$600M Bash, Dress with Molten Gold, Wall of Caviar: 10 of the Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings

Celebrities have not outbid non-public persons on the most expensive wedding to date.
See inside the lavish nuptials of well-known individuals, such as international royal families and Hollywood celebrities. The lavishness of these weddings has created history.
Their extravagant feasts and multimillion-dollar ceremonies revolutionized the wedding industry.

Celebrities frequently throw lavish parties, especially for their weddings. They are not the only ones, though, who indulge on their special day.

This time, even the most lavish celebrity weddings have been surpassed by private individuals. Their events have rightfully taken center stage as the priciest wedding festivities in recorded history.

Over the years, prominent people have celebrated their marriages with grandeur and style. Their elaborate rituals, unique wardrobe selections, and striking entrances are well-known features of their weddings. These incidents have left their mark on history.

From gourmet dining experiences to stunning wedding gowns, these ceremonies have cost up to $600 million. Here are ten of the most expensive weddings involving celebrities.

10. Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon

At Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon held a lavish vow renewal ceremony to commemorate their fifth wedding anniversary. The famous Sleeping Beauty Castle served as the venue for the occasion. They can only hire the site of their choice when the park is closed.

At least $135,000 was spent by the couple only to rent the castle. This included the ceremony and reception’s basic setup and décor. Among the celebration’s distinctive elements was Cannon’s role as DJ at the after-ceremony party.

For their spectacular entry, Carey and Cannon arrived in a horse-drawn Cinderella crystal carriage that rolled along Main Street. At $3,150, the carriage was furnished with a personal footman.

A total of 250 of their closest friends and family attended the Fantasyland celebration. The expenses mounted swiftly, with dinner costing an average of $125 per person plus a 22 percent service charge and an eight percent sales tax. Just the reception itself cost a substantial amount of money.

When all the expenditures were added together, their anniversary celebration came to a total of about $180,000. The proprietor of Magical Vacation Planner, Jamie Ane Eubanks, called the ceremony a “beautiful and fairy-tale renewal.”

9. Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher

Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood got married in the charming Georgian town of Greensboro. They infused their Southern wedding at the Ritz Carlton Lodge with the glamour and extravagance of Hollywood.

With a $500k budget, their lavish wedding took place at the resort, where all 251 rooms were rented out. Underwood was flown to the location in style and arrived in a helicopter.

The famous couple and their guests had exclusive access to the hotel’s private lake and the Reynolds Plantation golf course. The ceremony took place in a luxurious lakeside tent, where they exchanged their vows surrounded by serene natural beauty.

One of the main topics of discussion was Underwood’s bridal gown. Among the contenders were designers Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Reem Acra. But until the big day, the final decision was kept a closely-guarded secret.

Hollywood glitz and Southern charm were combined in the wedding. This combination made the occasion one to remember and talk about. The spectacular setting, opulent lodging, and well-known attendees contributed to the event’s outstanding quality.

8. Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston

One of the most talked-about celebrity weddings is still Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s Malibu wedding. The event, which took place more than 20 years ago, was distinguished by its lavishness and meticulousness.

Actor and wedding guest Michael Rapaport talked about some of the most memorable moments, such the “wall of caviar,” on “Watch What Happens Live.” This opulent element demonstrated the celebration’s richness and made a lasting impact.

About 200 people attended the wedding, making it a major pop cultural occasion. About 50,000 flowers were used for the occasion, which produced a breathtaking backdrop.

Numerous bands entertained the crowd and ensured a lively environment throughout the evening. The evening gained a magical touch with a breathtaking fireworks show that marked the culmination of the festivities. According to reports, the wedding cost about $1 million.

7. Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas

On November 18, 2000, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas were married. The famous Plaza Hotel in New York City hosted a star-studded event. The event, which reportedly cost between $1.5 and $2 million, garnered a lot of interest from photographers and well-wishers.

The pair took considerable security precautions and entered the vast ballroom covertly. The extravagant celebration, which featured limos transporting Hollywood’s elite to the location, drew over 250 guests.

The guest list included renowned actors such as Goldie Hawn, Sean Connery, and Danny DeVito. Despite the public interest, the ceremony details were closely guarded. Guests were asked not to bring traditional wedding gifts. Instead, they would donate to a charity fund established for the couple’s infant son, Dylan Michael.

Douglas placed a high premium on security, hiring a forty-man security team to supplement the security of the Plaza Hotel, the New York police, and more barricades. In order to guarantee the attendees’ privacy and the event’s security, identity screening tents were also erected.

The black-tie event within the ballroom combined sophistication with Hollywood glam. An amazing event was created by the mix of famous attendees, an opulent setting, and careful organization.

6. Grace Kelly & Prince Rainier III

One of the most famous and spectacular weddings in history is the one Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III had on April 19, 1956, in Monaco. It’s interesting to note that in order to wed the Prince, the Oscar-winning actress had to pay a $2 million dowry, or almost $20 million in modern money.

Held at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the event attracted Hollywood stars and high society members, including Aristotle Onassis, Conrad Hilton, and Ava Gardner.

