Celebrity Celebrity Weddings Celebrity Wedding Dresses All About Céline Dion's Over-the-Top Wedding Dress and Crystal Headpiece (Which Weighed Over 6 Pounds!) Céline Dion married her manager René Angélil in 1994, wearing a silk ballgown with crystal embellishments By Ariana Quihuiz Ariana Quihuiz Ariana Quihuiz is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work has also appeared in Brides. People Editorial Guidelines Published on August 11, 2024 11:00AM EDT Close Celine Dion and Rene Angelil on their wedding day on December 17, 1994. Photo: Michel PONOMAREFF/PONOPRESSE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Céline Dion made a style statement with her wedding gown. The “My Heart Will Go On” singer met her late husband René Angélil in 1980 when she sang for him in an audition. He became her manager, and the two worked together for seven years before they started dating in 1987. The couple initially kept their relationship out of the spotlight because of their 26-year age difference, and it remained a secret until one year before their wedding. On Dec. 17, 1994, Dion and Angélil tied the knot at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal. The extravagant nuptials were broadcast live on television in Canada, where viewers watched Dion walk down the aisle in a silk Mirella and Steve Gentile gown covered in crystal embellishments. She accessorized with a now-iconic headpiece that was made of Swarovski crystals. During an interview with Vogue in April 2024, Dion opened up about her big day, telling the outlet that she wouldn't change a thing about the lavish celebration. “This is a moment that will be with me for the rest of my life,” she said. “The dress couldn’t have been big enough. I could’ve had three times the size on my head. I could’ve had six different dresses that night because he [Angélil] was, and still is, such a wonderful human being. He brought [out] the best in me. He really did.” From the design to her iconic accessories, here’s everything to know about Céline Dion’s wedding dress. Dion’s wedding dress was designed by Mirella and Steve Gentile Celine Dion and husband Rene Angelil on December 17, 1994. Laurence Labat/Sygma/Getty Mirella and Steve Gentile designed Dion’s voluminous ballgown. The long-sleeve creation was made of French silk and lace and featured a sweetheart neckline and sequined embroidery. It featured lace sleeves and a 20-foot train Celine Dion during her wedding ceremony to Rene Angelil on December 17, 1994. Laurence Labat/Sygma/Getty The ballgown skirt was accentuated by a fitted waist and a sweetheart neckline, which flowed into stunning lace sleeves. A dramatic 20-foot train that rivaled the one on Princess Diana’s wedding dress completed the fairytale bridal look. Speaking with the press after her wedding, Dion said that she had a specific vision for her gown. “I wanted a girl’s dress. I wanted a princess dress like we dream in our dreams,” she said in French. “Well, I’m paying the price today because I tell you it’s not easy to ... move with that, and it’s very heavy too, but I don’t regret it. It’s once in my life, and I’m very happy.” The silk gown took over 1,000 hours to create Celine Dion during her wedding to Rene Angelil on December 17, 1994. PONOPRESSE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Dion’s wedding gown was also covered in hand-sewn crystal and pearl embellishments. Her sleeves and bodice were fully embellished, while her skirt was trimmed with the beading. The intricate detailing would have taken over 1,000 hours to complete, per Vogue France. She accessorized with a crystal tiara and veil Celine Dion and Rene Angelil on their wedding day on December 17, 1994. PONOPRESSE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Dion’s bridal accessories were just as iconic as her wedding gown. She completed her look with an ornate tiara made of 2,000 Swarovski crystals and a long white veil. Speaking with Vogue in April 2024, the singer revealed that she had to be “sewn” into the tiara and thought she would be able to “manage the weight.” “I practiced and everything is smooth and everything is fine, but when I had to walk in the cathedral, it's no wooden floor, it's a carpet. I had an immediate facelift,” she said. “And it's like, ‘Am I going to make it? Am I going to make it to my future husband? But like I said, ‘Oh, I’m Gonna Run to You.’ I did.” Dion also shared with the outlet that after removing the tiara, she discovered that the headpiece, which weighed over 6 pounds, had caused a head injury. “When we removed the tiara, I had a cut because the pressure was too much,” she said. “The next day, I wake up I look at myself in the mirror, I have a bump the size of an egg in the middle of my forehead ... I had to be on antibiotics for about three weeks.” She arrived at the basilica in a white fur coat Celine Dion and husband Rene Angelil leave their wedding ceremony on December 17, 1994. Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press/AP Tying the knot in the middle of a Canadian winter called for some additional accessories. Dion wore a cropped white fur coat when she arrived at the basilica. She also carried a bouquet of white flowers that was covered in tulle.