The Priciest Weddings, Ranked From Lowest to Highest
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If you believe Jennifer Lopez, love may not cost a thing, but declaring that love can get really pricey. Most people would save up and spend a small fortune on their wedding day. But if you’re a celebrity or come from wealth, chances are that fortune will be multiplied many times over to create the perfect affair. It becomes even more immaculate when you are actual royalty, and get the pick of the venues, churches and dresses for your fairytale wedding.
These are the people who aren’t afraid to drop a few million, or if you’re a Russian oligarch, a billion on the wedding. They pull out all the stops when it comes to cakes, flowers, venues, designed attire and, of course, custom gowns for the brides. And don’t forget that some of these marriages end in equally expensive divorces. Here’s a look at the priciest weddings of the 21st century, ranked from lowest to highest.
Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso
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Estimated cost: $1 million
Hollywood heartthrob Matt Damon's marriage to Luciana Barroso seems to be one of the most solid marriages in show biz.
They actually married on the down-low in 2005 at city hall, and they waited seven years before renewing their vows in a beautiful, no-expense-spared ceremony on the island of St. Lucia.
The couple invited 50 close friends to celebrate with them at the Sugar Beach Resort, which they rented out for the entire weekend.
Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso's Wedding Details
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The hotel rental was responsible for the majority of the cost, ringing in at around $600,000. It was designed to be a quiet, private affair, with only their dearest friends. Guests included Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and, of course, Matt and Luciana's daughters.
Damon wore an unconventional tan-colored suit and sandals, while Barroso wore a simple cream-colored dress with a glittery accent belt.
Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Kroy Biermann
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Estimated Cost: $1 million
The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak tied the not with Kroy Biermann in 2011 in a ceremony that reportedly cost $1 million.
Nearly 10 percent of the total bill was spent on not one, but three, dramatic wedding gowns worn by the bride, which cost a total of $92,000.
Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Kroy Biermann's Wedding Details
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While many reality TV stars have glamorous weddings with all the bells and whistles, Kim's wedding had its very own reality show. "Don't Be Tardy for the Wedding" launched in 2011, capturing all the details of their relationship and wedding planning process.
When they married, Biermann adopted Zolciak's two eldest daughters from a previous relationship, Brielle and Ariana. The couple went on to have four more children: Kroy Jagger Jr., Kash, and twins Kaia and Kane.
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian
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Estimated cost: $1 million
Eleven weeks after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, American tennis superstar Serena Williams said a million-dollar “I do” to Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian in 2017.
The “Beauty and the Beast” themed wedding took place at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans. Guests received scroll wedding invites with “Tale As Old As Time” inscribed on them. The bride wore two separate dresses: a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress, followed by a feather cocktail Versace dress for the reception.
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian's Wedding Details
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Each of the four long tables at the reception was named after one of Serena’s Grand Slam wins, and guests took home trophy souvenirs. The Disney-inspired wedding also stuck to its theme with sweet treats dropping down from the ceiling and on-the-house carousel ride for the guests.
Among the invitees were Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Eva Longoria and Jay-Z.
Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman
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Estimated cost: $1 million
Anne Hathaway, the actress known for her diverse roles in "The Princess Diaries," "Ella Enchanted," "Ocean's 8," and "Les Miserables," spent about $1 million on her wedding to Adam Shulman in 2012, held on the coast of California in the oceanside town of Big Sur.
Here, the couple is pictured at an award ceremony in honor of Hathaway's new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman's Wedding Details
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The rustic-themed ceremony took place under the sky at sunset. Hathaway walked in wearing a custom-made Valentino gown that featured detailed embroidery and a dramatic veil.
The relatively quiet wedding, which had around 150 guests in attendance, was planned by the same wedding planners who planned Natalie Portman's wedding.
The decorations included real tree branches and flowers that cost more than $100,000, and dinner featured an upscale, all-vegan menu.
Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
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Estimated cost: $1 million
American television reality star Khloe Kardashian and NBA player Lamar Odom married in 2009, a month after they met. The bride wore a customized Vera Wang gown as she walked down the aisle in Beverly Hills, California.
This was followed by a Hollywood nightclub-themed reception with a tent decked out with silver mirrors, white carpets and chandeliers. Their chocolate buttercream wedding cake was five tiers and taller than Odom, who’s 6-feet, 10-inches tall.
Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's Wedding Details
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The wedding aired on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”
The cable network paid for the entire wedding, and they further monetized their short-lived union by selling exclusive rights to their pictures for $300,000.
Tori Spelling and Charlie Shanian
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Estimated cost: $1 million
It was a million-dollar affair for American actress Tori Spelling when she wed actor Charlie Shanian in 2004. The dual-faith ceremony — Spelling is Jewish, Shanian is Christian — took place at the bride’s father (Aaron Spelling’s) 56,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles.
The theme was a Roaring Twenties “Great Gatsby” one.
