Money

The Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings Of All Time

Alex Smith 32 min read Oct 19, 2023

Did you know the average cost of a wedding in the US in 2022 was $30,000? It turns out that celebrating your love can often cost a pretty penny, but that number can sometimes be nothing when it comes to the biggest stars in the world.

After all, the most expensive celebrity weddings of all time go to show that money really might not be an object to some people, especially when they have several thousands of dollars to burn. The question is: are those high price tags really worth it?

Antony Armstrong-Jones and Princess Margaret might have spent even more on their honeymoon

Year of Wedding: 1960
Cost of Wedding: $31,700 (approximately $212,000 today)

The wedding between Antony Armstrong-Jones and Princess Margaret might not have been one that was built to last, but it was one that will forever go down in history. After all, it was the first royal wedding to be shown on TV when the couple walked down the aisle in May 1960. Amazingly, 20,000 people tuned in.

It was a huge moment and one that allegedly cost $31,700, which might not seem like much for a royal bash. However, when you scale that up for inflation, it equals around $212,000 today. Amazingly, it’s reported Antony and Margaret’s honeymoon cost as much as double the price of the wedding, only for them to divorce in 1978.

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey spent most of their ceremony’s budget renting out Disneyland

Year of Wedding: 2013
Cost of Wedding: $180,000

It might not have been her first time down the aisle, but Mariah Carey didn’t hold back when it came to her second wedding with Nick Cannon. In fact, one of her vow renewals alone set the couple back a whopping $180,000. The couple actually wed in 2008, but 2013 marked the year they rented out Disneyland - literally.

Why worry about the crowds? That’s what Mariah and Nick seemingly thought, which is where most of the cost went. In fact, it’s said the cost of renting Disneyland - which only happens when the park is closed - starts at $135,000. Although Nick served as the DJ, add on the $3,150 Cinderella Crystal Carriage, and it soon adds up.

Brooks Laich and Julianne Hough used their impressive net worth for an even more impressive wedding day

Year of Wedding: 2017
Cost of Wedding: $232,000 - $236,000

What happens when two major stars come together? If you’re anything like Brooks Laich and Julianne Hough, you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars celebrating your big day. Playing in more than 750 NHL games means Celebrity Net Worth now puts Brooks’ net worth at an impressive $14 million. However, he’s not the only moneymaker in the family.

Julianne’s time as a professional dancer on the reality show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has her net worth at an impressive $10 million, which might explain how they spent between $232,000 and $236,000 on their big day. The pair wed in Idaho in 2017, with Julianne reportedly spending $20,000 on her Marchesa wedding dress alone.

Catherine Giudici and Sean Lowe had their quarter-of-a-million-dollar wedding covered by ABC

Year of Wedding: 2014
Cost of Wedding: $250,000

The reality show ‘The Bachelor’ might feel like it’s nothing more than fake feelings for the small screen to some, but sometimes, love really does find a way. That’s why the cameras were there to capture the moment the show’s stars, Catherine Giudici and Sean Lowe, made it down the aisle back in 2014 to the tune of $250,000.

ABC were the planners, with Catherine wearing a last-season Monique Lhuillier gown and Sean saying “I do” in a borrowed designer tux. Of course, being on the show meant the network was the one to foot the bill, with Sean telling Fresno Bee that “one of the perks” is how you get “a really nice ring for free.”

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman seemingly didn’t hold back with their gifts for their wedding guests

Year of Wedding: 2006
Cost of Wedding: $250,000

Both hailing from Australia meant it made perfect sense for Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman to return Down Under for their big day in 2006. For Nicole, it was her second time down the aisle, but that didn’t stop them from spending an estimated $250,000 on their wedding, with the actress wearing a stunning Balenciaga wedding down gown.

It might be little surprise the couple’s wedding list was filled with a host of Hollywood A-listers, with the pair asking for charitable donations instead of gifts. The twist? Nicole and Keith handed out custom Tiffany clocks as wedding favors, with each one engraved with “A Moment in Time.” With 230 guests, they alone could have easily cost $80,500.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie saved a lot of money but spent a lot more on their wedding day

Year of Wedding: 2014
Cost of Wedding: $354,000

Depending on how you look at it, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie either spent a fortune on their wedding - or they hosted it for practically nothing. Of course, this wasn’t Brad’s first time down the aisle, and it seemed as though the actor wanted to do something a little different when he finally walked down the aisle with Angelina.

