brittany’s wedding dress shopping was featured on the show, though she strategically kept her final choice secret until the wedding day. This approach built anticipation while allowing her to maintain some privacy around her most important wedding decision.

Managing Relationships and Expectations

The planning process highlighted how couples navigate complex social dynamics when planning weddings involving large friend groups and professional relationships. Brittany and Jax’s approach provided real-world examples of how to balance different personalities and expectations while staying true to personal vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who designed Brittany Cartwright’s wedding dress?

A: Brittany’s custom wedding dress was designed by Netta BenShabu, featuring a unique 3-in-1 design that allowed for three different looks throughout her wedding day.

Q: Where did Brittany Cartwright get married?

A: The wedding took place at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky, on June 29, 2019, fulfilling Brittany’s childhood dream of a fairytale castle wedding.

Q: Who was in Brittany Cartwright’s wedding party?

A: Her bridesmaids included Vanderpump Rules co-stars Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Lala Kent, and Ariana Madix, with Katie Maloney-Schwartz as matron of honor.

Q: Who officiated Jax and Brittany’s wedding?

A: Former NSYNC member Lance Bass officiated the ceremony, adding a pop culture element to the fairytale celebration.

Q: What wedding trends did Brittany Cartwright inspire?

A: Her wedding popularized transformative wedding dresses, destination hometown weddings, and the integration of reality TV glamour with authentic personal celebrations.

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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