What Really Happened With Lena Dunham Wedding Photos

When the first lena dunham wedding photos hit the internet back in September 2021, the collective reaction was basically a mix of "wait, when did she get engaged?" and "is that Taylor Swift in a silver cupcake wrapper?"

It was a whirlwind. Seriously. Lena Dunham and her musician husband, Luis Felber (who performs as Attawalpa), had only been dating for about nine months. They met on a blind date in January, moved in together by spring, and were married at London’s Union Club by the end of September.

Honestly, the photos weren't just a gallery of a celebrity wedding; they were a total fashion fever dream. Lena went through three custom Christopher Kane gowns in a single night. Some people loved the kitschy, 1960s-doll aesthetic, while others... well, others were busy being "gnarly" on the internet.

The Three Dresses That Divided the Internet

Lena didn't just pick a dress. She picked a vibe—or three. Working with Christopher Kane, she leaned heavily into a "swinging sixties" look that felt very Sharon Tate.

The Ceremony Look
The first dress was a lace and satin mini. It had these massive bishop sleeves and a high neck. Kane reportedly told her she looked like she was at her first Communion or a Madame Alexander doll. She paired it with white opaque tights and Miu Miu kitten heels. It was quirky. It was short. It was very "Lena."

The "Weird" Mid-Reception Gown
Then came the change. The second gown was a long, cream satin piece. It featured split sleeves and jewel detailing that Lena herself described to Vogue as "both opulent and very weird." She topped this one with a glittering crown.

The Hand-Painted Finale
The third dress is the one you probably saw the most. It was a white silk A-line gown that Kane actually hand-painted with a portrait of Lena and Luis. He even signed the back of it like a piece of fine art. Lena called it a "giant, chic tent" that was perfect for dancing to the Afro-Cuban music they had playing.

Why the Photos Sparked Such a Backlash

It wouldn't be a Lena Dunham moment without some kind of internet firestorm. Shortly after the lena dunham wedding photos went viral, the comments sections turned toxic.

People started body-shaming her, comparing her wedding day appearance to her look during the Girls era. Lena didn't stay quiet. She hit back on Instagram, pointing out the irony of people comparing her current body to a version of herself that was actually struggling with active addiction and undiagnosed illness.

"When will we learn to stop equating thinness with health/happiness?" she asked. It was a fair point. Luis, for his part, told the New York Times he doesn't even recognize her in those old photos because he sees how "dimmed" her light was back then.

Those Famous Bridesmaids

You can’t talk about these photos without mentioning the silver-clad squad standing next to her. There were eight bridesmaids in total.

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• Taylor Swift: Yes, she was there. She wore a sparkly silver pleated dress that one bridesmaid described as looking like a "beautiful cupcake wrapper."
• Tommy Dorfman: The 13 Reasons Why actor also rocked the silver Christopher Kane aesthetic.
• Myha’la Herrold: The Industry star was part of the inner circle.
• Alissa Bennett: Lena’s podcast partner.

The bridesmaids didn't just show up for the ceremony. They were there for the whole London weekend. They actually wore gowns from The Vampire’s Wife while getting ready before switching into the "Go-Go girl" silver slips for the main event.

The Details You Might Have Missed

The wedding was small—only about 60 guests—partly because of the COVID-19 restrictions still lingering in 2021. But the symbolism was heavy.

They had a traditional Jewish ceremony under a chuppah. They did the circling ritual (three times each) and the breaking of the glass. Luis even did some "Spanish-accented Hebrew" that apparently had the whole room laughing.

The jewelry was just as personal. Lena’s engagement ring was an Incan Peruvian ring from the 1700s that belonged to Luis’s grandmother. Her mother, Laurie Simmons, gave her an amulet that was part of a pair of earrings she wore back in art school in Rome.

What This Means for You

If you're looking at lena dunham wedding photos for your own wedding inspiration, there are a few real-world takeaways you can actually use.

1. Don't Fear the Mini: If a floor-length gown feels like too much, a 60s-style mini dress is a valid, high-fashion alternative.
2. The "Third Dress" Strategy: You don't need three dresses, but having a "dancing dress" that feels like a "chic tent" (her words!) is a lifesaver for the reception.
3. Personalize the Rituals: You don't have to follow a religious script to the letter. Mixing languages or adding family heirlooms makes the ceremony feel less like a performance and more like a moment.

The biggest lesson from the Lena Dunham wedding saga? Wear what makes you feel like a "Madame Alexander doll" if that's what you want. The internet is going to talk anyway, so you might as well be comfortable in your own custom Christopher Kane.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Check out the archival Vogue spread photographed by Jonny Ruff for the high-res versions of the hand-painted portrait dress.
• If you're hunting for similar vibes, look into Christopher Kane’s ready-to-wear collections or Kelsey Randall (who did Lena’s rehearsal dinner look made of Amish lace tablecloths).
• Consider a "silver" theme for bridesmaids if you want to move away from the traditional pastels or navys.