The couple held the event on the grounds next to their French chateau, so that was free, as was the housing for their guests. The flowers were also picked by their children, so where did the $654,000 come from? That would be the $250,000 rings, $100,000 private jet costs for their guests, and $4,000 on food.

Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood transformed their quaint nuptials into something unbelievable

Year of Wedding: 2010
Cost of Wedding: $500,000

Certain aspects of Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood’s big day in 2010 were kept as low-key as possible, with the couple opting for a Southern affair. However, things quickly took a turn when they rented out all 251 rooms at the Ritz Carlton Lodge. Here, the couple enjoyed a lakeside wedding while their guests could enjoy the entire grounds.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Hollywood wedding without Carrie arriving by helicopter in her Monique Lhuillier gown that was covered in 3,000 handmade silk flowers dusted with crystals. From there, Carrie had another Lhuillier gown for the evening do, and even their dog had a Swarovski crystal-encrusted pink tux, all adding toward the final $500,000 bill.

Dayanara Torres and Marc Anthony spent an incredible amount renewing their vows after separating

Year of Wedding: 2002
Cost of Wedding: $500,000

Believe it or not, but Marc Anthony has walked down the aisle a total of four times throughout his life. It seems the singer-songwriter spent the most on his first vow renewal with Dayanara Torres after the pair first walked down the aisle in 2000. After all, the couple first wed at a super-secret ceremony in Las Vegas.

Two years later, it seemed Marc and Dayanara wanted something much grander, resulting in 200 guests flying with them to Puerto Rico. Dayanara wore a pearl and crystal-embroidered satin Reem Acra gown for the event that came just five months after they separated. However, things were over for good by 2004 when they finalized their divorce.

René Angélil and Céline Dion’s big day became a national moment across Canada

Year of Wedding: 1994
Cost of Wedding: $500,000

There are plenty of reasons that Céline Dion is considered to be Canadian Royalty. That was only cemented when the singer’s 1994 wedding was broadcast on Canadian TV for the nation to see. Here, fans of Céline and René Angélil got a glimpse into what a $500,000 wedding looks like when all is said and done.

Céline certainly didn’t hold back, with her 20-foot train and crystal-studded headpiece becoming the talk of the ceremony. Apparently, the headpiece alone weighed a whopping seven pounds as it was covered in 2,000 crystals, while the gown took more than 1,000 hours to bring to life. Perhaps that’s where most of the budget went?

Tommy Mottola and Mariah Carey were allegedly inspired by the Royals for their big day

Year of Wedding: 1993
Cost of Wedding: $500,000 (approximately $1 million today)

Mariah Carey might have spent a huge amount on her second marriage, but it was her first time down the aisle that really saw the singer splash the cash. That moment came in 1993 when she married Tommy Mottola to the tune of half a million dollars, with the pair going all out to recreate a royal bash.

It’s said the couple were highly inspired by Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding, with Mariah wearing a huge wedding gown that was complete with a replica tiara and a 27-foot train. It’s said Mariah and Tommy’s $500,000 budget would be close to $1 million in today’s money. Sadly, it wasn’t to last, as they divorced five years later.

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra quickly racked up the costs with their multiple ceremonies

Year of Wedding: 2018
Cost of Wedding: $584,000 - $800,000

What happens when two cultures come together? In the case of Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, it resulted in multiple weddings spanning multiple days. Eventually, the couple settled on three traditional Indian wedding ceremonies, as well as one traditional Christian wedding, with E! News estimating the entire thing cost the pair up to $800,000.

Others, such as Refinery29 and Brides, have a lower estimate at $584,000 for the celebrations, but there’s one thing we do know: the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which served as their wedding venue, costs a whopping $60,000 a night. Even the pre-wedding celebrations came with a hefty price tag of an estimated $61,000.

David and Victoria Beckham spared no expense for their Robin Hood-themed wedding

Year of Wedding: 1999
Cost of Wedding: $800,000 (approximately $1.5 million today)

From the star-studded guestlist to the Robin Hood theme, David and Victoria Beckham held nothing back when it came to their big day in 1999. The couple got married in an Irish castle that was surrounded by a huge stone wall for the ultimate feeling of privacy, with apples woven into the ivy arrangements to complete the theme.

