Luxury in love: The billion-dollar weddings that redefined extravagance

Weddings have always been a momentous occasion, but some couples take their celebrations to the next level with mind-boggling extravagance. From celebrity unions to royal ceremonies, some weddings have redefined luxury, spending unimaginable sums to create unforgettable events. Below are some of the most expensive weddings in history, showcasing the opulence, grandeur, and sheer extravagance that accompany these lavish celebrations.

The $1 Billion Moscow wedding: Gutseriev and Uzhakhova

In 2016, the wedding of Russian oil heir Said Gutseriev to Khadija Uzhakhova took the concept of luxury to new heights, with an estimated cost of $1 billion. The event was a spectacle of excess, featuring an Elie Saab gown encrusted with diamonds, weighing 25 pounds, and costing over $1 million. Performances by international superstars like Jennifer Lopez, Sting, and Enrique Iglesias followed, turning the event into a glamorous, star-studded affair. This wedding remains one of the most expensive and extravagant nuptials ever recorded.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ fairytale wedding

Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, dubbed the "wedding of the century," captured the world’s attention with an estimated cost of $48 million. Watched by 750 million people worldwide, Diana’s wedding symbolized the fairytale dreams of millions. Her 25-foot-long train remains the longest in royal history. Adjusting for inflation, this wedding would cost nearly $170 million today, highlighting the immense grandeur and public fascination with this monumental event.

Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Windsor Castle wedding

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding at Windsor Castle combined traditional British royalty with an American flair, making it one of the most expensive royal weddings, with an estimated cost of $45 million. The cost of security alone was nearly $40 million, making it one of the most protected weddings in history. The global live-streamed wedding, featuring a star-studded guest list, was a modern fairy tale come to life, further cementing the couple's place in history.

Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia’s Paris extravaganza

Business magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s daughter, Vanisha Mittal, tied the knot with banker Amit Bhatia in 2024, and their wedding was a spectacle of opulence, with an estimated cost of $66 million. The extravagant week-long Paris celebration included a private performance by Kylie Minogue and a lavish show at the Palace of Versailles. The Mittals spared no expense, sending invitations in silver boxes via courier to 1,000 elite guests, making this wedding a true display of luxury and refinement.

Kate Middleton & Prince William’s royal wedding

The wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2011 captured global attention and is often considered the epitome of royal weddings. The estimated cost of $34 million included extravagant arrangements, with Westminster Abbey as the venue and over 72 million people watching live. Over $800,000 was spent on flowers, and security costs reached $32 million, emphasizing the global importance and scale of the event. The wedding was a momentous occasion for the British royal family, symbolizing a blend of tradition and modernity.

Angelababy & Huang Xiaoming: China’s ‘Royal Wedding’

In 2015, model Angelababy and actor Huang Xiaoming held a wedding in Shanghai dubbed China’s "Royal Wedding," costing an estimated $31 million. The most notable aspect of the wedding was Angelababy’s custom Dior gown, which featured a 10-foot train and cost $31 million. The wedding, held at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, was a lavish affair, marked by excessive luxury and celebrity status, cementing the couple’s place in the history of expensive weddings.

Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez’s Venetian wedding

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ wedding to journalist Lauren Sánchez has been the subject of much speculation, with reports estimating the cost at $34 million. The first wedding event was held at the prestigious Gritti Palace Hotel in Venice, where rooms cost upwards of $1,500 per night. With 82 rooms reserved for guests, the wedding festivities alone cost around $1.23 million just for accommodation. The Venice wedding was an extravagant prelude to a series of events, continuing the trend of luxury nuptials.

A new era of luxury weddings

These weddings showcase how some couples are redefining the idea of a celebration. From multi-million-dollar venues to performances by world-renowned artists and extravagant fashion choices, these events are a testament to the heights of opulence. While not everyone can afford a wedding in this price range, they remain a fascinating glimpse into the luxury and excess that come with extraordinary wealth. Whether it’s a royal affair or a celebrity union, these weddings have set new benchmarks for what it means to indulge in the finest life has to offer.