Celebrity weddings are a lavish show of love, wealth, and luxury, from grand venues to expensive gowns, private performances, and high-end security.
Some of the most extravagant ceremonies in history include Khadija Uzhakhov’s & Said Gutseriev’s iconic wedding, Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant’s $600 million celebration, and Isha Ambani & Anand Piramal’s wedding, which cost over $100 million. These weddings weren’t just events; they were global spectacles.
In this article, I’ll explore the most expensive celebrity weddings, who tops the list, and what made their wedding so costly.
Top 10 Celebrities Who Had An Expensive Wedding
Some celebrity weddings aren’t just personal milestones; they’re often highly publicized and grand. The following list ranks the top ten most expensive celebrity weddings, with costs sourced from various reports and adjusted for inflation.
The ranking is based purely on the estimated total cost of the events.
| Rank | Couple | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khadija Uzhakhovs & Said Gutseriev | $1 billion |
| 2 | Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant | $600 million |
| 3 | Isha Ambani & Anand Piramal | ~$100 million |
| 4 | Amit Bhatia & Vanisha Mittal | $55 million |
| 5 | Prince Charles & Princess Diana | $48 million (~$166m adj.) |
| 6 | Prince Harry & Meghan Markle | $45 million |
| 7 | Prince William & Kate Middleton | $33 million |
| 8 | Angelababy & Huang Xiaoming | $31 million |
| 9 | Adel Sajan & Sana Khan | $27 million |
| 10 | Sanjay Hinduja & Anu Mahtani | $23 million |
We will now get into the details of these lavish celebrity weddings.
1. Khadija Uzhakhovs & Said Gutseriev
The wedding of Said Gutseriev, son of a Russian oligarch, to Khadija Uzhakhov was a spectacular event. The Moscow celebration reportedly featured performances by global icons Jennifer Lopez, Sting, and Enrique Iglesias.
The bride was a vision in a custom-beaded Elie Saab gown, perfectly complementing the fairytale setting that included a nine-tier cake and a fleet of Rolls-Royces for the guests.
2. Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant
The union of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant set a new benchmark for extravagant weddings. Their multi-day celebration was a global affair, with a pre-wedding cruise in Europe entertaining Hollywood and Bollywood’s elite.
The main event in Mumbai was a traditional yet grand spectacle, showcasing the Ambani family’s immense wealth and influence on a global stage.
3. Isha Ambani & Anand Piramal
When the daughter of India’s richest man marries, the world watches. Isha Ambani’s wedding to Anand Piramal was a week-long extravaganza that unfolded across Lake Como, Udaipur, and Mumbai.
The festivities included a private concert by Beyoncé and a guest list that comprised global business leaders, politicians, and Bollywood royalty, epitomizing a modern-day royal wedding.
4. Amit Bhatia & Vanisha Mittal
The wedding of Vanisha Mittal, daughter of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, to Amit Bhatia was a Parisian dream. The multi-day affair included a lavish engagement ceremony at the Palace of Versailles and a spectacular reception at the 17th-century Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Guests were treated to a performance by Kylie Minogue and a stunning fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower.
5. Prince Charles & Princess Diana
A fairytale wedding that captivated a global audience of 750 million, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was a momentous occasion.
Diana’s iconic ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with its 25-foot train, became a defining fashion moment. The ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral was a grand display of British royal tradition and pageantry.
6. Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
Fusing royal tradition with Hollywood glamour, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle was a historic event. Meghan’s elegant Givenchy gown and the couple’s genuine affection connected with millions worldwide.
The ceremony was a beautiful blend of British customs and African-American culture, reflecting the couple’s modern and inclusive approach.
7. Prince William & Kate Middleton
The marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey was a majestic display of royal heritage and contemporary romance. Kate’s stunning Alexander McQueen lace gown was an instant classic.
The day was filled with iconic moments, from the carriage procession to the balcony kiss at Buckingham Palace, watched by an estimated global audience of two billion people.
8. Angelababy & Huang Xiaoming
Chinese superstars Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming’s wedding was a cinematic production brought to life. The lavish Shanghai ceremony featured a holographic castle, a ten-foot-tall wedding cake, and a custom Dior gown for the bride that took five months to create.
The event was a testament to the couple’s immense popularity and the booming entertainment industry in China.
9. Sanjay Hinduja & Anu Mahtani
Udaipur, the city of lakes, witnessed the spectacular union of British-Indian billionaire Sanjay Hinduja and designer Anu Mahtani. The star-studded affair saw performances by international artists Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Scherzinger.
The wedding was a seamless blend of traditional Indian ceremonies with the extravagance of a global power couple, leaving a lasting impression on the elite guest list.
