The weddings we’re still talking about

0:21Welcome back to Stylish, your podcast for all things fashion, lifestyle, brand, and beauty. My name is Naima Fatima. I'm Shameless Media's head of social and one of Stylish's co-hosts. Today for our second winter mini, it's a topic that we and you can't get enough of, weddings. We're revisiting some of our biggest and most talked about wedding moments that we've covered on the pod. We'll put the links to each full episode in the show notes, but for now, let's get into it. First up, we've got a wedding controversy that divided the internet. Daniel Bernstein told guests exactly what to wear to her engagement party, complete with shoppable links.

0:58So Danielle Bernstein is an American influencer and she's the founder of WeWoreWhat, if you're not familiar with her already. But she has the internet divided thanks to her engagement party dress. But this isn't the first time that she has created a little bit of a stir online. Actually, I would say that the engagement party dress is the least for worries, given the conversation we're about to have. But off the back of the engagement party dress discourse, the cut published an article last week about Danielle's engagement party plans that sparked conversation when she created a TikTok about it in September last year.

1:29So in the video, she said she wanted to try something a little bit different for her engagement party. She said, I actually curated shoppable links to dresses that were so perfect for our theme and dress code to make it easier for my guests. The cut said about this video, the idea supposedly was that her guests could save time by following the recommendations if they happened to be in the market for DB approved cocktail attire. Once a guest bought one of the dresses, they would be removed from the registry to avoid any matching moments. She captioned the post, did the shopping for my guests if anyone wants something new.

1:59Should I share the curation publicly? Commenters were unsurprisingly pretty critical of Danielle's idea, commenting things like, God forbid someone wears something they already own. And did you profit off affiliate links too? From there, the controversy only escalated with prominent TikTok creators weighing in on it and several like fashion TikToker Masa Marjo wondering why Danielle had assumed her guest sizes, budgets and tastes. What do we make from this move to create a curated shoppable list of outfits for your guests? So I'm just not impressed. I find... Can I jump in for you? Jump in for me.

2:36I know exactly why Rhi's hesitating here and it's because wedding culture is getting bigger than Ben-Hur. And I think where the hesitation comes from is we all know someone in our life who has taken on wedding and let it become their entire personality and are curating it to the point that it's a production, not a celebration of a marriage. Yeah. And look, the reason why I always come to this conversation and I have hesitations, if I'm fully honest, is because as someone who recently got married, I also have bought into wedding culture in some capacity. However, I do feel like I've had very clear boundaries around what I would be willing to let people in on.

3:14And with this follow-up article and this follow-up conversation around Danielle Bernstein, it doesn't feel like it's about the couple and the love in the room. For me, it's about being a production, as you said, Matt, that this wedding is an opportunity to create clout, create a revenue stream as well. And coming back to the point in the article, and I guess the main controversy surrounding this TikTok video, is the fact that she curated this edit for her guests. I do think it's a way to try and control the aesthetic under the guise of being helpful. 1000%. She has dressed this up as helpful when it is curation and control.

3:52Devil's advocate though. Sure. We don't know Danielle personally. No. No. So she very much could be a very kind-hearted, sweet, helpful person. I'm sure she is. And we're just seeing straight through that and going, oh, she doesn't trust her guest style and she wants them to look a specific way and meet her standards of dress for her event. Can I reverse this back on like in this debate as well? I think there's an element of that and also not even just her own expectations, but perhaps the pressure she feels externally. Absolutely. I'm not saying Danielle's like sitting in an ivory tower, you know, cackling like an evil witch being like, everyone must wear what I want.

4:29Like, I think she's probably just feeling the external pressure of like, there's articles on The Cut about my engagement ring, about the carrot size, about the influencer sphere and what we're all wearing and what we're doing and who's having beer weddings. For sure. I feel like it could be a combination of those things, but at the end of the day, I still think it's odd. The assumption is that a lot of these links were affiliate links as well. So are you also profiting off your friends' purchases? Well, that's what I'm really curious to know. Is it actually affiliate links? Because that really changes this conversation.

4:57My understanding of someone referring to something as a shoppable link is that it is an affiliate link. You get a kickback. Is that correct? Yes. I take that assumption. I have the same assumption. Part of me then went into this like conspiracy theory hole. And I want to be really clear, my own personal conspiracy theory hole. She's got a tinfoil hat on. Where I was like, I know, 5Js, you know, the towel is talking to me. I went into this hole where I was like, wait, did she even ever really send this list? Or was this just a way to have her followers be like, yes, I want to access the link? Like, did her friends ever even really shop it?

