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

Celebrities often indulge in extravagant celebrations, particularly when it comes to their weddings. Yet, this time, private individuals have outdone even the most opulent celebrity weddings, earning the spotlight for the most expensive wedding celebration in history.

Throughout the years, public figures have marked their nuptials with grandeur and flair. Their weddings, known for their lavish ceremonies, distinctive fashion choices, and spectacular entrances, have etched themselves into history.

From gourmet dining experiences to stunning wedding gowns and ceremonies costing $600 million, here are ten of the most expensive weddings involving celebrities of all time.

10. Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary with a grand vow renewal at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The event took place at the iconic Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, a location available for rent only when the park is closed.

Renting the castle alone cost the couple a minimum of $135,000, which included basic setup and decorations for both the ceremony and reception. The celebration featured unique touches, such as Cannon serving as the DJ during the post-ceremony party.

For their grand entrance, Carey and Cannon rode down Main Street in a horse-drawn Cinderella Crystal Carriage, costing $3,150 and complete with a personal footman.

The Fantasyland reception hosted 250 of their closest friends and family. With an average cost of $125 per person for dinner, plus a 22 percent service fee and an eight percent sales tax, the total cost of the reception alone reached significant figures.

Adding up all the expenses, including the venue, reception, and carriage, the total cost of their anniversary celebration was approximately $180,000. Jamie Ane Eubanks, owner of Magical Vacation Planner, described the ceremony as a “beautiful and fairy-tale renewal.”

9. Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher tied the knot in the picturesque town of Greensboro, Georgia. They brought the glitz and glam of Hollywood to their Southern wedding at the Ritz Carlton Lodge.

Renting out the entire resort, all 251 rooms, their wedding was an extravagant affair with a budget of $500,000. Underwood arrived in Greensboro in style, transported by 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.

Underwood’s wedding dress was a major point of speculation. Designers like Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Reem Acra were all contenders, but the final choice remained a closely guarded secret until the big day.

The wedding was a blend of Southern charm and Hollywood glamour, making it a memorable and talked-about event. The stunning location, luxurious accommodations, and high-profile guests made it an unforgettable celebration.

8. Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s wedding in Malibu remains one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings. Held over 20 years ago, the event was marked by its opulence and attention to detail.

Michael Rapaport, an actor and guest at the wedding, shared some unforgettable highlights, including a “wall of caviar,” on “Watch What Happens Live.” This luxurious feature left a lasting impression, illustrating the extravagance of the celebration.

The wedding, attended by approximately 200 guests, was a significant pop culture event. The celebration featured around 50,000 flowers, creating a stunning backdrop for the nuptials.

Throughout the night, various bands performed, providing entertainment and ensuring a lively atmosphere. The festivities culminated in a spectacular fireworks display, adding a magical touch to the evening. The wedding reportedly cost around $1 million.

7. Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas’s wedding on November 18, 2000, was a star-studded event held at New York City’s iconic Plaza Hotel. The ceremony, which cost between $1.5 and $2 million, attracted significant attention from well-wishers and paparazzi alike.

The couple arrived discreetly, entering the hotel’s grand ballroom through extensive security measures well before their celebrity guests. Over 250 guests attended the lavish event, which featured a cavalcade of limousines bringing Hollywood’s elite to the venue.

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 to donate to a charity fund established for the couple’s infant son, Dylan Michael, instead of bringing traditional wedding gifts.

Security was a top priority, with Douglas hiring a 40-man security team to support the Plaza Hotel’s security, New York police, and additional barricades. Identification screening tents were also set up to ensure the privacy and safety of the guests and the event.

Inside the ballroom, the black-tie affair was a blend of elegance and Hollywood glitz. The combination of celebrity guests, a luxurious venue, and meticulous planning made their wedding an unforgettable affair.

6. Grace Kelly & Prince Rainier III

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III’s wedding on April 19, 1956, in Monaco, remains one of the most iconic and glamorous nuptials in history. Interestingly, the Oscar-winning actress had to fork out a $2 million dowry (roughly $20 million today) in order to marry the Prince.

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

Broadcast live by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, it captivated more than 30 million viewers worldwide. The ceremony was attended by over 600 guests who witnessed the union of Hollywood royalty and Monégasque royalty.

Kelly’s wedding dress, designed by Helen Rose of MGM Studios, has become one of the most famous bridal gowns of all time. The high-neck lace gown, featuring long sleeves and a 10.5-foot train, set a timeless precedent for bridal fashion.