Tori Spelling and Charlie Shanian's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a beaded Badgley Mischka gown costing $50,000, along with a diamond and platinum headband. There was a cocktail reception by the pool before the party moved to a rose-covered gazebo where chef Wolfgang Puck served 350 guests beet and goat cheese napoleons and herb-crusted lamb.
The couple spent around $100,000 on their wedding rings and flowers and partied on until late in the morning. The next morning, Shanian’s family organized a barbecue at the Hotel Bel-Air. The two are now divorced.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt
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Estimated cost: $1 million
Hollywood’s most famous ’90s couple, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt exchanged vows on a clifftop in Malibu, California, in 2000.
Privacy was priority at the event. The couple rented out a 5-acre multimillion-dollar estate, made the airspace above the venue a "no-fly zone," kept the ceremony under wraps with a rather luxurious white tent, spent $100,000 on security and even made their guests sign an NDA.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a $40,000 glass-beaded silk and satin gown by Lawrence Steele, teaming it with Manolo Blahnik ivory suede heels and a Swarovski crystal crown. Reportedly, $75,000 was spent to set up a zen garden comprising 50,000 flowers like roses, wisteria and tulips. A gospel choir and four bands provided entertainment in addition to a $20,000 fireworks display.
Among their 200 guests were Cameron Diaz, Edward Norton, Salma Hayek and Courteney Cox who were served a lavish spread of lobster, caviar and Dom Perignon champagne for dinner.
Peter Andre and Katie Price
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Estimated cost: $1.2 million
Peter Andre and Katie Price aren't the most famous couple on this list, but their 2005 wedding still cost an extravagant $1.2 million. Price, an English TV personality, wore a pink, fairytale-inspired gown and was wheeled into the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage.
Here, the couple is pictured at the Elton John Academy Award viewing and afterparty in West Hollywood, California, in early 2009, though the couple split later that year.
Peter Andre and Katie Price's Wedding Details
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At one point, the pair was the most highly publicized celebrity couple. Their wedding was one of the most extreme in celebrity history, held at Highclere Castle — the very castle in which Downton Abbey was filmed. Katie's massive pink tulle and satin dress had a 20-foot train, and her beehived hair displayed a glittering pink crown on top.
Peter's outfit was just as elaborate. His white tux was embedded with Swarovski crystals. True to their style, they both waltzed in with orange-hued fake tans and a fresh shot of Botox.
Katie's carriage was pulled by six white horses, and the guest list included countless stars, including Charlotte Church and Wayne and Coleen Rooney.
Victoria Swarovski and Werner Mürz
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Estimated cost: Unknown
Even though the cost of the wedding between Victoria Swarovski and businessman Werner Murz is unknown, when you’re the heiress of a multibillion-dollar crystal company, you better believe that your wedding will be decked out with all things glitter.
And that was certainly the case for these two when they wed in Trieste, Italy, in 2017.
Victoria Swarovski and Werner Mürz's Wedding Details
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Swarovski's Michael Cinco gown alone was valued at about $1 million.
It was embellished with 500,000 Swarovski crystals — because, why not? — and had a 26-foot long veil and train. About 250 guests were in attendance for the three-day affair.
Kate Moss and Jamie Hince
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Estimated cost: $1.3 million
Model Kate Moss and musician Jamie Hince met through mutual friends in 2007 and were married in 2011 to the tune of $1.3 million.
Moss wore a custom Galliano dress and had 15 bridesmaids in tow — one of which was her daughter, Lila Grace.
Kate Moss and Jamie Hince's Wedding Details
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The wedding was a festival-themed event that lasted three days.
Despite their lavish English countryside wedding, the couple, unfortunately, didn’t last and got a divorce in 2015.
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson
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Estimated cost: $1.4 million
American singer and fashion designer Jessica Simpson tied her second nuptial knot with NFL player Eric Johnson in 2014 in a four-day celebration.
The venue was California’s luxury San Ysidro Ranch hotel and resort, which alone cost them $150,000.
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson's Wedding Details
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The woodland-themed wedding had an 18-piece orchestra. Simpson wore a $30,000 custom-made gold and champagne Carolina Herrera bridal gown. The couple spent more than $300,000 catering the about 250 guests with shrimp, oysters and barbecue baby back ribs as well as another $150,000 for floral décor.
But their entourage of 12 bridesmaids and 11 groomsmen was one of the biggest expenses, costing up to $750,000.
Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell
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Estimated cost: $1.5 million
Eddie Murphy's marriage to Nicole Mitchell in March of 1993 was somewhat of a surprise. The pair already shared two children, but no one expected Eddie Murphy to ever settle down.
When he did, he did so with great pomp and circumstance, shelling out a total of $1.5 million on their wedding festivities.
Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell's Wedding Details
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The celebration took place at New York's Plaza Hotel, and Nicole wore an off-the-shoulder French lace gown with a 12-foot-long train. It wasn't even remotely subtle, and the paparazzi swarmed outside the venue in hopes of getting a shot of the event. Murphy and Mitchell's then-3-year-old daughter, Bria, was the flower girl, and The Plaza's Grand Ballroom was carpeted in pure white for the event.