5:29And this was more about her community wanting to know where, oh, like, what have you recommended? What have you found? I don't think I would feel comfortable dictating what my guests wear or making them feel pressure to wear a certain thing. Dress code is enough. Would I necessarily want to see a shoppable link? Would I necessarily want, I mean, actually, no, if I was going to buy a dress, I'd rather my friend make some cash out of it. If it was one of my best mates, I probably would support them. I mean, for any event, it can be expensive to buy a dress. I would hope that there was a range of high and low options available.

6:03But the main piece for me is, was that transparent? Because also the assumption that every single person knows what an affiliate link is, is misguided. And also, we don't know if there was a range of styles. We don't know if there was a range of price points. Because how can you assume that every single dress you choose that is obviously your taste is going to be suitable for someone that is not your size? Yeah, I just, this made me feel icky. I can't lie. Next up, the billionaire's wedding that lasted months, featured luxury cruises, pop star performances and some seriously expansive guest lists.

6:36This has been all over our TikTok feeds, the extravagant Ambani wedding. The cut reports it to be the wedding of the year. 29-year-old Anant Ambani, the son of billionaire Mokesh Ambani and wife Radhika Merchant, held their official wedding in Mumbai. Before we get into all the wedding details, let's do a quick background of the Ambani family because Annika and I did not know a lot about them. Forbes estimates Mukesh Ambani, the father of the groom, to be Asia's richest man with a net worth of$124 billion. Billion with a B. I'd be happy with just like the four bill part. So the family runs Business Reliance Industries, which according to the BBC is an oil to telecoms conglomerate that was founded by Mukesh Ambani's father.

7:22And that in recent years, Reliance has brought in some of the world's most celebrated luxury brands to India, from Valentino to Versace and Burberry to Bottega. And the business also works in the entertainment industry. What can't they do? Back to the wedding, the celebrations have been playing out for months. In March, the family held a three-day pre-wedding event, a Hastakasha. Billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates made the guest list and Rihanna was flown in and reportedly paid$6 million for her surprise performance, the bride Radhika wore a custom Versace gown. I have to admit, I had no idea who the Ambani's were prior to Riri's performance.

7:59And then I kind of forgot. And then it came back again with like the Biebs. But it's kind of crazy, like how extravagant and opulent these events are getting. Like this wedding is on a whole other level in a different hemisphere on another planet kind of outlandish. Couldn't agree more. 100%. Well, if you missed any of it in May, the celebrations continued with a$150 million cruise through the Mediterranean, as you do. Vogue reported that for the bride Radhika, it was a retreat for the people who have contributed to our lives in different ways and that there were more guest performances with Katy Perry, Pitbull and the Backstreet Boys on board.

8:35It's honestly giving Metcalf a vibe to me. It really is. And earlier this month, Justin Bieber was reportedly paid$10 million to fly in and perform at their Sandgate ceremony, a pre-wedding festival. But back to last weekend when they officially tied the knot, the wedding ceremony went for four days and was attended by 14 ,000 people. It's wild. It shut down the streets of Mumbai and the bride Radhika wore a gold Dolce & Gabbana corset with a constructed sari. The Guardian estimated that the wedding cost$600 million. Well, former UK PM Boris Johnson was there, Victoria and David Beckham, who we were just talking about, Khloe and Kim Kardashian, in case you missed all of their posts.

9:15They were a few of the big names who appeared at last week's event. I feel like it's almost easy to ask, like, who wasn't there? Like, this event definitely catered to, like, the who's who, and I feel like it was kind of, like, a huge flex of wealth and power and just showing, like, how important, I guess, the Ambani family is and, like, a symbol of status. This is a huge power move. This is essentially the equivalent of a Met Gala. I mean, obviously there's a marriage, and I can't imagine we've ever had a Met Gala wedding. But the names here, like you've got 14 ,000 people there. You're not chatting to all of these people.

9:46This is a display of we know these people, we're connected with these people, they need us, we need them. Are they connected with all these people though? That's what I want to know. Like if Justin Bieber's been paid that amount of money to perform, have Kim and Khloe also been paid just to attend? I mean, speaking of Kim, she's posted her outfits all over Instagram. Her first one, it was a pretty iconic caption for those who are maybe longtime Kardashian fans was Kim and Khloe take India. So she went with her sister. They've shared nine posts to Instagram since attending the event. And she has copped it.

10:17She wore red to an Indian wedding. Page Six reported that followers took to her original post and commented, not supposed to wear red to a wedding in India. That's reserved for the bride. Wearing red to an Indian wedding is diabolical. Oh my gosh. I literally, my mum and I were talking about this and my mum was like, outraged. Like wearing red to an Indian wedding is like the biggest no-no. It would be like me showing up to your guys' wedding in like a white gown. Like, no, do not do it. I'm willing to bet even with$14 ,000. Kim might have stood out in that one. Just a touch. I think they got paid to be there.

