The Best Finale Dresses Ever
Who cares about the final rose when there's so many pretty dresses to fawn over?!
OK, so of course we care about the outcome each season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, and inevitably tear up when the proposal happens. But before the big question is popped, we get to check out the final gowns each woman chooses to wear for her final moment on the show.
In honor of JoJo Fletcher's ivory showstopper, we ranked the 19 best dresses in the franchise's history...
19. Tessa Horst, Season 10
The social worker stayed true to her low-key style when she accepted Andy Baldwin's final rose. But come on, this is The Bachelor, not your family vacation to Hawaii!
18. Shayne Lamas, Season 12
While adorable, Lamas' short and sassy cocktail dress gave us major high school homecoming dance vibes.
17. Jen Schefft, Season 3
While pretty, Schefft's ivory lace dress failed to make a lasting impression on us. Fortunately, her decision to pull a Kelly Taylor and choose herself in the finale remains one of our favorite moments in the franchise's long history.
16. Courtney Robertson, Season 16
How fitting that Robertson, arguably the franchise's most controversial contestant ever, rocked an all-black look to say yes to Ben Flajnik's proposal in? But can we talk about those gloves for a second? At least she brought the drama until the very end.
15. Jillian Harris, Season 5
Harris went for simple, sleek and slightly snoozeworthy strapless gown to accept Ed Swiderski's proposal in. But the real standout was the seriously swoonworthy diamond necklace she paired with it. Hey, at least she nailed the accessories!
14. Melissa Rycroft, Season 13
We almost didn't even want to include this photo, given the horrible flashbacks it gives us to when Jason Mesnick decided he made the wrong choice on the After the Rose special, but we are professionals, so onward we march. And luckily, Rycroft looked radiant in this Grecian-style gown.
13. Emily Maynard, Season 15
While pretty and perfect for the occasion, Maynard's first finale look pales in comparison to the stunner she wore when she was the one handing out the final rose, but we'll get to that a little later...
12. Ashley Hebert, Season 7
While the detailing on Hebert's gown is truly exquisite (and well worth the $17,000 price tag), including ostrich feathers and hand-stitched crystals, we wish the cut on the top of Hebert's Randi Rahm was a bit more flattering. Still, the dress proved to be a winner as she and J.P. Rosenbaum are married and expecting a baby.
11. Desiree Hartsock, Season 9
The bridal stylist's one-shoulder gown by Randi Rahm, which she said "yes" to Chris Siegfried's proposal in, featured some seriously stunning beaded embellishments, but continued in the franchise's long tradition of less-than-colorful picks. Seriously, no Bachelorette has met an off-white gown she hasn't loved.
10. Trista Sutter, Season 1
Simple yet memorable, the OG Bachelorette's finale gown has stood the test of time...as has her marriage with Ryan Sutter. (They should be teaching a class in TV relationships 101.)
9. Nikki Ferrell, Season 18
Cowl neck and a high slit?! And a pop of color?! Ferrell came to play when it came to the finale fashion, rocking this fierce look to agree to continue dating Juan Pablo Galavis.
8. DeAnna Pappas, Season 4
Pappas said yes to snowboarder Jesse Csincsak's proposal in one of the most gorgeous shades of green...which inspired us to turn a slightly less flattering shade of green. (Though we do wish the dress was just the one shade of green, rather than the ombre effect going down, but that's just us being nitpicky.)
7. Meredith Phillips, Season 2
Going completely against the usual Bachelorette satorial guidelines (tight, low-cut, sequined, etc.), Phillips rocked a chic and unexpected black and white ensemble, including a classic white shirt a la Sharon Stone at the 1998 Oscars.
6. Catherine Giudici, Season 17
The cute and usually-casual style of Giudici went out the window with her shimmery one-shoulder gold gown, which was designed by David Meister. Bond girl meets Grecian goddess, it's easy to see how Sean Lowe couldn't resist dropping down on one knee and proposing to Giudici.
5. Ali Fedotowsky, Season 6
Our pick for all-around best dressed Bachelorette star ever (Our E! bias has nothing to do with is, we pinky promise!), Fedotowsky's finale dress, a custom Alberto Makali, did not disappoint.
4. Vienna Girardi, Season 14
We're seriously conflicted over here, people. While we couldn't stand Jake Pavelka's season, we're in deep, deep love with resident troublemaker Girardi's teal one-shoulder Carmen Marc Valvo gown. (The hair? Could've used some work.)
3. Andi Dorfman, Season 10
The verdict is in: we're totally giving Dorfman our final rose, thanks to her showstopping white gown by Carmen Marc Valvo, featuring a beaded collar, with she accessorized to perfection with a bracelet and simple earrings.
2. Emily Maynard, Season 8
A more daring look for the Southern belle (it gives us slight Xena vibes), Maynard's season eight finale salmon and bronze stunner from Jean Fares has lasted longer in our memory than her quickie engagement to winner Jef Holm.
1. JoJo Fletcher, Season 12
Go JoJo, go JoJo, go! Seriously, after a season filled with dazzling sequined gowns (Um, remember that skin-tight electric blue stunner she sent Luke Pell home in? Yowza!), Fletcher's finale gown is so elegant and stunning. And pairing it with natural make-up and her signature beachy locks? Love, love, love.