Chicken stuffed with truffles and pesto was served later in the Palm Court, while the Grand Ballroom was redecorated as a disco hall. The party continued until the wee hours of the morning. The fun didn't last forever, sadly, as the pair split up in 2006.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish
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Estimated cost: $1.5 million
In 2014, just months after the U.K. legalized civil union marriages, English music great Sir Elton John wed his partner, Canadian filmmaker David Furnish.
The couple exchanged diamond wedding bands worth $240,000 at Windsor’s Guildhall.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish's Wedding Details
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At the reception at Windsor mansion, they spent more than $130,000 on food alone, serving their 600 guests caviar and pink champagne.
Donatella Versace, the Beckhams, Claudia Schiffer, Sharon Stone and Liz Hurley were part of the star-studded guest list. The popular musician posted photos of the whole wedding on Instagram.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
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Estimated cost: $1.5 million
American golf phenomenon Tiger Woods married Swedish model Elin Nordegren in an intimate ceremony in Barbados in 2004. They rented out the entire facility at Sandy Lane Resort for their 120 guests. Rooms there cost up to $8,000 per night.
Woods even booked the island’s sole helicopter charter company to keep the paparazzi at bay.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a sleeveless white Vera Wang gown and had a special team of hairdressers flown in from London. The couple said “I do” in a white-netted pagoda decorated with 500 roses.
And for entertainment, American rock band Hootie & The Blowfish performed at the ceremony, which concluded with a stunning fireworks display.
Of course, all good things must come to an end. The couple went through a quite dramatic divorce in 2010.
Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith
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Estimated cost:
James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan and American journalist Keely Shaye Smith married in true “Bond” style in 2001.
An Irish ceremony at an Irish castle, Ballintubber Abbey, was followed by an extravagant reception with Irish food and music.
Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith's Wedding Details
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The bride chose a $60,000 Richard Tylor gown that closely resembled Grace Kelly’s iconic wedding dress. She paired it up with $20,000 earrings, and the groom wore a tux worth $12,000.
Their six-tier carrot wedding cake was modeled after the one served at the nuptials of John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onasis. Each tier had a hand-piped fleur-de-lis design, and the bride’s mother added crystallized edible flowers to the cake.
The Ashford Castle was decorated with 14,000 flowers costing $70,000, and a stunning fireworks display capped off the night.
Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky
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Estimated cost: $1.5 million to $2 million
British-born actress Elizabeth Taylor was known for her multitude of marriages and, subsequently, divorces. Her eighth wedding was to Larry Fortensky, a construction worker, and while the marriage didn't last, the event itself was tremendous.
Here, the couple is pictured arriving at Spago restaurant in West Hollywood in March 1993 after the 65th annual Academy Awards ceremony.
Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky's Wedding Details
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The grand wedding was hosted by Michael Jackson at his 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch in October 1991. Over a dozen helicopters floated over the event in hopes of catching footage of the ceremony, and one paparazzo was so bold as to parachute in, landing mere feet away from the stunned Taylor and Fortensky.
Despite the interruption, Taylor happily walked down the aisle in a light yellow Valentino gown worth $25,000, and 160 celebrity guests looked on in delight.
Taylor and Fortensky had an impressive 20 year age gap. She was 59 at the time, and he was only 39. Maybe that was part of the reason that the couple later divorced.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie
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Estimated cost: $1.5 million
In 2000, American pop queen Madonna chose the Scottish Highlands for her marriage to British director Guy Ritchie.
She spent $80,000 on her strapless, cream silk Stella McCartney gown with an antique veil embroidered with 19th-century lace. She paired this with Jimmy Choo shoes and a diamond tiara once adorned by Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie's Wedding Details
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The groom gifted Madonna with a $72,000 antique French bracelet containing diamonds, which she wore with a 37-carat diamond necklace. Their guests included Gwyneth Paltrow, Rupert Everett, Trudie Styler and Sting. The couple booked the entire Skibo Castle (all 51 bedrooms) for five nights of celebrations.
While the two divorced in 2008, they have two children together.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas
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Estimated cost: $1.5 million
This major tinsel town event was held at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 2000.
It started with the wedding invitations, which were written in invisible ink and holograms.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas' Wedding Details
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The bride wore a $140,000 Christina Lacroix gown and a $300,000 diamond tiara. There was a $7,000, 10-tier wedding cake, 20,000 roses, a 40-member Welsh choir and a ceremony with performances by Art Garfunkel.
Though the guest list was small — you know, just 350 people — it included Kofi Annan, Goldie Hawn, Jack Nicholson, Meg Ryan and Sean Connery, among others.
Nicole Richie and Joel Madden
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Estimated cost: $2 million
First, let’s address the elephant in the room — and we mean that literally.
When actress Nicole Richie married rocker Joel Madden in 2010, a 47-year-old elephant greeted the 155 wedding guests at the door of her father, Lionel Richie’s, estate. Richie considered it a symbol of luck.
Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's Wedding Details
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The bride wore not one but three dresses, designed by Marchesa, throughout the lavish affair. The gown for her ceremony cost $20,000 alone.
One of the more sentimental parts of the ceremony was when she walked down the aisle to Lionel’s “Ballerina Girl,” which he wrote for her in 1986.
Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman
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Estimated cost: $2 million
Christina Aguilera tied the knot with music label executive Jordan Bratman in 2005. Their invites, loaded with flowers, arrived in 2-foot-long boxes.
Wearing a $30,000 Spanish-style Christian Lacroix gown, the bride walked down the aisle in a vineyard in California’s Napa Valley.
Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman's Wedding Details
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Their winter landscape theme had a reception tent studded with white roses, hydrangeas, silver, birch trees, amaryllis and a chandelier made of 2,500 crystals. There was also a 14-piece orchestra.
Their 150 guests, including Sharon Stone, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore, were all asked to donate to relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. The now-divorced couple also spent $3,500 per night for their stay at the Auberge du Soleil cottage.
Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo
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Estimated cost: $2.5 million
Pierre Casiraghi, who is seventh in line to Monaco’s throne, married Italian aristocrat Beatrice Borromeo at a lavish ceremony in 2015.
The bride wore five different dresses, including three wedding gowns, throughout the various ceremonies.
Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo's Wedding Details
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The civil ceremony was held at the fairytale-like Grimaldi Palace of Monaco (Pink Palace) in front of 70 people. There was a carnival-like reception at the medieval castle Rocca d’Angera overlooking Lake Maggiore and an intimate dinner at the opulent Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.
The wedding was attended by 600 guests, which included European royalty, Italian aristocracy and members of the Italian fashion industry.
Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar
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Estimated cost: $2.5 million
English actress Elizabeth Hurley had a fairytale wedding in 2007 to Indian businessman Arun Nayar. There were two ceremonies.
The Anglican wedding in Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, England, saw Liz don a white Versace chiffon gown with a Chopard diamond tiara. The reception at the castle featured a five-course meal. The couple sold the exclusive rights to cover their wedding to a lifestyle magazine for an estimated $2.5 million.
Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar's Wedding Details
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The traditional Hindu wedding took place at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. They spent $300,000 on private jets, $100,000 on accommodations and $10,000 on the bridal suite. Liz arrived on a velvet gondola throne, and the wedding caravan comprised 12 horses and 60 camel carts.
The bride chose a pink Versace saree while Nayar wore a diamond-encrusted sherwani. This was followed by two more receptions at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort and Mumbai’s Taj Hotel.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
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Estimated cost: $2.8 million
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West said, "I do," in front of 200 guests at Forte di Belvedere fortress in Florence, Italy, in 2014. Kardashian wore a Givenchy Haute Couture dress worth $500,000.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's Wedding Details
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Attendees were treated to a glam squad session, and guests were flown by private jet from Paris for the kick-off to the main event in Florence.
Celebrations included a private bachelorette dinner for the bride and her closest girlfriends at Hôtel Costes; a rehearsal dinner, which included a performance by Lana Del Rey; and a guided tour of Versailles. Andrea Bocelli and John Legend provided entertainment.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise
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Estimated cost: $3 million
Another marriage that ended in divorce was that of Hollywood superstars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
They married in a lavish Scientology traditional “double ring” ceremony in Italy in 2006.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise's Wedding Details
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Armani seemed to be their preferred designer choice with Holmes opting for a $50,000 ivory-fitted gown and Cruise going for a navy suit. The dreamy affair was held at a 15th century Odescalchi Castle, and the couple spent almost one-third of their budget, $900,000, on airfare for their guests.
The dinner spread comprised of risotto, sea bass and artichokes, and the guests downed 300 bottles of red Barbesco wine and champagne costing $18,000. Andrea Bocelli serenaded them. Some of the stars in attendance were the Beckhams, Jennifer Lopez, and Will and Jada Smith.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
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Estimated cost: $3 million
Beatles member Paul McCartney married English businesswoman Heather Mills in 2002, followed by a very public divorce in 2008.
But the wedding was fabulous, taking place on the grounds of a remote castle in Glaslough, Ireland, in a 17th-century chapel in front of 300 family and friends.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills' Wedding Details
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Wedding guests were then treated to a night of live music, champagne and vegetarian Indian food in a tented space. There was a four-tier chocolate wedding cake and entertainment in the form of Indian dancers as well as music by 10-piece band Celtic Bangra.
The bride wore an ecru lace dress she designed herself and carried a bouquet of 11 pink McCartney roses. She walked down the aisle to “Heather,” a song McCartney wrote for her.
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault
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Estimated cost: $3.5 million
Billionaire François-Henri Pinault married actress Salma Hayek in 2009 at the famous opera house, Teatro la Fenice, in Venice, Italy. Hayek wore a custom Balenciaga gown and carried a flower bouquet adorned with crystals.
