1. Khadija Uzhakhova and Said Gutseriev – $1 Billion (2016)
The crown jewel of expensive weddings belongs to 20-year-old dentistry student Khadija Uzhakhova and Said Gutseriev, son of oil and media mogul Mikhail Gutseriev. This Moscow celebration set the gold standard for wedding extravagance with its mind-boggling billion-dollar budget. The bride wore a gown created by designer Elie Saab that reportedly cost $1 million, featuring custom beading and a lengthy train that weighed approximately 28 pounds, requiring assistance just to walk. The Safisa banqueting venue in Moscow was transformed into a floral paradise with decorations from floor to ceiling. The entertainment was headlined by Jennifer Lopez, Sting, and Enrique Iglesias, while guests enjoyed a nine-tier wedding cake taller than most people and departed with jeweled keepsake boxes.
Date: March 26, 2016 in Moscow, Russia
Star Power: Jennifer Lopez reportedly charges over $1 million per hour for private performances
2. Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani – $600 Million-$1 Billion (2024)
The most recent addition to this exclusive list united two of India’s wealthiest families in spectacular fashion. Anant Ambani, youngest son of billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani, married Radhika Merchant in celebrations that spanned months and featured A-list entertainment from around the globe. Pre-wedding celebrations included an event in March 2024 featuring Rihanna and a light show with 5,500 drones. The festivities continued with concerts by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Andrea Bocelli, while celebrity guests included Kim Kardashian, John Cena, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Venue: Jio World Convention Center, Mumbai – a $1 billion facility
Floral Fantasy: An estimated 1 million flowers created over 60 animal sculptures
3. Diana Spencer and Prince Charles – $48 Million (1981) ($166 million when adjusted for inflation)
Dubbed the “Wedding of the Century,” Prince Charles’s marriage to the future Princess Diana was watched by 750 million people on television. This fairy tale royal wedding set the template for lavish royal ceremonies and captured the world’s imagination. Diana’s silk taffeta gown contained 10,000 pearls and had a 25-foot train, taking three months to make and costing nearly $115,000. The ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral accommodated 3,500 guests, while pre-wedding festivities included a gala ball at Buckingham Palace and massive fireworks display over London.
Guest count: 3,500 at the ceremony, 120 at the exclusive reception
Lucky charm: A small golden horseshoe was sewn into Diana’s dress for good luck
4. Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal – $100 Million (2018)
The Ambani family’s wedding prowess was first showcased when Isha Ambani, daughter of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, married financier Anand Piramal. This celebration spanned continents and featured performances by music royalty. Beginning with an engagement party at Italy’s Lake Como featuring John Legend, the celebrations continued in India where Beyoncé performed at the Udaipur City Palace. The family provided food for over 5,000 residents for four days as a thank you to the city. The wedding invitations alone were masterpieces, arriving in floral keepsake boxes that played the Gayatri Mantra when opened.
Transportation Fleet: Over 1,000 luxury cars including Jaguars and Porsches
Bridal Outfit Cost: $12 million for Isha’s wedding attire
5. Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia – $60 Million (2004)
Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal spared no expense for his daughter Vanisha’s weeklong celebration in Paris. This multi-location extravaganza showcased French luxury at its finest, with ceremonies at the Palace of Versailles and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. The estimated 1,000 guests received invitations in silver cases, were flown first class to Paris, and stayed in the city’s fanciest hotels. Entertainment included a performance by Kylie Minogue and a spectacular fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower.
Duration: Week-long celebration across multiple Parisian venues
Wine Budget: $1.5 million for beverages alone
6. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry – $45 Million (2018)
Prince Harry’s wedding to American actress Meghan Markle was watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide, making it one of the most-viewed weddings in history. This modern royal fairy tale brought Hollywood glamour to Windsor Castle. Markle’s minimalist Givenchy gown carried a price tag of $265,000, while celebrity guests included George Clooney, Serena Williams, and Oprah Winfrey. The celebration featured performances by two choirs, an orchestra, and a special performance by Elton John at the evening reception.