10:50I agree. Like I honestly, I'm trying to figure it out. And I saw on TikTok, the invites alone or something cost like$9 ,000 or$10 ,000 to make. Like, what will you pay to have the most elite people in the same room as you at your wedding? Or Kim's looking for an investor to leapfrog Skims into India. And if they're bringing in the takers of the world and whatnot, maybe. The marketing mind is working overtime.

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12:23Then who could forget Madeleine White's wedding that took TikTok by storm and sparked speculations about the Vogue wedding curse. TikToker Madeleine White's wedding has everyone talking. It's the wedding that you've likely seen all across your TikTok and Instagram feeds. But fashion TikToker Madeleine White got married last week and it was everywhere. In large parts, thanks to the coverage on Vogue weddings and all the discussion her dress choices sparked, She's known for DIYing her own outfits and has been documenting her wedding planning journey, including taking her viewers through her potential dresses, which explains why everyone was so hyped up to see the finished product.

13:03She brought her DIY pension into her wedding too. She actually DIYed her bridesmaid dresses. So impressive. I thought it was so impressive. They were beautiful dresses too. In total, she showcased four wedding looks, but while commenters adored the bridesmaid dresses, They were divided about her actual wedding dress. One commenter wrote, she tried on all those beautiful gowns, dot, dot, dot, and the comment got 7 ,000 likes, which is kind of snarky. I just don't get it. Like, what is it about weddings and bridal fashion that brings like such a open platform for negative commentary? I thought it was very her.

13:40I totally agree. You're so right though, Annika. there's something about a wedding dress that becomes an open slather for a make or break decision of whether someone has style or not. Yeah, I don't get it. Her dress was very unique. Do we feel like there is a move away from that cookie cutter wedding formula that we've come to see? Yeah. I think it's all about accessorising now to make your look look very different. Yeah. I kind of feel like there's a bit of pressure around the amount of looks people are doing now. Yes. And that's making me feel a little bit, yeah. I'm like, I can't afford four different dresses for this one event.

14:18Is there a number you think is too many? Probably four. That's a lot. Four is a lot. And then if you're thinking about how long her event is as well, like she had like the welcome dinner and then all of the like other events leading up. So many looks, so many events. Like I would love to know how much she spent on her wardrobing. But I feel like there is such excessiveness and elaborateness that comes with all of these like high profile weddings as well. But I think something that she really stuck to was like the overall theme. Like it was very whimsical. I loved the flower crown. It was very cute.

14:50Yeah. I think it just tied into her whole look. Like it's not something I would ever personally wear on my wedding day, but I just thought it looked so beautiful on her and it just was very her. Yeah. Yeah. And we had the Vogue collaboration as well, which I thought was genius because I feel like she cut a good check for that. So get that bread, girl. How do we feel about the Vogue to divorce pipeline that goes around on TikTok? There looks to be quite the trend. I really hope that's not the case. Oh, no. Madeline, wish you a lifetime of happiness. You know, having been there, done that myself, would hope that you don't have to, my girl.

15:27Not a Vogue bride, though. But I would say that it's hard to deny that there is a pipeline for Vogue bride to divorce. maybe it is the pressure of these grand weddings and yeah do you think that people have a habit of getting caught up in the wedding and not the marriage yeah I cannot imagine being under that kind of spotlight and pressure and what kind of monsters could be created brides grooms you know families and it's a stressful time I can't imagine adding vogue to that yeah to loop back to Madeline's wedding for a second, we've never really had this kind of insight into people's weddings and rich people at that.

16:06Obviously, you know, she would make good money and it's clear by the amount of money that has been spent on that wedding. And prior to this era, we wouldn't have seen the detail of these weddings 10 years ago, even. Like celebrity weddings, you might've seen a feature in Vogue and that's all you would see. You wouldn't see all the behind the scenes, all of the additional content that gets shared with us now that gives you the peek inside these events and how extravagant and beautiful and amazing they are. But does consuming this stuff also make other people feel the pressure, like regular people feel the pressure to have these extravagant events and spend more money and have more dresses and all of these things?

16:44Because I feel the pressure a little bit looking at this stuff and I'm like, should I be doing this extra thing at the wedding? So it's like a bit more to talk about. I don't know, but I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money. Without question, people feel that pressure. I also feel like it doesn't help that people are creating social profiles for themselves off the back of their wedding. It's almost like people are using it as a vessel of investment to start their own personal profiles. And that's a lot of pressure on your wedding and your marriage as well. Literally like the PR moment becomes the focus rather than the nuptials and the actual meaning of the wedding itself.