Over 30 million people watched the live broadcast from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, which captured their attention. More than 600 people observed the union of Monégasque and Hollywood royalty at the ceremony.

Kelly’s wedding gown, created by MGM Studios’ Helen Rose, is now among the most well-known bridal gowns. The long-sleeved lace gown with a 10.5-foot train and a high collar set a classic standard for bridal wear.

The wedding gown was crafted with intricate Brussels lace, pearl-encrusted buttons, and a taffeta skirt. Breaking from royal tradition, she chose not to wear a tiara, instead securing her veil with a Juliet cap.

Kelly’s immaculate taste was evident in the garment, which was a marvel of elegance and sophistication that was kept under strict protection at MGM’s wardrobe department. Monaco and the globe were left with a lasting impression from the lavish wedding ceremony.

5. Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes

In November 2006, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes wed in a lavish ceremony at Rome’s Odescalchi Castle. Over $3 million was spent on the star-studded event.

It was attended by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, David and Victoria Beckham, and Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Their photographer was Robert Evans. He noted that the celebration spanned two days before the actual wedding ceremony.

With around 150 guests, the event was intimate and grand. It blended a sense of exclusivity with Hollywood glamour. On the wedding day, the ceremony was marked by heartfelt vows and emotional moments captured beautifully by Evans.

Despite the high-profile nature of the event, he observed a genuine connection between Cruise and Holmes. Their connection was reflected in the candid and natural photographs.

4. George & Amal Clooney

George and Amal Clooney’s lavish Italian wedding allegedly came with a price tag of about $4.6 million. The Aman Hotel and the opulent Cipriani Hotel hosted the celebrations. It was said that they had spent no expense spared to make sure their visitors had an unforgettable day.

A large chunk of the wedding budget went toward accommodation for the couple and their guests. The Cipriani Hotel’s Palladio Suite, costing over $9,000 per night, and the Dogaressa Suite, at close to $8,000 per night, were among the options.

With 95 rooms booked at the Cipriani, the total for the hotel alone was nearly $3 million. Additionally, some guests stayed at The Aman Hotel, where rooms could cost up to $4,650 per night.

Held at The Aman Hotel, the main event was a lavish affair. They paid $250,000 to hire the reception space, plus an additional $300,000 for lighting, table rentals, and other production expenses.

The five-course Italian-style dinner, prepared by Chef Riccardo de Pra, cost around $30,000 for 100 guests. Flowers by Munaretto, which were elegantly arranged, added another $250,000 to the total.

George spent almost $5,000 on a custom-made Giorgio Armani suit on his wedding day. Amal looked stunning in a $380,000 custom-made Alexander McQueen gown created by Sarah Burton. The already opulent celebration was enhanced with a dash of high elegance thanks to these custom clothes.

Transportation was meticulously planned. They had boats on standby for three days to shuttle guests around Venice. This service, costing $400 per hour, totaled $36,500.

The assortment of drinks was similarly sumptuous. For a total of $50,000, the pair offered 250 bottles of champagne, priced at $200 apiece, and 200 bottles of Grey Goose vodka, priced at $8,000. They were given 600 complimentary bottles of Casamigos Tequila, but it would have cost them $30,000.

The assortment of high-end beverages guaranteed that attendees fully delighted in the festivities. George and Amal held separate get-togethers with friends prior to the wedding.

With seven buddies, George’s bachelor celebration at Da Ivo restaurant came to roughly $1,750, not including alcohol. Amal’s supper with ten pals, meanwhile, came her almost $2,000. The lavish events that followed were preceded by these pre-wedding festivities.

The newlyweds had lunch and dinner for their guests at Cipriani on Sunday as part of the festivities. Alcohol was not included in the roughly $15,000 expense of these extra get-togethers.

The extended celebration allowed guests to enjoy more intimate time with the couple. George and Amal’s wedding was a grand, multi-day event that showcased their love in an exceptionally lavish setting.

3. Princess Catherine & Prince William

The lavish celebration of Catherine Middleton and Prince William’s marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, was equally impressive. An estimated $38 million was spent on it. The occasion brought attention to how extravagant royal weddings usually are.

The estimated cost of the floral arrangements alone was $875,000. Two wedding cakes cost an additional $87,000, demonstrating the couple’s taste for tradition and elegance.

Kate’s wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, cost $334,000. This bill was reportedly footed by her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

French Chantilly and English Cluny lace were used on Kate’s dress, and a tiny blue piece of fabric was sewed inside for her “something blue.” The dress featured cushioned hips that resembled an opening flower, and a 9-foot train.

For her “something borrowed” and “something new,” Kate wore the Cartier Halo Tiara lent by the Queen and Robinson Pelham earrings gifted by her parents. The earrings featured an oak leaf with a pear-shaped diamond inspired by the Middletons’ new coat of arms.

Westminster Abbey served as the venue for the wedding ceremony. The pair was married by the Archbishop of Canterbury under the direction of the Dean of Westminster. Eight twenty-foot-tall trees bordered the Abbey aisle as Kate and her father drove from the Goring Hotel to Parliament Square.