Kelly’s 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.

The dress, kept under strict security at MGM’s wardrobe department, was a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication, reflecting Kelly’s impeccable taste. The wedding ceremony itself was a grand affair that left a lasting impact on Monaco and the world.

The couple’s departure from the festivities was as grand as the wedding itself. They left in a Rolls-Royce, a gift from the people of Monaco, and embarked on their honeymoon aboard the yacht Deo Juvante II. This luxurious send-off was the perfect conclusion to a day filled with opulence and romance.

5. Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes exchanged vows in November 2006, in a spectacular wedding held at Odescalchi Castle in Rome. The event cost over $3 million.

It was a star-studded affair, attended by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, David and Victoria Beckham, and Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Photographer Robert Evans, who covered the event, noted that the celebration spanned two days before the actual wedding ceremony.

With around 150 guests invited, the event was both intimate and grand, blending 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, which was reflected in the candid and natural photographs.

4. George & Amal Clooney

George and Amal Clooney’s wedding in Italy was an opulent affair that reportedly cost nearly $4.6 million. The festivities took place at the luxurious Cipriani Hotel and The Aman Hotel, where they spared no expense to ensure a memorable experience for their guests.

The majority 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.

The main event, held at The Aman Hotel, was an extravagant affair. Renting the venue for the reception cost $250,000, with lighting, table rentals, and other production costs adding another $300,000.

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.

For his wedding day, George wore a custom-made Giorgio Armani suit, which cost over $5,000. Amal stunned in a custom-made Alexander McQueen dress designed by Sarah Burton, which was priced at $380,000. These bespoke outfits added a touch of high fashion to the already luxurious event.

Transportation was meticulously planned, with boats at the ready for three days to shuttle guests around Venice. This service, costing $400 per hour, totaled $36,500. The convenience and elegance of boat transport contributed significantly to the overall expense.

The beverage selection was equally lavish. The couple provided 250 bottles of champagne at $200 each, totaling $50,000, and 200 bottles of Grey Goose vodka for $8,000. Although they received 600 bottles of Casamigos Tequila for free, it would have cost them $30,000.

The variety of premium drinks ensured that guests enjoyed the celebration to the fullest. Before the wedding, George and Amal each had separate gatherings with friends.

George’s bachelor party at Da Ivo restaurant with seven friends cost about $1,750, excluding alcohol. Meanwhile, Amal’s dinner with 10 friends cost around $2,000. These pre-wedding celebrations were a prelude to the grand events that followed.

The festivities continued into Sunday, with the newlyweds hosting lunch and dinner for their guests at Cipriani. These additional gatherings cost nearly $15,000, not including alcohol.

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

Catherine Middleton and Prince William’s wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, was a grand affair with an estimated cost of $38 million. The event highlighted the lavish spending typical of royal weddings, contributing to the wedding industry’s estimated worth of $19.7 billion in 2022.

The floral arrangements alone were estimated to have cost $875,000. An additional $87,000 was spent on two wedding cakes, showcasing the couple’s taste for luxury and tradition.

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

Kate’s dress featured English Cluny lace and French Chantilly lace, with a small piece of blue fabric sewn inside for her “something blue.” The gown had a 9-foot-long train and padded hips designed to resemble an opening flower.

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.

The wedding ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, conducted by the Dean of Westminster, with the Archbishop of Canterbury marrying the couple. Kate traveled by car from the Goring Hotel to Parliament Square with her father, while the Abbey aisle was lined with eight 20-foot-high trees.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds traveled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, greeted by members of the public along the way. The Queen hosted a reception for the couple and their guests at Buckingham Palace, followed by a private dinner hosted by Prince Charles in the evening.

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

King Charles III and Princess Diana’s $48 million wedding, held on July 29, 1981, was dubbed the “wedding of the century” for its grandiosity and cultural impact. The ceremony took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, a venue chosen for its beauty and capacity to accommodate 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, as well as notable figures like Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, added to the grandeur.

Princess Diana’s wedding dress was a masterpiece of early 1980s fashion, crafted from ivory silk taffeta and adorned with 10,000 micro pearls. The gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured a 25-foot-long train, 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, including 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, a tradition started after Queen Elizabeth lost her wedding flowers.

The wedding party featured two pageboys and five bridesmaids, 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 newly-weds 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, took place 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 and garnered global attention for its sheer opulence. This lavish affair was marked by an extraordinary guest list featuring celebrities and politicians from around the world.