10. Adel Sajan & Sana Khan
Setting a new trend for destination weddings, Adel Sajan and Sana Khan exchanged vows aboard a luxury cruise ship sailing between Spain, France, and Italy. The four-day celebration was a non-stop party with themed nights, elaborate feasts, and performances by Bollywood stars.
This unique wedding concept offered guests an unforgettable experience against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
Notable Celebrities Weddings
Now that we have covered the most expensive celebrity weddings, let’s have a look at some notable celebrities’ weddings.
| Celebrity Couple | Reported Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto (2013) | $10 Million |
| Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello (2015) | $4 Million |
| Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (2006) | $3.5 Million |
| Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (2014) | $2.8 Million |
| Madonna and Guy Ritchie (2000) | $2.8 Million (higher adjusted for inflation) |
Let’s examine the cost of these weddings and what factors contributed to their expense.
1. Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto
Basketball legend Michael Jordan married American model Yvette Prieto in 2013, in a lavish Florida ceremony that reportedly cost $10 million. The event attracted a host of A-list celebrities from the sporting world and beyond, gathering in the exclusive locale of Jupiter, Florida.
The reception, held at the Bear’s Club in Jupiter, famously featured what is believed to be one of the largest wedding tents in history, reported to be over 450 square meters bigger than Jordan’s own house.
2. Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello
Actress Sofia Vergara and actor Joe Manganiello tied the knot in 2015 in a spectacular ceremony that cost an estimated $4.3 million. Vergara wore a stunning ivory lace-brocaded Zuhair Murad gown for her wedding to Manganiello, a custom-made creation that truly stood out.
The grand celebration took place at The Breakers Palm Beach resort in Florida, an opulent oceanside venue. The event featured a colossal five-tier cake and elaborate catering for over 350 guests, ensuring a feast for all attendees.
3. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Inside the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Central Italy, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were married in 2006 in a traditional Scientology ceremony that reportedly cost $4.4 million.
As one of the richest actors in the world, Cruise chose a historic and picturesque castle that provided a dramatic setting for their high-profile union.
The guest list featured some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Jennifer Lopez, Brooke Shields, and John Travolta, adding to the celebrity allure. The ceremony was serenaded by the renowned Andrea Bocelli, further elevating the grandeur of the event.
4. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
At the time, it was one of the most discussed celebrity weddings. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West spared little expense for their Florentine wedding in 2014, with a reported cost of $4.1 million.
The couple married at Forte di Belvedere, a glamorous 16th-century fortress in Florence, Italy, which alone cost approximately 300,000 Euros (around $490,000 AUD) to rent.
Adding to the cost, Kardashian wore a custom Givenchy Haute Couture gown designed by Riccardo Tisci, reportedly worth over $730,000, while West, considered one of the most influential musicians of his generation, also wore Givenchy.
5. Madonna and Guy Ritchie
The wedding between pop star Madonna and director Guy Ritchie in 2000 was an expectedly massive affair, with a reported cost of $2.8 million at the time (which would be significantly higher adjusted for inflation today).
The couple chose to marry at Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands, an exclusive and historic venue that provided a private and opulent setting for their celebration. Madonna’s custom Stella McCartney gown cost a reported $117,000, designed with a gothic inspiration.
Most Expensive Royal British Wedding
The title of the most expensive celebrity wedding goes to Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Their 1981 royal ceremony cost an estimated $48 million (approximately $170 million today), featuring a 25-foot gown train, 27 wedding cakes, and global media coverage. Much of the cost stemmed from high-security measures and traditional royal protocols.
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Conclusion: Prince Charles and Princess Diana Had A $48 Million Wedding in 1981
The trend of luxurious and expensive weddings is led by celebrities like Khadija Uzhakhovs & Said Gutseriev, whose wedding remains the most expensive among celebrities.
Following them are indian celebrities like Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant, whose weddings also had massive costs, and artists from all over the world came to attend this wedding.
Beyond celebrities, the most expensive royal wedding remains that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, costing an inflation-adjusted $170 million, largely due to massive security operations.
Which wedding surprised you the most? Share this article with your friends and vote on which couple had the most extravagant celebration of all time!
FAQs
The wedding of Khadija Uzhakhovs and Said Gutseriev tops the list, with an estimated cost of a staggering $1 billion.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana hold that title, with their 1981 ceremony costing an estimated $48 million, about $170 million today.
Much of the immense cost was due to extensive high-security measures required for the event and adherence to traditional royal protocols.
The festivities for Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal’s wedding included a memorable private concert performance by the global superstar Beyoncé.
They set a new trend by celebrating their four-day wedding aboard a luxury cruise ship sailing across the Mediterranean Sea.
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