Emma Roberts has never been one to follow convention—and her wedding dress was no exception. The American Horror Story star, 35, married fellow actor Cody John on July 25 in Sun Valley, Idaho, wearing a custom Monique Lhuillier gown that she intentionally designed to look like a “haunted doll.”
During an appearance on Kate and Oliver Hudson’s Sibling Revelry podcast on Tuesday, September 15, Roberts addressed the mixed reactions to her unconventional bridal look. “I said I wanted to look like haunted doll, which people thought was weird, but that was my vibe,” she said of the “vintage, lace, form fitting” ceremony gown. She continued, “It was tea dipped. I wanted to look like a ghost, which people also thought was weird. But, you know, I loved it. And I have no regrets.”
Emma Roberts Says She Has ‘No Regrets’ About Her Wedding Dress
Roberts‘ comments on Sibling Revelry were her first extended public remarks about the wedding dress since photos from the July ceremony circulated widely online. She was not responding to a specific backlash campaign or organized criticism, but rather to the general online discussion her unconventional look generated.
The actress made clear that the dress was exactly what she wanted. “The vibe was vintage, lace, form fitting,” she explained. “I wanted to look like a haunted doll, which people thought was weird, but that was my vibe.” She also confirmed the fabric was “tea dipped” to achieve the vintage off-white appearance. “I wanted to look like a ghost, which people also thought was weird, but I loved it. And I have no regrets.”
Why Emma Roberts Wanted a ‘Haunted Doll’ Wedding Dress
The inspiration for the dress came from Roberts’ personal interests rather than any attempt at shock value. In an interview with Vogue conducted during her final dress fitting, she explained: “I didn‘t really know what I wanted. I just knew that I wanted it to feel very vintage-inspired. I’m obsessed with antique books and treasure hunting, and I love collecting old ephemera, so I really wanted that to shine through in the dress.”
She added that she was hoping to look like “a little antique ghost doll.” Her cousin Charlotte Long noted at the fitting: “It feels very Emma. The first thing I thought was she looks like a doll—and she‘s obsessed with dolls. It’s very fitting for her.”
While Roberts has a well-known history with horror television through American Horror Story, neither she nor Lhuillier cited the show as direct inspiration for the dress. The “haunted doll” aesthetic was rooted in her love of antiques and vintage ephemera.
Emma Roberts‘ Custom Monique Lhuillier Wedding Gown
The dress was a custom creation by Monique Lhuillier, the renowned bridal and eveningwear designer known for her romantic, ethereal aesthetic. Lhuillier explained the design process in Vogue: “I decided to work with silk chiffon because we wanted to create a very ethereal, romantic and vintage-inspired gown.”
The gown required over 25 yards of silk chiffon dyed to a custom color Lhuillier named “Vintage Rose”—a nod to Emma’s middle name, Rose. Rather than a pure white, the fabric was “tea dipped” in ecru to create a tea-stained effect, giving the gown its ghostly, antique appearance.
The design featured an intricate corset with visible boning, a layered skirt with a slit for movement, and a draped bustle. A removable shawl accented with ecru French lace gave the gown an asymmetrical neckline and dramatic train. The ensemble also included a chapel-length silk tulle veil and a delicate lace voilette that covered the bride‘s eyes and could be pushed back to look like a lace headband.
When Roberts first tried on the complete ensemble, she exclaimed: “I feel like an elfin fairy.”
Emma Roberts’ Wedding Dress Took Months to Create
The creation of the gown was a significant undertaking. Lhuillier told Vogue: “This gown took nine months to make, and I would say it took close to 1000 hours to complete.”
Roberts worked closely with Lhuillier throughout the process, along with her stylists—and bridesmaids—sisters Brit and Kara Elkin. “It felt like three friends who would just sit and have fun and brainstorm and get creative and then create something together,” Kara said. Roberts added that “the synergy was so there.”
The gown was designed to be convertible, offering multiple looks throughout the evening. “The beauty of this dress is it keeps transforming throughout the night,” Lhuillier noted. “There‘s five looks in the dress.”
Emma Roberts and Cody John’s 2026 Wedding
Emma Roberts and Cody John married on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in an outdoor ceremony at John‘s family home in Sun Valley, Idaho. The celebration was attended by approximately 200 guests, including Roberts’ aunt, Julia Roberts, and her husband Danny Moder, as well as friends like Billie Lourd, Sarah Paulson, Kristen Stewart, and Ashley Benson.
Roberts‘ 5-year-old son, Rhodes, whom she shares with ex-partner Garrett Hedlund, walked her down the aisle. The groom wore a custom espresso-colored Ferragamo suit.
“It was so amazing,” Roberts said of the wedding. “It was at his family’s house in the backyard. We put up a tent and had the time of our lives.” She added, “It really was one of the best nights of my whole life.”
Who Is Cody John, Emma Roberts’ Husband?
