In pictures: Royal wedding dresses from around the world

A royal wedding isn't just a union between two people and their families.

It's a national (and sometimes international) affair that attracts throngs of well-wishers, close media attention, and high-profile guests all hoping to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.

Simple, white wedding dresses are traditional in some countries, perhaps with a bit of lace or beading to add to the design. Other royal brides celebrate with bright, festive colors, rich embroidery, and precious stones the size of eggs.

Here's what royal brides from around the world wore on their wedding day.

Princess Claire of Luxembourg wore a wedding gown by designer Elie Saab.

Princess Claire Of Luxembourg and Prince Felix Of Luxembourg | Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Princess Sofia of Sweden chose a lacy dress by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 13: Prince Carl Philip of Sweden is seen with his new wife Princess Sofia of Sweden after their marriage ceremony at The Royal Palace on June 13, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Princess Charlene of Monaco's simple Armani gown was embellished with subtle embroidery.

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends her religious ceremony of the Royal Wedding to husband Prince Albert II of Monacoin 2011 | Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Journalist Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein married the Prince of Belgium in Valentino.

ROME, ITALY - JULY 05: Prince Amedeo of Belgium and Princess Elisabetta Maria Rosboch von Wolkenstein celebrate after their wedding ceremony at Basilica Santa Maria in Trastevere on July 5, 2014 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images

Two billion people tuned in to watch Kate Middleton marry Prince William in a now-famous Alexander McQueen dress.

Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Photo Getty images

Bhutan's "Dragon Queen" Jetsun Pema was a commoner before marrying King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in a traditional Buddhist ceremony.

His majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 31, holds his Raven crown as he and the Queen Jetsun Pema, 21, walk out after their marriage ceremony is completed on October 13, 2011 in Punakha, Bhutan. Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Princess Tatiana Blatnik of Greece wore a dress by Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez.

Tatiana Blatnik and her father Atilio Brillembourg arrive at the Cathedral of Ayios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) for her wedding to Prince Nikolaos of Greece on August 25, 2010 in Spetses, Greece. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The youngest daughter of Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess Nathalie's gown was created by Danish designer Henrik Hviid.

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and husband Alexander Johannsmann for their wedding on June 18, 2011 in Bad Berleburg, Germany. Photo by Karl Anton Koenigs-Pool/Getty Images

Viktoria Cservenyak, a former lawyer and writer, chose a dress by another Danish designer named Claes Iversen when she married Prince Jamie of the Netherlands.

Viktoria Cservenyak arrives for her wedding with Prince Jaime de Bourbon Parme at The Church Of Our Lady At Ascension on October 5, 2013 in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Photo by Michel Porro/Getty Images

Princess Noor of Jordan was radiant in a beaded wedding dress, though the couple divorced in 2009.

Crown Prince Hamzeh of Jordan (24 )and his bride Princess Noor (22) smile during their wedding celebrations held May 27, 2004 in Amman, Jordan. Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images

Morocco's Princess Lalla Salma, who worked as an engineer before taking the title, broke the tradition of keeping royal wives hidden when she married King Mohamed VI.

King Mohamed VI of Morocco sits with his wife Princess Lalla Salma at the royal palace July 13, 2002 in Rabat, Morocco. Photo courtesy Moroccan Government/Getty Images

Indonesia's Prince Notonegoro and Princess Hayu were friends when they were younger, and dated for 10 years before marrying in a three-day-long wedding celebration.

KPH Notonegoro and Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hayu in Bangsal Kesatriyan at Kraton Palace during the Royal Wedding Held For Sultan Hamengkubuwono X's Daughter Gusti Ratu Kanjeng Hayu And KPH Notonegoro on October 22, 2013 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images

Sayako Kuroda gave up her royal title as Princess of Japan to marry Yoshiyuki Kuroda in a plain, A-line dress and white gloves.

Japan's Princess Sayako arrives with her fiance Yoshiyuki Kuroda (not pictured) to a room for their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Issei Kato-Pool/Getty Images