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For most couples, the wedding budget decides everything. The dress, the flowers, the music, the guest list. And the catering of course, because that’s most likely to be the biggest talking point amongst all the aunties of the family.
On the other hand, for an elite circle of royals, billionaires, and A-list stars, the budget isn’t a limitation. It’s one massive opportunity to go all out and have the wedding that most people could only dream about. These are the weddings where “splurge” is the starting point, and the final bill could probably buy you a private island.
From London’s grandest cathedrals to the romance of Venice’s canals, we’re giving you a closer look at 12 of the most extravagant weddings in modern history — the people, the gowns, the guest lists, and the staggering price tags that made headlines.
The Crown Jewels of Wedding History
Princess Diana & Prince Charles — $140 million (estimated)
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
In 1981, the world nearly came to a stand-still to watch British sweetheart Lady Diana Spencer marry Prince Charles. The ivory taffeta gown with its 25-foot train was valued at a staggering $115,000. But, the scale of the day was the real showstopper — 27 wedding cakes, 3,500 invited guests, and a London procession lined by 600,000 people.
Around 750 million watched on TV across 74 countries, making it one of the most-watched live events in modern day history. At the time it was reported that the wedding costed $48 million, the equivalent of $140 million today. Even adjusted for inflation, it remains the most expensive wedding ever recorded.
Prince William & Kate Middleton — $48 million (adjusted)
Source: Vogue Australia on Facebook
Thirty years later, Westminster Abbey became the stage for another royal romance. This time, it was Charles and Diana’s oldest son William and his fiancée Kate who stole the spotlight.
Kate’s lace-sleeved Alexander McQueen gown cost an eye watering $434,000, and the 2,000 guests included world leaders, royalty, and celebrities. Almost 37 million people tuned in worldwide, cementing the ceremony as a modern royal classic.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle — $54.9 million (Estimated)
Source: Newbie Sunflower on X
On the 19th of May 2018, Harry and Meghan’s Windsor Castle wedding was a beautiful combination of British tradition with Hollywood sparkle.
Guests like Oprah, Idris Elba, David Beckham and Elton John joined the 600-strong list. Meghan’s Givenchy gown carried a hefty $265,000 price tag. Much of the wedding’s cost went to security, which was necessary for such a high-profile, globally-covered event.
It’s reported that the whole event costed about $54 million.
King Felipe & Queen Letizia — $42.5 million (Estimated)
Source: Old Royalty on X
Spain’s 2004 royal wedding between King Felipe and Queen Letizia was an opulent affair at the Almudena Cathedral in the Spanish capital, Madrid. Queen Letizia donned a Manuel Pertegaz gown — natural silk with gold thread embroidery and a 15-foot train, which reportedly cost $8 million alone. The 1,000-plus guest list included royalty from across Europe, underscoring the event’s diplomatic importance.
The total cost at the time was just over $25 million, and equivalent of $42.5 million today – making it one of the most expensive weddings of the 2000s.
Hollywood’s Luxe “I Dos”
Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries — $14.19 million (Estimated)
Source: Pop Culture 2009 on X
Although the marriage lasted just 72 days, Kim and Kris’s 2011 Montecito, California wedding was a masterclass in celebrity excess. Vera Wang designed three separate gowns for Kim- the main one costing $2million alone. 450 elite guests including tennis icon Serena Williams, Singer Demi Lovato, and basketball legend Scottie Pinnen attended.
The whole event was filmed for reality TV, adding to its spectacle and costed around $10 million at the time – an estimated $14 million today.
Michael Jordan & Yvette Prieto — $13.82 million (adjusted)
When NBA legend Michael Jordan wed Cuban model Yvette Prieto in 2013, Palm Beach played host to their elaborate $13 million dollar wedding. Her Swarovski crystal-covered J’Aton Couture gown and an Usher performance gave the celebration its Hollywood-meets-high-society feel.
It was a relatively small wedding with only 300 people, but still goes down as one of the most expensive weddings of the 2010’s.
Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez — $10 million
Source: Praise John on X
In June 2025, Venice became the backdrop for one of the year’s most talked-about and controversial wedding.
The Amazon founder and former TV journalist hosted multi-day festivities, from a foam party to a pajama-themed celebration. Leonardo DiCaprio, Sydney Sweeney, and Tom Brady were among the star guests.
Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake — $9.03 million (Estimated)
For their 2012 Italian countryside wedding, Jessica Biel, and global icon Justin Timberlake tied, the knot at the luxurious Borgo Engnazia resort in Puglia. In an attempt to break away from the traditional white bridal attire, Jessica wore a gorgeous blush-pink Giambattista Valli gown.
Their exclusive guest list included just 100 people , with the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Andy Samberg, and Timbaland attending the event. Although this was a small and intimate gathering, it still ended up costing $6.5 million, an estimated $9 million today.
Amal & George Clooney — $6.21 million (Estimated)
Venice again set the scene in 2014 as George Clooney married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin at the Aman Canal Grand Hotel. Her custom made Oscar de la Renta gown and a guest list including Anna Wintour, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt made headlines across the world.The wedding reportedly cost the couple $4.6 million, around $6.21 million today.
Sofia Vergara & Joe Manganiello — $5.42 million (Estimated)
In 2015, Palm Beach’s The Breakers hosted this glamorous wedding with 400 guests. Sofia’s strapless Zuhair Murad gown reflected her larger-than-life personality. Many of her Modern Family co-stars were in attendance.
The wedding reportedly cost the couple around $4 million at the time and just over $5 million today.
Salma Hayek & François-Henri Pinault — $5.3 million (adjusted)
After a low-key Paris courthouse ceremony on Valentine’s Day 2009, the couple celebrated months later with a lavish party at Venice’s iconic Teatro La Fenice opera house. Bono, Penelope Cruz, and Woody Harrelson were among the A-list guests.
Sofia Richie & Elliot Grainge — $4 million
Source: Vogue Magazine on X
In 2023, Sofia Richie’s Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc wedding in Antibes became a social media sensation. As one of Gen Z’s style icons, she curated a multi-day celebration attended by Cameron Diaz, Paris Hilton, and other celebrity friends.
More Than Just Price Tags
These weddings weren’t just expensive — they were statements of personal style, power, and influence. Royals used them to reinforce tradition and diplomacy; Hollywood couples turned them into personal productions. Public reaction has always been split: some marvel at the romance, others question the spending.
But whether you’re a royal watcher or a pop culture fan, these weddings are cultural moments — ones that, love them or loathe them, will be talked about for decade