Victoria stole the show in her $100,000 Vera Wang wedding gown - something that’s allegedly still in her closet for her daughter Harper’s big day - with the look complete with a gold and diamond-encrusted tiara. While David might have worn white for the ceremony, it’s hard to forget the incredible purple outfit change for the cutting of the cake.

Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian spent a fortune on a wedding after just one month together

Year of Wedding: 2009
Cost of Wedding: $1 million

Their marriage might not have lasted, but the nuptials shared between Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian is still one of the most memorable moments from the reality show ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ to date. Amazingly, they only dated for a month before walking down the aisle, but that didn’t stop them from spending a whopping $1 million.

Here, a huge portion of the budget went toward Khloé’s custom Vera Wang silk dress, perfectly paired with Jimmy Choos. At the time, TMZ reported E! footed the bill, which wouldn’t have been out of the question as it’s rumored the wedding was rushed before the end of season four of the show. Sadly, their marriage ended four years later.

Charlie Shanian and Tori Spelling ended up with quite the price tag for their 14-month marriage

Year of Wedding: 2004
Cost of Wedding: $1 million

Coming from one of Hollywood’s biggest families meant it made perfect sense to many that Tori Spelling spent $1 million on her big day when she married Charlie Shanian in 2004. The couple said their “I dos” at Tori’s family mansion, where 350 guests got to enjoy an incredible rose-covered gazebo complete with a trickling drinks fountain at the center.

The entire thing was 1920s-themed and completed with food from chef Wolfgang Puck, seeing that final price tag rise higher and higher. The entire night supposedly ended at 2:30 am with warm cookies and a glass of milk - and a $1 million bill. While it was a night to remember, the marriage was over 14 months later.

Adam Shulman and Anne Hathaway didn’t scrimp when it came to creating a rustic theme

Year of Wedding: 2012
Cost of Wedding: $1 million

With 180 guests and a total cost of $1 million, Adam Shulman and Anne Hathaway really pushed the boat out by spending $5,555 per head when they walked down the aisle in 2012. Amazingly, the couple chose a rustic theme for their big day, which must mean expensive in Hollywood speak. Still, it didn’t seem to dent the bank.

After all, Anne - according to Celebrity Net Worth - has an incredible net worth of $80 million, while Adam’s comes in at a cool $1 million. We guess with figures like those, you can justify spending $100,000 on flowers alone a little more. Thankfully, it’s a marriage that’s lasted so far, with the couple now sharing two children.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt hosted the celebrity wedding of the century before their 2005 divorce

Year of Wedding: 2000
Cost of Wedding: $1 million

If ever there was a power couple, it was Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. Long before the days of Brangelina, this pair were the couple of the moment, which is how they ended up spending $1 million on their big day. Apparently, one of the most lavish details of the night came in the form of a caviar wall.

That wasn’t all, with the likes of Billy Preston and Melissa Etheridge performing. Of course, they weren’t the only celebrities, all of whom got to enjoy 50,000 tulips and roses, a lobster dinner, and a huge fireworks display for the night. Perhaps all those stars are how Brad and Jen ended up spending $100,000 on security alone?

Peter Andre and Katie Price had a huge wedding but might not have paid a dime

Year of Wedding: 2005
Cost of Wedding: $1.2 million

It’s tough to find someone more divisive in the British media than Katie Price. The former model turned reality star has certainly gotten the nation talking with her cosmetic procedures and many relationships, but none are quite as famous as her time with singer Peter Andre. Still, the news their day cost $1.2 million left many needing a seat.

The night event kicked off with a pink carpet and was complete with a carriage, a tunnel, and even Swarovski crystals scattered over tables. However, Katie admits they didn’t pay the final bill, as it was all covered by OK! Magazine. The result? The star says she barely saw most of the wedding as she was always posing for photos.

Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson appeared to spend most of their wedding budget dressing other people

Year of Wedding: 2014
Cost of Wedding: $1.4 million

Why celebrate your love for one day when you can stretch your wedding over four days instead? That was seemingly what Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson had in mind when they tied the knot in 2014. The event catered for 275 guests, with all of those meals potentially costing the couple up to $300,000 for the weekend.

