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The Sentimental Story Behind Camila Alves McConaughey’s Wedding Dress

06/14/2012 at 12:00 PM ET

Matthew McConaughey Wedding PhotoChristopher Polk/Getty

When it came to finding the perfect wedding gown, Camila Alves McConaughey knew exactly where to turn. Chanel? Nah. Vera Wang or Monique Lhuillier? Nope.

Instead, the bride asked Brazilian dress designer Ducarmo Castelo Branco, a 78-year-old family friend, to craft a gown for her June 9 nuptials to Matthew McConaughey.

“Ducarmo has been making wedding dresses for her entire life,” says Alves, who has known the designer since she was a young girl growing up in Brazil. “I guess you can say she has been planning this design for over 20 years.”

Branco worked on the project with a group of eight local women, and Alves’s faith in that team’s vision of a dream dress — a delicate beaded lace gown — never wavered. “I went to Brazil for a day and a half to work on the dress,” the bride tells PEOPLE. “I left and I just had to trust them. They finished the dress 22 days later.”

For Matthew and Camila’s exclusive wedding album — and to see the dress up close — pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

–Elizabeth Leonard

WANT MORE CELEBRITY WEDDING EYE CANDY? CLICK HERE!

To get a sneak peek of this week’s issue click here

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Showing 74 comments

Camila Alves’s Wedding Dress: See 20 Variations (You Can Buy!) | Wedding Photographer Orlando on

[...] gown (Kate Middleton, anyone?) to wed actor Matthew McConaughey at their home in Texas. Alves told People she first met her dress designer, 78-year-old Ducarmo Catelo Branco, as a young girl in her native [...]

Camila Alves’s Wedding Dress: See 20 Variations (You Can Buy!) : Ossai Bridal Accessories on

[...] gown (Kate Middleton, anyone?) to wed actor Matthew McConaughey at their home in Texas. Alves told People she first met her dress designer, 78-year-old Ducarmo Catelo Branco, as a young girl in her native [...]

Camila Alves’s Wedding Dress: See 20 Variations (You Can Buy!) | Wedding Planning News on

[...] gown (Kate Middleton, anyone?) to wed actor Matthew McConaughey at their home in Texas. Alves told People she first met her dress designer, 78-year-old Ducarmo Catelo Branco, as a young girl in her native [...]

Amanda K on

This is the most beautiful wedding dress I’ve seen in a long time. Just stunning really.

Guest on

Those foreheadbands (as I call them lol) look dumb on absolutely everyone, but it could be a cultural tradition in Brazil *shrug* It was her wedding and if she felt beautiful, that’s what matters. The dress is lovely.

Mel on

Wow, that is one beautiful dress! It’s so original. They both look stunning and so, so happy together.

Victoria on

It’s about time he married his baby mama! I was afraid she was going to have to get pregnant a few more times before she got him to altar! LOL

Wedding Planning Diary » Blog Archive » Camila Alves’s Wedding Dress: See 20 Variations (You Can Buy!) on

[...] at their home in Texas. Alves told People she first met her dress designer, 78-year-old Ducarmo [...]

Fan on

Met him one time at a film site. He is wonderful, gracious and took a lot of his lunch break to stand and sign autographs. Just as beautiful in person as in pictures. I think he is a wonderful father, always hands on and speaks very highly of his wife. They are beautiful.

Dexter on

Lovely dress! It’s nice to see a classic dress on a celebrity bride. I guess we have have Duchess Kate and Bella from Twilight to thank… I hope this is a trend we keep seeing.

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