And the bride wore... silver lace: Benedict Cumberbatch's pregnant wife Sophie Hunter's one-of-a-kind Valentino couture wedding dress is finally revealed

Fans across the world count her as one of the luckiest women around.

And Sophie Hunter - the new wife of Benedict Cumberbatch - has another reason to smile, as the stunning wedding dress she wore to tie the knot to her man has now been revealed. 

The gorgeous Valentino gown was photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue magazine ahead of her wedding day, and in a post made on the designer's Instagram, the custom-made item can now be seen it all its glory.

The 37-year-old theatre director, who tied the knot with the Sherlock actor on February 14 and is also pregnant with their first child together, looked amazing on her big day in a jaw-dropping bridal gown.

'Beautiful Sophie Hunter with Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli prepping her couture dress for her March wedding to Benedict Cumberbatch. #magicmoment #sophiehunter #benedictcumberbatch photographed by #AnnieLeibovitz,' read the caption alongside the snap.

The couture dress was unconventional, created out of silver lace rather than the typical bridal shades of white, champagne or ivory.

The happy couple: Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter tied the knot on February 14, in a secret ceremony on the Isle of Wight

The happy couple: Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter tied the knot on February 14, in a secret ceremony on the Isle of Wight

Be a lady in red like the beautiful Sophie Hunter

They had only been married a week, but that didn't stop Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter turning up to the Oscars in the hope Benedict would be taking home the best actor accolade.

Sadly, it wasn't meant to be for the Imitation Game star, but he took home the real prize, in the form of his wife who looked absolutely stunning on the red carpet.

Despite her growing bump, Sophie didn't play it safe in the sartorial stakes. She rocked a bespoke Lanvin asymmetric dress that featured a cut-away side - very risque indeed for someone expecting, but it looked fabulous!

She completed the look with a classy up-do, a gold cuff, clutch and heels.

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At the time, she was in the early days of her pregnancy, but her growing baby bump was clearly visible in the empire-line dress.

Featuring a flattering high neckline and long sleeves, and a long, flowing train, it looked amazing on the brunette British beauty. 

The striking gown was specially designed by Sophie herself, and Valentino designers Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chuiri, and - somewhat amazingly - it was made in just three months, despite dresses like this often taking as long as six months to create.

And it's fair to say the unique dress looked perfect on Sophie, whose secret wedding with her 38-year-old man took place on Valentine's Day on the Isle of Wight. 

The designers actually described her dress as a 'high-waisted medieval gown with high neck and long sleeves,' which is certainly fitting for its retro aesthetic.

'It feels very much of nature, and it's so detailed and extraordinary that I'm still trying to get my head around how beautiful it is,' Sophie added about her love of the one-of-a-kind garment in the interview accompanying the picture.

Baby on the way: As well as being in the throes of newly-wedded bliss, Sophie, 37, and Benedict, 38, are currently expecting their first child together

Baby on the way: As well as being in the throes of newly-wedded bliss, Sophie, 37, and Benedict, 38, are currently expecting their first child together

Adding to the natural feel of the dress, the lace was incredibly detailed and unique, designed with intricate decorations of vines and pomegranates.

It's thought that, although the high-end design house only works with around 25 brides a year because it takes so much time to create these one-off bridal gowns, Sophie was fit into their strict schedule because of Vogue editor Anna Wintour's impressive influence.

And it's clear that a lot of thought when into the unique design, as they wanted to make sure that her growing tum wasn't the centre of attention, and rather merely hinted at.  

Speaking to the high-end fashion magazine along with the striking editorial shoot, Sophie couldn't help but gush ahead of her then-upcoming nuptials to the Oscar-nominated actor. 

'When two people meet and it's the right combination, it does ground you suddenly,' she said. 

Easy does it! Sophie proudly accompanied her Oscar-nominated husband to several awards ceremonies during the busy season in February, the couple always making a perfect red carpet display

Easy does it! Sophie proudly accompanied her Oscar-nominated husband to several awards ceremonies during the busy season in February, the couple always making a perfect red carpet display

In January, the smitten couple announced that Sophie is with the couple's first child, and they spent the next month on the red carpets at the various ceremonies and events during the hectic awards season in Los Angeles and London.

Amid all of this, they managed to have their wedding in secret: Benedict and Sophie married at 12th century St. Peter & St. Paul Church, near Brighstone on the Isle of Wight prior to their lavish reception at the manor on the Saturday afternoon of Valentine's Day. 

The couple then enjoyed a post-awards season honeymoon in Tahiti and Bora Bora. 

Best-known for his Emmy-winning lead role in BBC series Sherlock, Benedict received his first Academy Award nomination this year for playing Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. 

A very charmed life indeed: Benedict was the toast of awards season with several nominations for his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, which all happened at the time of his wedding and baby news reveal

A very charmed life indeed: Benedict was the toast of awards season with several nominations for his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, which all happened at the time of his wedding and baby news reveal

 

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