Then came the ranch location which cost at least $150,000 for all the guests, the flowers which cost around $150,000, and the wedding gown which likely cost upwards of $30,000. Still, the most costly part of the entire $1.4 million final bill? Dressing all the groomsmen and bridesmaids, which supposedly cost $750,000 alone.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan found ways to incorporate 007 into their big day

Year of Wedding: 2001
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million

If there's one thing we've learned about celebrity weddings, it's that some will go to extreme lengths to keep the paparazzi away - unless they have an exclusive deal with a publication. That was the case for Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan when the pair wed in 2001. They met in 1994, and this was Pierce's second time getting married.

The wedding came at the peak of his 007 career and after the pair had already postponed their big day three times. Here, a seven-tiered cake really stole the show, with an ice sculpture of Rodin's The Kiss, a soundproofed abbey, and a car complete with 007 plates really seeing their $1.5 million budget go a long way.

Nicole Mitchell and Eddie Murphy used their wedding as a chance to give back to the community

Year of Wedding: 1993
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million

Inviting around 500 guests to their wedding meant that Nicole Mitchell and Eddie Murphy were never going to have a budget wedding. The couple walked down the aisle in 1993, but despite spending an estimated $1.5 million on their big day, it’s reported that the ceremony only took 16 minutes from start to finish.

The pair wed at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, with the venue alone costing a pretty penny. However, the couple did give back when the ceremony was through. Apparently, they donated all of the flowers used at the ceremony and reception to a local hospital. Sadly, the marriage lasted 13 years before the pair split in 2006.

Larry Fortensky and Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding marked the actress’ eighth time down the aisle

Year of Wedding: 1991
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million

One person who was no stranger to weddings was actress Elizabeth Taylor. Throughout her life, she was married eight times to seven different people, with her final coming in the form of construction worker Larry Fortensky. He was 20 years her junior and actually met when they were both in recovery before walking down the aisle in 1991.

It was a hugely star-studded event held at Michael Jackson’s famous Neverland Ranch, ultimately costing the pair a staggering $1.5 million. It took 100 security guards to watch over the event, including one former Israeli army officer. Still, the fame proved to be too much for Larry as the pair divorced five years later in 1996.

Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods spent much of their wedding budget on privacy measures

Year of Wedding: 2004
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren’s split might be the most famous aspect of their time together, but that didn’t stop the couple from spending $1.5 million on their big day back in 2004. The pair rented out an entire 200-room resort in Barbados to host their 120 guests, including Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, and even Oprah Winfrey.

Much of the budget went toward making things as private as possible, with the resort building plants and sheets of plywood to block the view of any circling journalists. It’s said Woods even hired the only helicopter company to ensure no one uninvited could travel to or from the island after continually denying rumors about the wedding for months.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas celebrated their love with hundreds of their friends

Year of Wedding: 2000
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million

When you rub shoulders with some of the best in the business, it only makes sense that they’re on the guestlist for your big day, right? That was the case for Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, who had the likes of Meg Ryan, Jack Nicholson, and Goldie Hawn there to celebrate their love back in 2000.

The wedding saw 350 guests gather as they witnessed a 40-person Welsh choir serenade the entire service, but that wasn’t all. Having Art Garfunkel and Jimmy Buffet perform at the big day only upped the price tag, with Catherine and Michael ultimately spending $1.5 million on the ceremony, almost nothing compared to their combined net worth of $500 million.

Guy Ritchie and Madonna had some royal inspiration for certain aspects of their wedding

Year of Wedding: 2000
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million

What happens when you’re one of the queens of pop music? If you’re anything like Madonna, you take a leaf out of royalty’s books and wear a diamond tiara for your wedding. This wasn’t any normal tiara, either. Oh no, this was from 1910 and was once worn by none other than Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco.

Madonna’s 2000 wedding to Guy Ritchie was a more modest affair compared to some other celebrities, with the couple booking out all 21 rooms at Scotland’s Skibo Castle. Here, the singer spent an estimated $80,000 on her Stella McCartney wedding gown before dancing the night away at the castle’s recession. Sadly, they divorced in 2008.

Jamie Hince and Kate Moss spent millions of dollars to enjoy their three-day wedding

Year of Wedding: 2011
Cost of Wedding: $1.6 million

Having a wedding that spans multiple days seems to be common among celebrities, and that’s precisely what Jamie Hince and Kate Moss did when they tied the knot in 2011. In fact, their wedding lasted three days and is rumored to have cost as much as $1.6 million. So, where did all of that budget go on the celebration?