U2 leader Bono gave a performance during the reception, and the food was cooked by none other than famed chef José Andrés.
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault's Wedding Details
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In true Venetian tradition, there was a masquerade-style rehearsal dinner at the 17th century Punta Della Dogana, the old custom house.
There were 150 guests, and stars in attendance included Woody Harrelson, Charlize Theron, Ashley Judd, David Blaine and Penelope Cruz. Guests serenaded the bride and groom with a rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”
Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello
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Estimated cost: $4 million
Colombian actress Sofía Vergara married American actor Joe Manganiello at Florida’s The Breakers Palm Beach in 2015. The bride wore an ivory-lace brocaded gown by Zuhair Murad and Lorraine Schwartz earrings while the groom looked dapper in a black suit by John Varvatos.
Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello's Wedding Details
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The couple spent more than a million dollars on the floral deco and $500,000 on food. Pitbull, Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan performed during the two-day affair.
Instead of gifts, the newlyweds requested their guests donate to St. Jude’s. The following day, they hired medical personnel to attend to their guests’ well-being and ensure they were in shape for the wedding brunch.
Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter
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Estimated cost: $4 million
A televised ceremony, more than 17 million viewers and an all-expense-paid wedding: The first-ever “Bachelorette” couple to wed on live television, Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter, could not have asked for a better start to their marriage in December 2003.
Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter's Wedding Details
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The bride donned a $70,000 Badgley Mischka gown, a million-dollar Tacori necklace and $50,000 diamond-encrusted Stuart Weitzman shoes. Their wedding rings cost $25,000.
The Palm Springs, California, resort, where the ceremony took place, was decorated with more than 30,000 pink and white roses worth half-a-million dollars. At the reception, food from 14 countries was served. That included 200 pounds of seafood and 180 bottles of champagne.
Liza Minnelli and David Gest
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Estimated cost: $4.2 million
It’s not every day that you have the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, as your best man and Elizabeth Taylor as maid of honor.
American singer Liza Minnelli’s fourth marriage to (late) comedian David Gest in New York in 2002 was a flashy affair with nearly 1,500 guests in attendance.
Liza Minnelli and David Gest's Wedding Details
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The bride walked down the aisle in an ivory crepe gown by Bob Mackie, and she had 16 bridesmaids. Minnelli covered up with a floor-length white mink coat on her way to the reception at the Regent Hotel.
There, Natalie Cole crooned her father’s song, “Unforgettable,” and Tony Bennett also entertained guests. A 60-piece orchestra played as they cut their 12-layered, 6-foot-high wedding cake, while guests feasted on seafood and vintage champagne.
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin
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Estimated cost: $4.6 million
This 2014 destination wedding was held in Venice, Italy.
Actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin flew in their guests and reserved 95 hotel rooms at the Cipriani hotel.
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin's Wedding Details
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Amal's Oscar de la Renta gown was $380,000, flowers cost a quarter of a million bucks, and guests went through 250 bottles of champagne (at a mere $50,000) and $80,000 worth of Grey Goose vodka.
There were separate dinners held before and after the wedding, with the party very much continuing the next day at the Cipriani.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas
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Estimated cost: $5 million to $8 million
It was nothing less than a fairytale when actress Priyanka Chopra and pop star Nick Jonas tied the knot in India. There was a whole week of celebrations in late 2018 culminating in two ceremonies — a “white” wedding and a Hindu ceremony.
Both took place at the Umaid Bhavan Palace, a palace-turned-five-star hotel located in Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' Wedding Details
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Chopra wore a Ralph Lauren wedding gown, studded 2,380,000 mother-of-pearl sequins, and a 75-foot veil. Her custom-made Sabyasachi lehenga took 110 embroiders putting in 3,720 man-hours to create.
Celebrations involved a whopping 18-foot-tall, six-tier dessert and a fireworks display after the nuptials — and, yes, guests got goodie bags (with customized silver coins). The two ceremonies were followed by, not two, but five weddings receptions!
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky
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Estimated cost: $5 million
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton and investment banker Marc Mezvinsky tied the knot at a grand interfaith ceremony at Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, New York, in 2010.
There were 400 guests at the estate, which overlooks the Hudson River.
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky's Wedding Details
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The bride wore Vera Wang, who also happened to be a guest, along with other stars like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand. The men wore Burberry.
There was a 5-foot, gluten-free wedding cake. Clinton’s wedding dress cost $25,000, topped with $250,000 worth of diamonds. The flower-covered chuppah (the traditional Jewish canopy) is estimated to have cost between $35,000 and $45,000, and, yes, all guests walked away with goodie bags.
Sarah Salleh and Prince Al Muhtadee Billah of Brunei
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Estimated cost: $6 million
The royal wedding between the heir to the throne of Brunei and a Swiss teenager took place in 2004.
Around 2,000 guests graced the occasion, including the likes of the Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester. The hosts had 100 limousines in place for the guests and family members.