17:21And I think that just ties right back into that Vogue theory of it being the more elaborate and opulent the wedding then the faster the pipeline to divorce and it's just such a wild trend It's so wild but it also makes me think now with Anna Wintour handing over the baton does that mean maybe the curse will break? Maybe Yeah, maybe Guys, in case you missed it Shameless Media moved offices recently and our new content studio has been styled to perfection in collaboration with RJ Living and if I say so myself as the resident interior designer I am very happy because they've injected the space with their distinctive style, unique pieces that really bring a considered and elevated vibe.

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18:26Last but definitely not least, one of the most talked about weddings this century, the lavish Bezos-Sanchez wedding in Venice. We've got to talk about the Bezos wedding, don't we? So many looks. So many looks. So many choices. So many opinions. Yeah. What did you both make of the affair? Look, it was extravagant, that's for sure. Yeah. No amount of money spared, I would say. I just don't think quiet luxury was anywhere to be seen there. No. It was, I think, probably the largest display of diamonds I've seen in a very long time. Yeah. Thoughts on the carpet, on the floor, in the ceremony. It was a lot.

19:09Would you have gone a hardwood if it had been you? I probably just would have left the grass, to be honest. Yeah. I think looks wise, it was more conservative than I anticipated from her as her wedding dress. I've got to agree on this. Yeah. And I was surprised it was Dolce & Gabbana because the Schiaparelli welcome look, I thought might have been alluding to a Schiaparelli custom moment for the wedding. Who did we love and who did we maybe think could have done a little bit better of the guests? I loved Sydney Sweeney's looks. She had a pink strapless number that I think she wore to the actual wedding.

19:43And then for one of the other events, she had a nice like beautiful floral pattern moment. Kendall's Roberto Cavalli floral moment I thought was really cute as well. Absolutely loved that. Oprah actually had some looks. She actually served. Yeah, she actually had some really good looks. I don't know who's styling her or if she styled herself, but honestly, compared to some of the other ones I saw, I was like, go off, Oprah. Yeah, I think there was a chocolate dress she wore that I quite liked. And it had like feathery sleeves. Yeah, I don't know. I loved the pink for the actual numbshills. I didn't hate it.

20:13It was giving a little bit like trying to be a bridesmaid. Okay. Not fair. Yeah, but you know. Fair feedback. I do have to say it is currently Paris Fashion Week and I feel like I was expecting to see some more runway kind of looks and trends, but a lot of the looks I saw from the guests were just, I think there's showstopper and I think there's like, you know, obviously we're expecting some world-class looks at this wedding, but the The Kardashians as a whole, I felt really let down by. Yes. They were just, I think, a little bit too lingerie-y for a wedding. I think Kendall and Kylie did all right.

20:45The Jenners did okay. Yeah. We've got to give the Jenners credit, but I think the Kardashians for me, our... Kylie was orbiting a little too close to white for me for her wedding guest dress. I feel that. It's fascinating to me. There was a New York Times article on this, and I want to read some of the quotes, so bear with me because I think they're really interesting. Yeah. It says, not so long ago, members of high society were fixated on trying to low key their way out of the perils of income inequality. Minimalism and quiet luxury were in vogue. But in the wake of President Trump's second election, it's the luxe life at full volume.

21:18I do not think a single guest was trying to hide their wealth. Like the jewels and things on display, like this was maximalist fashion. Yeah. Yeah. We were dripping, like dripping and billionaires, dripping and wealth, dropping and diamond. It's now the largest scale wedding we've seen since the Anne Barney wedding, which we saw last year and spoke about as well. But this was a real display of more is more is more. I don't recall thinking guests there were like done to the nines aside from again the Kardashians. I don't know how they're getting all these call ups, but go off sis. Like they're clearly on the top of the guest list.

21:53And that's it for this week's episode of Stylish. Make sure you follow us on socials, subscribe to our weekly newsletter and drop us a review. Thanks to the team, Lucy Hunt and Zoe Tudell. We're back to regular programming next week. So see you on Wednesday.

22:15This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. Hello, my name's Ruby Hall. I'm the producer of Shameless Media's show everybody has a secret and we are preparing to go on our live tour next year in 2027 we'll be heading over to Perth on February 25 and tickets are selling fast so I'm popping up to let you know that if you want to come and see Annabelle and Charlotte and have a lot of fun with us over the Perth summer make sure you head to our Instagram at ehaspodcast and click the link in our bio to buy tickets and yeah hopefully we'll see you next year at ehas live in 2027.