The fact that Bryan Ferry, Iggy Pop, Shirley Bassey, Snoop Dogg, and Beth Ditto all performed at the wedding certainly helped. Then there’s the fact that guests were treated to an expensive drinks fountain and a six-tiered wedding cake. The wedding might have been a huge affair, but the marriage was over by 2016 when Kate and Jamie split.

Gregg and NeNe Leakes hosted a much grander wedding the second time down the aisle

Year of Wedding: 2013
Cost of Wedding: $1.8 million

Even though Gregg and NeNe Leakes split in 2011 after 14 years of marriage, it looked as though the second time was the charm as they walked back down the aisle in 2013. This time, it’s rumored the couple spent $1.8 million bringing their celebration to life in front of 400 guests at the InterContinental Hotel in Atlanta.

The ‘Real Housewives’ reality star earned a 10-carat diamond wedding ring to sit alongside her 15.2-carat engagement ring, the perfect accessories for NeNe’s $50,000 Baracci wedding gown. A 10-tiered wedding cake brought the evening to a close, but sadly, things took a turn in 2021 when Gregg lost his life to cancer at 66 years old.

David Furnish and Elton John really pushed the boat out with their second ceremony

Year of Wedding: 2014
Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million - $2 million

They say go big or go home, and that’s precisely what David Furnish and Elton John did when they walked down the aisle in 2014. The couple have been together since 1993 and were one of the first to enjoy a civil partnership in the UK when the law changed in 2005. Then, on their ninth anniversary, their wedding came.

Once again, this was in line with the law change in 2014, and they spared no expense. An estimated 600 guests - including Sharon Stone, Donatella Versace, and the Beckhams - all arrived at the pair’s Windsor mansion. Here, $130,000 worth of food and drink fueled the night while the grooms both showed off designer suits for the event.

Jordan Bratman and Christina Aguilera brought a winter-themed wedding to life for their big day

Year of Wedding: 2005
Cost of Wedding: $2 million

While plenty of couples want a summer wedding, Jordan Bratman and Christina Aguilera settled for a winter wonderland-themed bash for their wedding day to bring something a little different to life. Here, wedding planner Michael Gapinskihe was in charge of the entire event that saw an estate in Napa Valley completely transform for the big celebration.

The entire thing was dripping in expensive details, such as amaryllis, birch trees, roses, and white hydrangeas. Jordan and Christina even enjoyed custom-made chandeliers made from branches while DJ AM kept 150 guests entertained all night long. The wedding might have cost an estimated $2 million, but the romance ended in divorce in 2011, ending their eight-year romance.

Arun Nayar and Elizabeth Hurley were always going to have a high bill with their two wedding ceremonies

Year of Wedding: 2007
Cost of Wedding: $2.5 million

When you host two weddings in two different countries, there’s a good chance the bill will always be high. Still, that didn’t seem to bother Arun Nayar and Elizabeth Hurley, with Celebrity Net Worth putting the heir’s net worth at $200 million and the actress’ at $50 million. Apparently, tradition was key when it came to this couple’s celebrations.

Their traditional English wedding saw the pair transform a castle for the big day, while their event in Jodhpur, India, meant it was time to jet across the world for ceremony number two. Ultimately, the two ceremonies set the pair back an estimated $2.5 million, but Arun and Elizabeth were only married for four years before they divorced.

Daniel Westling and Crown Princess Victoria dominated Sweden with their royal wedding

Year of Wedding: 2010
Cost of Wedding: $2.6 million

Sweden stood still in 2010 for a very royal affair as Daniel Westlng and Crown Princess Victoria walked down the aisle at the Storkyrkan Cathedral in Stockholm, the same place Victoria’s parents got married precisely 34 years earlier. Amazingly, 200,000 people lined the streets, and a further five million tuned in at home to enjoy the big day.

Here, they got to see where the estimated 20 million kronor (approximately $2.6 million) went, with it being reported that 10 million kronor came from the government. The rest? That was covered by the King, with insiders admitting the guests all needed food and entertainment, while the palace furniture needed rearranging and sprucing up for the event.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III combined Hollywood and royalty perfectly for their big day

Year of Wedding: 1956
Cost of Wedding: At least $2.8 million (approximately $31.7 million today)

After taking the world of Hollywood by storm, Grace Kelly stepped into the Royal Family when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. While there might not be an official breakdown of what the couple spent on their big day, we do know that Grace’s wedding gown was made from 100 yards of top-quality silk.