Sarah Salleh and Prince Al Muhtadee Billah of Brunei's Wedding Details
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After a 21-gun salute, the wedding was solemnized in a cavernous hall of the groom’s father Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s 1,700-room Istana palace.
The prince donned a golden crown while his wife wore a diamond tiara, gemstone-encrusted headscarf and dress as well as diamond-studded shoes and a bouquet of gold and diamonds.
Folarin Alakija and Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar
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Estimated cost: $6.3 million
The wedding between Folarin Alakija, the son of a Nigerian oil billionaire, and Iranian model Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar took place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, in 2017.
Folarin Alakija and Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar's Wedding Details
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The venue was decked out in flowers — to put it mildly. In fact, 1 million white roses decorated the interior, creating entire flower walls and hanging installations.
Even the 12-foot-tall wedding cake was covered in the white flowers.
Sean Parker and Alexandra Lenas
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Estimated cost: $7 million
Former Facebook president Sean Parker tied the knot with singer Alexandra Lenas in 2013 in Big Sur, California.
The lavish affair lasted three days.
Sean Parker and Alexandra Lenas' Wedding Details
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There was a 20-foot-tall entrance gate that cost $250,000 and was set against the backdrop of redwoods. Around 300,000 fresh and silk flower petals covered the 200-feet long aisle. The couple sat on a 100-foot sofa throne during the reception and cut a 9-foot-tall cake. Plus, there were customized outfits for all 366 guests from the LOTR costume designer Ngila Dickson.
The scene included fur-pelt-strewn beds in the lounge area, a cottage, fake ruins, waterfalls, staircases, a dance floor and multiple platforms. While the ceremony preparations cost them $4.5 million, Parker also had to pay a settlement fee of $1 million to the California Coastal Commission and an extra $1.5 million as forest donation.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
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Estimated cost: $7 million
Singer Justin Timberlake and movie star Jessica Biel got married in Italy in 2012.
The ceremony was at the white stone Borgo Egnazia resort in Puglia. The destination was a surprise to 150 guests (including Andy Samberg, Jimmy Fallon and Timbaland) who landed in Frankfurt and were then given an itinerary.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's Wedding Details
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The festivities began two days before the wedding with a beach party that featured fireworks and, of course, live music.
On her wedding day, Biel wore a custom pink, not white, Giambattista Valli gown with a veil encrusted with her heirloom pearls, and rather fittingly, Timberlake serenaded her as she walked down the aisle. Guests enjoyed a four-course meal that included sea bass, steak and lobster.
Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin
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Estimated cost: $7 million
Footballer Wayne Rooney and English product endorser Coleen McLoughlin took their vows at the Abbey of Cervara near Genoa in Italy in 2008.
Irish boyband, Westlife, serenaded the couple at the cost of $670,000.
Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin's Wedding Details
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Five private jets flew guests to the wedding, and they partied on a $12 million yacht during the four-day extravaganza.
Guests were given a box of butterflies to release at the wedding, while the couple exchanged bespoke bands valued at $125,000 from a jeweler in New York. While the affair was over-the-top, the couple asked guests to make donations to a children's hospital in Liverpool, England, instead of gifts.
Lolita Osmanova and Gaspar Avdolyan
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Estimated cost: $10 million
You can attend the Oscars, or you can just recreate the event for your wedding day. That’s what Lolita Osmanova and Gaspar Avdolyan did when they wed in 2017.
The son and daughter of two of Russia’s wealthiest families married at the Dolby Theatre — yes, the very theater that hosts the Oscars — in Los Angeles.
Lolita Osmanova and Gaspar Avdolyan's Wedding Details
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The performers alone were worthy of the Academy Awards, with Lady Gaga and Jason Derulo among the entertainment.
There was, of course, a red carpet, and there were even stars lining the floor that featured the names of the guests. (And check out that cake!)
Aleksey Shapovalov and Ksenia Tsaritsina
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Estimated cost: $10 million
We can’t help but wonder if these Russian couples were trying to out “I do” each other, but multibillionaire Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov and model Ksenia Tsaritsina had an equally lavish wedding in 2017 at Barvikha Luxury Village in Moscow.
How could they not, though, considering Shapovalov proposed with a 70-carat ring worth about $8 million.
Aleksey Shapovalov and Ksenia Tsaritsina's Wedding Details
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Get this: They also had Lady Gaga perform, as well as Jennifer Lopez.
Plus, the bride wore two Barbie dresses, and there were thousands and thousands of flowers.
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto
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Estimated cost: $10 million
The former NBA star Michael Jordan and Cuban model Yvette Prieto got married at Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in 2013.
The reception was at the Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida, in white tents with clear roof panels, crystal candelabras and flowers. Thousands of lit candles surrounded the couple during their first dance.
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a French silk J'Aton Couture gown with Swarovski crystals. There was an all-white, seven-layer white rum wedding cake, adorned with crystal brooches and a monogram of the couple.
