When you're marrying a prince [1], the pressure is on to find a wedding gown that's royally appropriate but still fashionable. Think modest [2] with a twist. Franziska Balzer most likely kept this in mind when she married Prince Maximilian zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg of Germany. The bride chose a cream-colored gown with a sheer lace bodice that might have been revealing by a royal's standard [3], but Franziska made one smart decision: she decided to pair a matching three-quarter-sleeved blazer with her floor-grazing ensemble, keeping her shoulders and arms covered.
This understated addition is the element of elegance we've come to expect from princesses like Kate Middleton, who wore a lace-sleeved gown to her own ceremony [4]. Franziska found the perfect marriage between sexy and tasteful with her ladylike cover-up, and it's a trick all brides can borrow for their big day. Read on to see how she pulled off the look, then shop similar bridal accessories [5] in our ultimate wedding guide.
