Once the final stragglers made it up the Met Gala carpet — we’re looking at you, Rihanna and your plus-one-to-be — the stars got to let loose inside the illustrious museum. Well, depending on how constricting their outfits were — and how strictly the many gala rules were enforced.

Met Gala lit up the world stage, the celebration spilled beyond the iconic steps of New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art -- with photos capturing all the fun both on and off the carpet. From candid celebrity moments to unforgettable fashion statements,