By [ sytien9125]
For years, Chicago P.D. fans have imagined what could have been — a dream wedding between Hailey Upton and Jay Halstead that never made it to air. But now, the mystery surrounding Upton’s bridal look has finally been solved… and it’s everything we hoped for.
In an exclusive interview, Chicago P.D.’s longtime costume designer, Jill Newell, revealed that Hailey Upton’s wedding dress was not only created — it was ready to go. The stunning gown, which never saw the light of day due to story pivots and character exits, has remained hidden behind closed wardrobe doors — until now.
“We had it designed and fitted,” Newell said. “It was simple, powerful, and very Hailey. No frills, no sparkle — just strength, elegance, and edge.”
The dress featured a sleek silhouette with structured shoulders, a low-back detail, and subtle lace lining that reflected Upton’s bold, no-nonsense personality. Instead of a veil, she would have worn her hair pulled back in a soft bun — clean and understated, just like the character herself.
Why Fans Never Got to See It
While Halstead and Upton technically got married offscreen in a courthouse ceremony, the show never gave viewers a proper wedding episode. The quick marriage reveal left many fans feeling robbed of what could have been an iconic moment in One Chicago history.
“We were all set to shoot a flashback or private ceremony scene,” Newell added, “but scheduling, rewrites, and cast departures got in the way. It’s one of my biggest ‘what-ifs’ from the series.”
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
Newell shared that the dress was created in collaboration with a local Chicago designer, custom-made to fit Tracy Spiridakos’ athletic build and no-frills aesthetic. “It was designed for movement,” she explained. “Because if anyone was going to chase a suspect on her wedding day, it’d be Hailey.”
Fans React
After snippets of the gown surfaced on social media, fans immediately began calling for a deleted scene or a “what could’ve been” montage. Some even petitioned for the dress to appear in a future flashback — or a new wedding if Upton ever finds love again.
While we may never see Upton walk down the aisle onscreen, at least now we know: she had the perfect dress — and it was ready.