The dress alone cost an estimated $8,000, which would be more than $100,000 today. Her millionaire father also had to provide a dowry of $2 million before Grace was allowed to join the Royal Family. Although he protested that cost at first, Grace’s father eventually relented, leading to one of the more opulent royal weddings.

Heather Mills and Paul McCartney spent millions on their wedding - and millions more on the divorce

Year of Wedding: 2002
Cost of Wedding: $3 million

Coming from the Beatles meant that Paul McCartney was used to a life in the limelight, which proved to be a problem during his second time down the aisle. The musician married model Heather Mills in 2002, with the pair having to ignore the helicopters buzzing overhead as they said “I do” in a remote castle in Ireland.

Here, 300 guests got to enjoy the show, but there was a catch: Paul and Heather only had vegetarian options on the menu. Heather enjoyed wearing a lace dress she designed herself while Paul’s song ‘Heather’ serenaded the church. They spent $3 million on the wedding, but their $48.6 million divorce cost Paul a whole lot more in 2008.

Marc Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton spent a considerable amount of their budget on security for their wedding

Year of Wedding: 2010
Cost of Wedding: $3 million

The children of former Presidents of the United States are often the closest thing people in the US have to a Royal Family, which is why security was such a high priority when Marc Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton walked down the aisle in 2010. The couple said their “I dos” in Rhinebeck, New York, in front of 400 guests.

There was a lot of speculation about where the $3 million budget went, with Chelsea’s custom Vera Wang wedding dress thought to have cost $20,000. The Sylvia Weinstock wedding cake could have also set them back $20,000, while the flowers and security are thought to have cost Chelsea and Marc back a whopping $250,000 apiece.

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise had a rather designer theme in mind for their Italian wedding

Year of Wedding: 2006
Cost of Wedding: $3 million

Who can forget Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch as he professed his love for Katie Holmes? The stars were one of the biggest couples at the start of the century and quickly married in 2006 to the tune of $3 million. Still, if you want an Italian wedding, you need to be prepared to pay the price.

Katie wore not one but two Giorgio Armani-designed gowns for the night, with it reported the Swarovski crystals took 350 hours to place on Katie’s dress for the ceremony. In fact, every guest at the event wore Armani for the big night, but all of that money quickly went down the drain when the couple split in 2006.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie's big day came hot off the heels of another royal wedding

Year of Wedding: 2018
Cost of Wedding: $3.3 million

Just as the world was getting over another huge Royal Family wedding, Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie walked down the aisle in 2018. The couple even used the same venue - Windsor Castle - for their big day, with the family remaining pretty tight-lipped about how much the event truly cost. Still, it's estimated it came in at around $3.3 million.

Harper's Bazaar now estimates that Eugenie's wedding dress likely cost $135,000 at the low end of the scale as the dress was probably designed specifically for the princess. Of course, by the time you factor in the food, entertainment, flowers, and security, the total bill for Jack and Eugenie's wedding starts to make a bit more sense.

David Gest and Liza Minnelli spent an incredible amount on a marriage that lasted just one year

Year of Wedding: 2002
Cost of Wedding: $3.5 million

Liza Minnelli was more than practiced at walking down the aisle by the time her wedding with David Gest rolled around. After all, she had been married three times before, with their 2002 ceremony marking husband number four. Perhaps in a bid to outdo everyone else in Hollywood, the couple said “I do” in front of 850 people.

That famous kiss certainly turned a few heads, but the idea of having Elizabeth Taylor - who just so happened to be the maid of honor - Joan Collins and Michael Jackson at the wedding more than got people talking. As if that wasn’t enough, Liza and David had a 60-piece orchestra, but their marriage was over after just one year.

François Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek didn't hold back with their second wedding ceremony

Year of Wedding: 2009
Cost of Wedding: $3.6 million

Initially, it seemed that François Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek weren't too bothered about having a big wedding ceremony. After all, the couple tied the knot in Paris at a courthouse on Valentine's Day in 2009. That came as quite a surprise to many, especially as Forbes estimates François' net worth could be as much as $34.8 billion.

Just two months later, the couple debuted a wedding most expected to see with ceremony number two in Venice. Here, it's estimated the couple could have spent as much as $3.6 million, hiring out the oldest opera house in Europe to mark the occasion. Apparently, Salma's second dress could have cost as much as $434,000.

Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara had flowers almost everywhere you looked at their wedding

Year of Wedding: 2015
Cost of Wedding: $4 million

One thing many people forget is that Sofia Vergara’s wedding in 2015 was actually her second marriage. This time, she said “I do” with Joe Manganiello, but the second time’s the charm seemed to be the idea here as the couple might have spent as much as $4 million on their big day - well, big three days.

Like many others, Sofia and Joe spent multiple days celebrating with their friends and family, opting for a Zuhair Murad princess dress for the big moment. Event planner Mindy Weiss was behind it all, with every inch of the room dripping in flowers. Unfortunately, the couple announced they were splitting in 2023 after almost eight years of marriage.

Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham had billions of dollars to make their dream wedding come true

Year of Wedding: 2022
Cost of Wedding: $4 million

The Beckhams sure do know how to throw a party, which is why few people were surprised when Victoria and David’s son Brooklyn spent as much as $4 million when he married Nicola Peltz in 2022. However, with Nicola’s father being billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz - estimated to be worth $1.5 billion - it might be little surprise.

The pair said their vows in Nelson’s Palm Beach mansion, estimated to be worth $103 million alone. Then there was the wedding dress, which was designed by Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli for Nicola. Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebrity wedding at this point without a huge guestlist, with Gordon Ramsay, Eva Longoria, and the Williams sisters all making an appearance.

Amal and George Clooney spent most of their wedding budget on housing their guests in Italy

Year of Wedding: 2014
Cost of Wedding: $4.6 million

On the surface, the idea of spending $4.6 million on a wedding is something most of us can’t imagine, but what about when $3 million of that goes toward housing your guests? That was the case when Amal and George Clooney tied the knot in 2014 as the couple opted for an Italian getaway for their big day.

Here, the 100 guests got to enjoy a wedding held at The Aman Hotel, which is thought to cost up to $300,000 to rent out fully furnished. With a five-course dinner setting Amal and George back $300 a person - totaling $30,000 - and the custom Alexander McQueen gown costing $380,000, that $4.6 million quickly gets swallowed up.

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake went to incredible lengths to keep their big day a secret

Year of Wedding: 2012
Cost of Wedding: $6.5 million

Being so desperate to keep things private meant Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake’s 100 guests had no idea where they were even going for the wedding. All they knew was they were flying to Frankfurt before they were whisked down to Italy for several days of celebrating. Once here, they got to see what $6.5 million gets you.

Jessica immediately broke boundaries by wearing a fuchsia and pink wedding gown, telling Elle she has never “been crazy about all-white wedding dresses.” This choice alone is said to have cost the pair $100,000. However, they didn’t have to spend money on entertainment, as Justin serenaded Jessica with an original song when she walked down the aisle.

Marie-Chantal Miller and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece created a stunning Greek wedding in London

Year of Wedding: 1995
Cost of Wedding: $8 million

They might not be a part of the British Royal Family, but that didn’t stop Marie-Chantal Miller and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece from getting married in London back in 1995. The couple did so at St. Sophia’s Cathedral, where Marie-Chantal wore a pearl-encrusted Valentino wedding dress that was complete with a 13-foot Chantilly lace train.

Amazingly, it’s said it took 25 seamstresses four months to create the gown, but that’s not all. Event planner and florist Robery Isabell admitted in an interview he made “a Greek temple and garden” as the theme for the wedding, with everything setting Prince Pavlos’ parents back a total of $8 million for the event.

Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian spent almost $139,000 per day of their marriage

Year of Wedding: 2011
Cost of Wedding: $10 million

Kim Kardashian’s relationships have long dominated the headlines, with her second wedding causing quite the storm. Amazingly, it wasn’t the $10 million price tag that got people talking but the fact that she and NBA player Kris Humphries split after just 72 days of being married. This moment came after the pair had been dating for just six months.

Like other Kardashian weddings, it was a two-part special of their reality show ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians,’ with Kim’s mom, Kris Jenner, allegedly trying to stop the wedding the night before. It didn’t work, and the pair said “I do” in front of 440 guests. Apparently, Kris was initially seeking $7 million in the divorce but reportedly got nothing.