And that’s not all: Guests were entertained by singers K'Jon, Robin Thicke and Usher.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
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Estimated cost: $10 million
Yes, Kim Kardashian is on this list twice. While her second marriage may have ended after just 72 days, it was an expensive affair.
The reality TV star wed NBA player Kris Humphries in 2011 at Sotto Il Monte estate in Montecito, California. Kardashian wore a $2.5 million Lorraine Schwartz headpiece. The menu included caviar, truffles and Kobe beef burgers served by Wolfgang Puck.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries' Wedding Details
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While the wedding price tag was high, the couple didn’t have to shell out much of their own money, if any. Most of the stuff was free or discounted, and they made more than $17 million on screening rights.
Kardashian was gifted three custom-made Vera Wang wedding dresses, the venue, the 6-foot tall black and white wedding cake, $400,000 worth of Perrier Jouet champagne and crystal-embellished invitations. It really does pay to be famous.
Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt
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Estimated cost: $19 million
British heiress Petra Ecclestone married entrepreneur James Stunt in 2011 at Odescalchi Castle near Lake Bracciano in Italy.
It was a three-day event with a performance by Andrea Bocelli.
Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a $1.3 million Vera Wang gown. The drinks at the wedding included $5,000 of Chateau Petrus wine. There were also fireworks, an acrobatics show, and performances by Eric Clapton, Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas. Guests included members of the royal family and U.S. socialites.
Unfortunately, the fabulous wedding was only followed by five years of marriage. The couple filed for divorce in June 2017.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia
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Estimated Cost: $25 million
The now King and Queen of Spain, Felipe IV married former TV anchorwoman Letizia Ortiz in a ceremony at the Santa María la Real de La Almudena Cathedral in Madrid in 2004.
It was watched by 25 million people in Spain on a massive TV screen erected for the public.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a gown by Spanish designer Manuel Pertegaz, with a high-standing collar, woven with Valencia silk and embroidered with silver and gold threads, and a Prussian diamond tiara. Following the nuptials, they toured the streets of Madrid in a Rolls Royce.
There was a gala dinner hosted by the King and Queen at Prado Palace the night before the wedding for 350 guests, while the bridal banquet was held at the Royal Palace. The cake was 6.5-feet high and weighed about 375 pounds. On the night of the event, 1,000 bottles of champagne were passed around. Security, as expected, was tight, with 18,000 police and 200 rooftop snipers.
Prince Abdul Malik and Dayangku Raabi’atul
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Estimated cost: $30 million
Prince Abdul Malik, the youngest son of the Sultan of Brunei, married Dayangku Raabi’atul in 2015 in a celebration that lasted 11 days.
It took place at the Istana Nurul Iman palace, the official residence of the sultan.
Prince Abdul Malik and Dayangku Raabi’atul's Wedding Details
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The couple wore matching gold outfits adorned with diamonds. The bride carried a bouquet of gems made to resemble flowers, sported a three-piece emerald jewelry set, jewel-encrusted Christian Louboutin heels and a chunky pure gold anklet.
And in true royal fashion, the couple sat on gold-gilded thrones during the enthronement ceremony in front of the 5,000 guests present.
Angela Yeung and Huang Xiaoming
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Estimated cost: $31 million
Chinese actress, singer and model Angela Yeung (who goes by the stage name of Angelababy) married Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming in 2015, at Shanghai Exhibition Center surrounded by 2,000 guests.
They exchanged $1.5 million diamond rings.
Angela Yeung and Huang Xiaoming's Wedding Details
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The bride wore a Christian Dior couture gown with a 10-foot-long train and nearly a hundred hand-cut Chantilly lace rose bouquets. She also wore Elie Saab in a pre-wedding photoshoot in Paris.
The ceremony was also live-streamed, and the venue had screens displaying photos of the couple, a holographic castle and tens of thousands of roses. The cake was approximately 10-feet tall and shaped like a carousel. Guests walked away with goodie bags containing cellphones.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
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Estimated cost: $34 million
The first royal wedding for this generation of royals, dubbed the wedding of the 21st century, was held in 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London.
Of the cost, about $32 million went to security. Middleton’s gown, designed by Alexander McQueen’s creative director, Sarah Burton, cost $434,000 and featured a 9-foot-long train and handmade lace.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's Wedding Details
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There were two receptions, a luncheon for 600 guests at Buckingham Palace and a dinner for 300 hosted by the groom's father, Prince Charles. Other costs were for flowers (estimates put them at $1.1 million) and foliage, including eight 20-foot-high field maple trees and a traditional white buttercream eight-tier wedding cake.
A substantial amount also went toward the bespoke, gold-plated trumpets, handmade in Britain, which heralded the couple.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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Estimated cost: $45 million
Prince Harry and his American bride, actress Meghan Markle, tied the knot in front of the world on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in England.
Markle’s sleek and modern dress was a custom design by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, which cost $135,000. It had a 16-foot-long veil, embroidered with the flora of all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Details
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Claire Ptak of London's Violet Bakery made the wedding cake, a lemon and elderflower cake decorated with Swiss meringue frosting and fresh flowers.
