Olivia Culpo Defends Wedding Dress Choice Amid Criticism

In her first interview since marrying San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Olivia Culpo addressed the backlash regarding her understated wedding dress. Speaking to PEOPLE, the model and former Miss Universe emphasized her desire to feel authentic on her special day, stating, "I wanted to feel like myself in every sense of the word." Culpo opted for a more elegant look for her Rhode Island wedding on June 29, aiming to avoid any overt sensuality. Culpo previously shared with Vogue that she wanted her dress to reflect timelessness and elegance, rather than glamour. She noted that her husband appreciates her beauty in a more modest style, saying, "When I think about Christian and what he loves... it's absolutely in something like this: timeless, covered and elegant." Her bridal ensemble was completed with a striking 16-foot-long lace veil. The criticism intensified when stylist Kennedy Bingham described Culpo's bridal style as lacking personality. In response, both Culpo and McCaffrey labeled Bingham's remarks as "evil" and "extremely hurtful." Culpo expressed her disappointment, suggesting that her words were misinterpreted to fit a negative narrative. Despite the criticism, Culpo remains proud of her wedding choices, stating, "I loved every part of my wedding because I love my husband and the people we got to celebrate that day with." She concluded by affirming her commitment to making choices she would cherish for years to come. ABC News has reached out to Culpo for further comment.