The media was all over the wedding and made sure to be there every step of the way, starting with the bride’s $200,000 dress by John Galliano of the house of Christian Dior. The dress was designed with around 300 feet of Duchesse satin and beautifully embroidered. It took a reported 550 hours to complete.
The wedding dress featured over 1,500 hand-stitched crystal rhinestones and pearls, a 13-foot train, and a 16-foot veil. Melania paired the dress with even more extravagance; three diamond bracelets and a diamond necklace. Melania was later featured in “Vogue” with a 14-page spread of her $100,000 Christian Dior strapless gown.
Premium Guest List
The wedding of Melania Trump and Donald Trump was an extravagant affair, attracting a star-studded guest list that included numerous A-list celebrities. Notable attendees such as Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Rudy Giuliani, Heidi Klum, Star Jones, P. Diddy, then-Senator Hillary Clinton, and former president Bill Clinton added an air of glamour to the occasion. Renowned French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, known for his culinary excellence, catered the event with a sumptuous 5-star menu.
The feast featured indulgent delicacies such as caviar, steamed shrimp salad in champagne vinaigrette, and delectable lobster rolls. For the main course, guests were treated to succulent beef tenderloin. To complement the exquisite fare, Cristal champagne flowed freely throughout the night, ensuring the celebration was filled with joy and luxury. Undoubtedly, the 350 guests in attendance savored every delectable bite, creating a memorable culinary experience.
What About Entertainment?
The wedding celebration of Melania Trump and Donald Trump was graced with remarkable performances that added a touch of musical enchantment to the evening. Renowned singer-songwriter Billy Joel took the stage, serenading the couple and their guests with his timeless classic, "Just the Way You Are." Adding an extra special touch, Billy Joel even crafted a personalized rendition of "The Lady is a Tramp," incorporating new lyrics that playfully referenced Trump.
This unforgettable performance by the music legend elevated the ambiance and brought smiles to the faces of all in attendance. Melania's meticulous attention to detail also extended to the entertainment, as she arranged for the presence of The Michael Rose Orchestra of Palm Beach.
Becoming a Citizen
Melania became a U.S. citizen in 2006, one year after being married to Donald. She received U.S. citizenship on a visa that is allocated to immigrants with “extraordinary ability” and “sustained national and international acclaim.”
She stated, “I followed the law. I never thought of staying here without papers. I had a visa, I traveled every few months back to the country to Slovenia to stamp the visa. I came back, applied for a green card, and applied for citizenship after many years of green card. So I went by the system, I went by the law. And you should do that, you should not just say let me stay here, and whatever happens, happens.”
The Other Women
Melania Trump holds the distinction of being Donald Trump's third wife, having embarked on a successful career as a Slovenian American model before assuming the role of First Lady. Before Melania, Donald Trump married Czech model Ivana Zelníčková and actress Marla Maples. His first marriage to Ivana took place in 1977 at the Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan.
During their union, they welcomed three children into the world: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Ivana became a naturalized United States citizen in 1988, showcasing her commitment to her new home. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 1992 following Donald Trump's well-publicized affair with actress Marla Maples. Together, Donald and Marla had a daughter named Tiffany. The media extensively covered both of these high-profile divorces, further highlighting the complexities of Donald Trump's personal life.