Estimates say security alone cost the royal family close to $40.2 million. The reception had 600 guests, including Oprah Winfrey, the Clooneys, the Beckhams, Serena Williams, Elton John, James Cordon and Priyanka Chopra, to name but a few.
Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia
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Estimated cost: $66 million
Vanisha Mittal, the daughter of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and one of the richest men in the world, married banker Amit Bhatia in 2004.
The lavish ceremony lasted six days and took place at the Palace of Versailles in France. About 1,000 guests were flown in by private jet.
Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia's Wedding Details
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Wedding invitations included 20 pages worth of poetry, site descriptions and festival details placed in individual silver boxes. There was a 24-hour snack bar, a beauty salon with hairdressers and makeup artists, three exclusive television channels broadcasting wedding preparations and movies, and the food was cooked by 38 chefs.
The week-long affair included parties and dinners at the palace and the Jardin des Tuileries, with entertainment by pop star Kylie Minogue (paid $330,000 for 30 minutes) and fireworks in the Eiffel Tower garden.
Prince Albert II and Charlene, Princess of Monaco
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Estimated cost: $70 million
Charlene Wittstock married Prince Albert II in 2011, and judging by the cost of their wedding, becoming a princess isn't the subtlest of ordeals. The entire affair cost upward of $70 million.
Here, the couple is pictured waving to the crowd at the Monaco Palace, where they attended ceremonies in celebration of the National Day of Monaco on Nov. 19, 2018.
Prince Albert II and Charlene, Princess of Monaco's Wedding Details
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Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have been married since July 1, 2011. Their wedding involved a two-day extravaganza at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, and a two-day public holiday was declared so citizens could watch the ceremony.
The elaborate wedding was, in part, designed to help boost tourism, with a civil ceremony held in the royal throne room and a religious ceremony in the picturesque palace courtyard.
The religious segment was conducted by Archbishop Bernard Barsi, while the civil ceremony was completed by Philippe Narmino, the then president of the Council of State.
The Roy Sons
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Estimated cost: $76.5 million
The sons of Sahara supremo, Subrato Roy, one of India’s most influential families, got married in an extravagant ceremony at the Sahara Auditorium in Lucknow in 2004.
Sushanto wed Richa while Seemanto married Chandini in front of a whopping 11,000 guests.
The Roy Sons' Wedding Details
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The sangeet function took place at the Hotel Clarks in Awadh, and other pre-wedding functions were celebrated at Roy’s Sahara residence. The wedding outfits were designed by leading Indian designers, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Rohit Bal.
The event included performances by Shiamak Davar dance group and British Symphony Orchestra (who played Indian songs). Artists from the U.K. performed Flamenco, classical ballet and tap dance, and Bollywood director Raj Kumar Santoshi filmed the event. The décor included prism glasses, torchlights, wax lights and exotic flowers and hot air balloons. Guests were served 100 different cuisines.
Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal
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Estimated cost: $100 million
In December 2018, Isha Ambani (the daughter of India’s and Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani) married Anand Piramal (the heir of the Piramal Group) in a wedding with opulence that took people’s breaths away.
It started with the wedding invites, made of two-tier floral boxes with precious stones and necklaces, costing $4,000 each.
Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal's Wedding Details
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The Ambanis booked 100 chartered flights, and pre-wedding celebrations saw all the five-star hotels in Udaipur reserved for guests, along with 1,000 luxurious cars. Guests covered the gamut of India’s top businessmen, sportsmen and Bollywood celebrities, and international guests included American businessman Henry Kravis.
Beyoncé was booked for a private performance. To offer gratitude to the host city, the Ambanis donated three meals a day to 5,100 residents in Udaipur for four days and set up a crafts bazaar.
But remember, that was just the pre-wedding celebration. The actual wedding reception was held at the Ambani residence — the $2 billion Antilla, the world’s most expensive home — located just a quick plane ride away in Mumbai.
Said Gutseriev and Khadija Uzhakhovs
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Estimated Cost: $1 billion
When the son of Russian oligarch and billionaire Mokhail Gutseriev married Khadija Uzhakhovs in March 2016, it was an insane affair.
The venue the couple chose was Safisa in Moscow, which was completely dripping with flowers and lights. The cake had nine tiers, decorated with fresh pink flowers.
Said Gutseriev and Khadija Uzhakhovs' Wedding Details
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The bride wore a heavily embellished Elie Saab gown weighing 25 pounds (and costing approximately $1 million). It was so heavy, in fact, she needed help to walk up the stairs.
There were performances by Jennifer Lopez, Sting, Enrique Iglesias, French singer Patricia Kaas and Georgian national folk dance ensemble Sukhishvili — and don’t forget the fireworks display. A fleet of Rolls Royces and Bentleys ferried people around, and guests received gold jewel boxes as wedding favors. Why didn’t we get an invite?