Following the wedding, the newlyweds made their way to Buckingham Palace in a procession pulled by horses. Along the way, people from the public hailed them. The newlyweds and their guests were also given a banquet at Buckingham Palace by the Queen. A private supper hosted by Prince Charles came next.

Following their nuptials, the newlyweds continued the tradition by sharing a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, echoing the iconic moments of the groom’s parents.

2. Princess Diana & King Charles III

The $48 million wedding between King Charles III and Princess Diana on July 29, 1981, was hailed as the “wedding of the century” due to its grandeur and lasting cultural influence. St. Paul’s Cathedral in London served as the ceremony’s location; it was picked for its elegance and ability to hold an orchestra and choir.

This marked the first royal event at St. Paul’s since 1501, distinguishing it from the more frequently used Westminster Abbey. The event was watched by 750 million people globally, highlighting its historical significance.

The wedding guest list was a who’s who of global dignitaries and celebrities. Among the 3,500 attendees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, Nancy Reagan, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The presence of royalty, such as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and notable figures like Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, added to the grandeur.

The wedding gown worn by Princess Diana was a fashion icon of the early 1980s. 10,000 micro pearls were used to embellish the ivory silk taffeta that was used to create it. David and Elizabeth Emanuel created the dress, which had a train that extended 25 feet, puffy sleeves, and a ruffled neckline.

Hidden within the dress were special touches, including a blue bow and a gold horseshoe for good luck. For her headpiece, Diana chose the Spencer tiara, a family heirloom, over the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot tiara offered by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Spencer tiara, worn by her sisters at their weddings, is a composite of various pieces. It included end pieces from a bauble of Viscountess Frances Manby and a central piece from Lady Cynthia Hamilton’s wedding gift.

The wedding flowers were as meticulously planned as the dress. Florist David Longman prepared two identical bouquets to avoid mishaps. This tradition was started after Queen Elizabeth lost her wedding flowers.

The wedding party featured two pageboys and five bridesmaids. They were each chosen for their personal connection to the bride and groom. Notable among them were Diana’s niece, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, and Charles’s goddaughter, India Hicks.

Following the vows, the couple traveled in a State Landau carriage to Buckingham Palace, greeted by 600,000 spectators. They later shared a memorable kiss on the balcony. The day ended with the newlyweds departing in a carriage decorated with a “just married” sign, marking the start of their honeymoon.

1. Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant

The wedding of Anant Ambani, 29, son of India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, to Radhika Merchant, 29, daughter of a pharmaceutical millionaire, happened on July 12, 2024. It was an event for the ages, costing a staggering $600 million.

Anant and Radhika’s wedding celebrations spanned several months. It has also garnered global attention for its sheer opulence. This lavish affair was marked by an extraordinary guest list featuring celebrities and politicians globally.

Present were David and Victoria Beckham, former British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Shah Rukh Khan and other Bollywood celebrities graced the occasion.

American celebrities including Kim and Khloé Kardashian made cameos at the wedding, which drew over 2,000 attendees. Mumbai resident Kareema Sethi said the festivities resembled a world-wide event.

“People talk about big Indian weddings but there’s never been anything like this before, with so many huge celebrities flying in from all over the world,” she stated. “It feels like the Oscars and a royal wedding all at the same time.”

They called the celebrations “India’s own royal wedding.” The Jio World Centre in Mumbai served as the venue. Billion blossoms covered this space, guaranteeing that everything visitors could touch was authentic.

The wedding coordinator, Preston Bailey, attested to the enormous scope of the flower arrangements. 14,000 people attended the three-day event, which featured customary rites including the “shubh ashirwad” and “mangal utsav.”

Radhika looked amazing in several different ensembles during the festivities. She was dressed in a stunning gown made of molten gold for the last reception. The Dolce & Gabbana dress has an embroidered satin skirt and a structured corset bodice.

Her outfit was enhanced by earrings and necklaces made of gold and diamonds. She was spotted wearing an Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla hand-embroidered bridal lehenga earlier in the festivities. The classic red-and-white outfit included a detachable train that measured seven feet.

Jewelry played a significant role in the wedding’s splendor. Both the bride and many guests showcased exquisite emerald pieces. These gemstones, deeply rooted in Indian tradition, symbolize wisdom, prosperity, and protection.

Jewelry dealer Lee Siegelson highlighted their importance in Indian culture. The dealer noted their association with royalty and their auspicious symbolism in weddings.

In addition to being the merger of two affluent families, Ambani and Merchant’s wedding was a magnificent showcase of India’s opulence and cultural diversity. It enthralled people worldwide and established new standards for lavishness and magnificence in wedding festivities.

Even though these incidents resemble fairy tales, they yet demonstrate the timeless power of love. They also demonstrate the will to remember it in the most unforgettable way. These marriages will live on, whether they are attended by well-known people or regular people. These are among the most spectacular festivities ever experienced.