Cody John is an actor who has built a steady television and film career while maintaining a relatively private profile. He graduated from UCLA‘s theatre arts program and has appeared in series including Wu-Tang: An American Saga, In the Dark, The Rookie, and NCIS.
John and Roberts met through mutual friends in 2022 and made their relationship Instagram official in August of that year. They became engaged in July 2024. Roberts announced the engagement with a selfie showing off her ring, captioned: “Putting this here before my mom tells everyone.”
Emma Roberts‘ After-Party Wedding Look
For the reception and after-party, Roberts changed into a second Monique Lhuillier creation—a black two-piece from the designer’s archives. Lhuillier described the look as a “boudoir saloon” aesthetic, featuring a bespoke Chantilly lace strapless corset and a silk organza ruffled skirt.
“I love the idea of wearing black for the after-party,” Roberts told Vogue. “We love doing something that‘s a little unexpected.” The designer noted that the archival piece “looks like it could be totally vintage from 100 years ago, or from now.”
The contrast between the ethereal, ghostly ceremony gown and the edgy black after-party look reflected Roberts’ approach to her bridal wardrobe: personal, unexpected, and entirely her own.
Fact vs. Opinion: What We Know About Emma Roberts’ Wedding Dress
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Emma Roberts married Cody John | Confirmed—July 25, 2026, in Sun Valley, Idaho |
| Roberts wore a Monique Lhuillier gown | Confirmed—custom design |
| The gown was custom-made | Confirmed |
| Roberts described the aesthetic as a “haunted doll” | Confirmed—her own words on Sibling Revelry podcast |
| Roberts said she had “no regrets” | Confirmed—her own words |
| The dress was objectively “weird” | Subjective—Roberts herself used the word to describe reactions she anticipated |
| Everyone disliked the gown | Not supported—no evidence of universal criticism |
| The dress was inspired by American Horror Story | Not confirmed—Roberts cited antique books and ephemera as inspiration |
| The gown took nine months to create | Confirmed by Monique Lhuillier |
| The gown took approximately 1,000 hours to create | Confirmed by Monique Lhuillier |
Frequently Asked Questions
What wedding dress did Emma Roberts wear?
Emma Roberts wore a custom Monique Lhuillier gown in silk chiffon, dyed to a custom “Vintage Rose” color for a tea-stained, vintage effect. The gown featured an intricate corset, a removable lace shawl, and a chapel-length veil.
Who designed Emma Roberts’ wedding dress?
The dress was designed by Monique Lhuillier, the renowned bridal and eveningwear designer.
Why did Emma Roberts call her wedding dress a “haunted doll” look?
Roberts said she wanted to look like a “haunted doll” and a “ghost” because she loves antique books, treasure hunting, and collecting old ephemera. She wanted that vintage, ethereal aesthetic to shine through in her wedding look.
What did Emma Roberts say about criticism of her wedding dress?
Roberts acknowledged that people thought her vision was “weird” but said it was exactly what she wanted. “I loved it,” she said. “And I have no regrets.”
Did Emma Roberts say she regrets her wedding dress?
No. Roberts explicitly said she has “no regrets” about her unconventional wedding dress choice.
Who is Emma Roberts married to?
Emma Roberts is married to Cody John, an actor known for roles in Wu-Tang: An American Saga, In the Dark, The Rookie, and NCIS.
When did Emma Roberts marry Cody John?
They married on July 25, 2026.
Where did Emma Roberts and Cody John get married?
The ceremony took place at Cody John‘s family home in Sun Valley, Idaho.
How long did Emma Roberts’ wedding dress take to make?
Monique Lhuillier confirmed the gown took nine months to make and approximately 1,000 hours to complete.
What is Monique Lhuillier known for?
Monique Lhuillier is a fashion designer known for her romantic, ethereal bridal and eveningwear designs. She has dressed numerous celebrities for weddings and red carpet events.
Does Emma Roberts have a connection to gothic fashion?
Roberts has a well-known association with horror through her roles in American Horror Story. Her wedding dress aesthetic—vintage, tea-stained, and inspired by antique dolls—reflects a personal interest in vintage and gothic-adjacent styles, though she cited antiques and ephemera as direct inspiration rather than horror media.
Is gothic bridal fashion trending in 2026?
Unconventional bridal looks, including vintage-inspired, tea-stained, and darker-colored gowns, have been increasingly visible in celebrity weddings. Roberts‘ choice reflects a broader trend toward personal expression in bridal fashion rather than strict tradition.
Did Emma Roberts wear a second wedding dress?
Yes. For the after-party, Roberts changed into a black two-piece Monique Lhuillier creation from the designer‘s archives, featuring a strapless Chantilly lace corset and silk organza ruffled skirt. She described the vibe as “boudoir saloon.”
What is Emma Roberts best known for?
Emma Roberts is known for her roles in American Horror Story, Scream Queens, We‘re the Millers, Nerve, and Maybe I Do. She is also the niece of Julia Roberts.