Security budget: $40 million – the largest single expense
Cake statistics: The lemon-elderflower cake required 500 eggs and 44 pounds each of butter, flour, and sugar
7. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano and Prince Felipe of Spain – $24-35 Million (2004)
Broadcast journalist Letizia Ortiz married Spain’s Prince Felipe in a televised ceremony attended by over 1,200 guests, including British royalty Prince Charles and Monaco’s Prince Albert. This wedding elevated a commoner to future queen status. Ortiz wore a Manuel Pertegaz-designed dress costing $8 million and arrived at Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral in a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV. The celebration reflected Spanish royal tradition while embracing modern romance.
Guest List: Over 1,200 attendees including international royalty
Reception: 1,000 bottles of champagne served to guests
8. Kate Middleton and Prince William – $33 Million (2011)
When Prince William, heir to the British throne, wed “commoner” Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey, it was watched by more than 2 billion people. This wedding perfectly balanced royal tradition with modern elegance.
Middleton’s $434,000 gown, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featured a lace-applique bodice and 9-foot train. The abbey was decorated with $800,000 worth of flowers and eight full-sized trees, while the reception featured an eight-tiered fruitcake alongside Prince William’s requested chocolate biscuit cake.
Global Audience: Over 2 billion viewers worldwide
Floral Budget: $800,000 for flowers and decorative trees
9. Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming – $31 Million (2015)
Singer and actress Angela Yeung (Angelababy) and actor Huang Xiaoming staged their opulent wedding at Shanghai Exhibition Center, which was live-streamed. This celebration showcased the grandeur of Chinese entertainment industry wealth. The bride’s Christian Dior dress featured almost 100 handcrafted roses from Chantilly lace and seven layers of skirts made from 170 feet of tulle. The 2,000 guests enjoyed a 10-foot-tall wedding cake with a carousel middle and received high-end gifts including cell phones.
Venue Feature: 200,000 square foot space displaying a hologram castle
Wedding Ring: $1.5 million five-carat pear-shaped diamond
10. Priya Sachdev and Vikram Chatwal – $20 Million (2006)
Model and actress Priya Sachdev’s marriage to actor Vikram Chatwal took place over 10 days across three cities. This marathon celebration redefined destination weddings with its international scope and astrological precision. An estimated 600 guests were flown from 26 countries on chartered jets, with over 110,000 pounds of flowers imported from Bangkok, Calcutta, and the Netherlands. The actual ceremony date was chosen in consultation with astrologers, while themed parties included a masked ball called ‘Fantasia.’
Duration: 10 days across three Indian cities
Dress Code: Guests received 20-page pamphlets on proper Indian attire
11. Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt – $19 Million (2011)
Formula One magnate Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter Petra married businessman James Stunt at Italy’s Castello Odescalchi, the same historic venue where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes wed in 2006. This three-day celebration combined medieval grandeur with modern luxury. Ecclestone’s Vera Wang gown cost over $125,000, and after the ceremony, the couple was serenaded by Andrea Bocelli. Entertainment included performances by the Black Eyed Peas and Eric Clapton, with spectacular fireworks over Lake Bracciano.
Historic Venue: 15th-century castle on Italy’s Lake Bracciano
Musical Lineup: Andrea Bocelli, Black Eyed Peas, and Eric Clapton
12. Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos – $46-56 Million (2025)
The world’s attention turned to Venice when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos married journalist Lauren Sánchez in a star-studded affair at San Giorgio Maggiore. This recent celebration brought together tech royalty and Hollywood elite in one of the world’s most romantic cities. Celebrity guests included Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kim Kardashian, while the festivities included a lavish reception at the historic Venetian Arsenale. The celebration sparked local protests about Venice’s transformation into an exclusive tourist destination.
Location: Historic Venice, including multiple prestigious venues
Pre-Wedding: Lauren’s Paris bachelorette party featured Katy Perry and Eva Longoria