Yvette Prieto and Michael Jordan helped charities following their big day

Year of Wedding: 2013
Cost of Wedding: $10 million

Being a former basketball star and having a net worth of $2 billion, according to Forbes, meant Michael Jordan had more than enough money to burn when it came to his 2013 wedding with model Yvette Prieto. Amazingly, a lot of their day was also focused on charity, with the couple asking for charitable donations as wedding gifts.

It’s said Michael and Yvette also donated their wedding flowers to Jupiter Medical Center by the time the ceremony was through. That didn’t stop 300 people from making their way to the $10 million big day, with the likes of Robin Thicke and Usher just some of the people who performed at the wedding reception.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian threw an expensive pre-wedding party before the ceremony

Year of Wedding: 2014
Cost of Wedding: $12 million

When it came to her third wedding, it’s said that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West spent $2.8 million on the wedding ceremony and its reception. However, they had a big pre-wedding event in Paris that saw the total cost of the event shoot up to a total estimated bill of $12 million. So, where did it all go?

Kim's Givenchy wedding dress reportedly cost $500,000, with another half a million coming from transporting everyone to Europe and renting out Florence’s Belvedere Fort. From there, it’s estimated the flowers cost as much as $136,000, the pre-wedding dinner cost $4,100, and hair and makeup for the day cost another $65,000 - not including the huge hotel bill.

Kate Middleton and Prince William spent most of their huge budget on security for the day

Year of Wedding: 2011
Cost of Wedding: $34 million

When you’re a part of the Royal Family, it really is all about going big or going home. Kate Middleton and Prince William saw the world stand still for their big day in 2011, which might not be so surprising when you remember that he is currently next in line to the throne after King Charles.

Although the wedding is estimated to have cost $34 million, it’s believed $33 million of that went toward security. From there, another $80,000 went toward Kate and William’s two cakes - a chocolate cookie groom’s cake and a more traditional white buttercream wedding cake - and $800,000 went toward bringing their two receptions to life.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry held one of the most expensive royal weddings of all time

Year of Wedding: 2018
Cost of Wedding: $45.8 million

Coming hot off the heels of Kate and William’s big day was Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding. Being the second of the brothers to walk down the aisle meant it was never going to be a small affair, even if there is only a slim chance that Harry will ever take the throne as king.

Amazingly, that didn’t stop the couple from blowing William’s wedding budget out of the water, as it’s estimated Harry and Meghan spent $45.8 million on their big day. Once again, most of that went on security - an estimated $43 million - while $157,600 was estimated to have been on flowers and another $686,000 on food and drink.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles might have had the most costly wedding in the British Royal Family

Year of Wedding: 1981
Cost of Wedding: $48 million (approximately $110 million today)

It comes to something when your big day is dubbed the “wedding of the century.” However, that was instantly the case for Princess Diana and Prince Charles when they walked down the aisle in 1981. After all, it’s estimated that 750 million people tuned in to watch the ceremony, especially when the world caught a glimpse of Diana’s gown.

The 25-foot train really stole the show, especially as it was covered in 10,000 pearls. Even though most of the estimated $48 million budget - thought to be around $110 million in today’s money - was spent on security, Diana and Charles also had plenty of money left over for their five-foot-tall 225-pound wedding cake at the reception.

Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert II threw an even more elaborate wedding than his late father

Year of Wedding: 2011
Cost of Wedding: $70 million

2011 really was the year to get married, as it also marked the year that Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert III of Monaco walked down the aisle. The moment came 55 years after Albert’s late father wed Grace Kelly, and just like their wedding, they spared no expense when it came to bringing their dream ceremony to life.

It’s estimated that the entire day cost the couple $70 million, with a “more elaborate religious ceremony” held after their first wedding at the royal palace in Monaco. Amazingly, people had been whispering about Albert having cold feet before the wedding, and rumors circulated he was going to call it off. The twist? They’re still together today.

Princess Salama and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan might have the most expensive wedding of them all

Year of Wedding: 1981
Cost of Wedding: $100 million

When it comes to the most expensive wedding of all time, that title might just go to Princess Salama and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. After all, it’s estimated that the big day could have set the pair back a staggering $100 million by the time everything was said and done, putting them firmly at the top.

Most of the budget went toward a 20,000-seat stadium that was built by Mohammed’s parents for the day, with the celebrations lasting an entire week. In fact, the groom rode through every town on horseback to celebrate with his subjects, while 20 jewel-laden camels reportedly carried the pair’s wedding gifts to them on the day.

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