The 12 Most Expensive Weddings In History

Published on November 15, 2011 by Terri · No Comments

Interested in the Most Expensive Weddings- here they are! Romancestruck.com and Forbes did a little research for us all and came up with what are thought to be the top 12 most expensive weddings in History. So next time Dad is crying over your budget, show him these numbers and your requests will seem more than reasonable:)!

Most Expensive Weddings #12

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES AND MICHAEL DOUGLAS

The most expensive weddings bill was $1.5 million in 2005, or $1.6 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was a movie star known for Zorro, America Sweethearts and Entrapment

The groom was a movie star known for Wall Street (pictured) and producer known for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

The wedding, right out of a spy film, featured invitations written invisible ink and holograms – sent to guests including Sean Connery, Jack Nicholson, and Michael Caine. The ceremony at New York’s Plaza Hotel was guarded by over 50 rent-a-cops. The bride’s diamond tiara cost $300,000 and her Christian Lacroix gown cost $140,000.

Most Expensive Weddings #11

TOM CRUISE AND KATIE HOLMES

The most expensive weddings bill was $2 million in 2006, or $2.2 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was an actress known for Dawson’s Creek and Batman Begins

The groom was a movie star known for Top Gun, Jerry Maguire and Mission Impossible

The wedding at the 15th century Odescalchi Castle outside Rome featured a five-tiered white chocolate cake decorated with marzipan roses. Cruise actually performed “You’ve Got That Loving Feeling.” They were joined by Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, David Beckham, and others. Costs included $900,000 for guest airfare and accommodations and $180,000 for 300 bottles of wine.

Most Expensive Weddings #10

CHRISTINA AGUILERA AND JORDAN BRATMAN

The most expensive weddings bill was $2 million in 2005, or $2.2 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was a pop star

The groom was a music producer

The wedding featured 150 guests including Sharon Stone at the Napa Valley’s Staglin Family Vineyard. Christina paid $80,000 for a Spanish-style Christian Lacroix gown. Decorations included a winter-themed tent with white roses, silver and crystals.

Most Expensive Weddings #9

ELIZABETH HURLEY AND ARUN NAYAR

The most expensive weddings bill was $2.5 million in 2007, or $2.6 million when adjusted for inflation.

The Bride: Supermodel and movie star

The Groom: Senior VP of Tyco

The Nupitals: A double ceremony over eight days kicked off at Suderly Castle in Gloucestershire and then moved to Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. They paid $300,000 for private jets and over $100,000 for accommodations, including the $10,000-a-night bridal suite in India.

Most Expensive Weddings #8

PAUL MCCARTNEY AND HEATHER MILLS

The most expensive weddings bill was $3 million in 2002, or $3.6 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was a PETA activist and former model

The groom was the most successful songwriter in history

The wedding was an Indian-themed wedding at St. Salvador’s church in Monaghan, Ireland, featuring Indian dancers, a vegetarian feast, $145,000 worth of flowers, and $150,000 fireworks. Paul, George, and Ringo played a new song, “Heather.” The party took place at a rented castle ($40,000).

Most Expensive Weddings #7

ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND LARRY FORTENSKY

The most expensive weddings bill was $2.5 million in 1991, or $4 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was an iconic movie star

The groom was a construction worker

The wedding was a notorious event featuring Michael Jackson as father of the bride at his Neverland Ranch. Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, and Nancy Reagan (!) were in attendance. The marriage lasted an impressive five years.

Most Expensive Weddings #6

LIZA MINNELLI AND DAVID GEST

The most expensive weddings bill was $3.5 million in 2002, or $4.2 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was a Broadway star and the daughter of Judy Garland

The groom was a music producer

The wedding featured best man Michael Jackson and maid of honor Elizabeth Taylor, perhaps the biggest celebrity wedding ever. Entertainment included a 60-piece orchestra, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, and Natalie Cole. The couple spent an estimated $700,000 on flowers and $40,000 on cake.

Most Expensive Weddings #5

CHELSEA CLINTON AND MARC MEZVINSKY

The most expensive weddings bill was around $5 million in 2010.

The bride was the daughter of President Bill Clinton

The groom was an investment banker (Goldman Sachs and then G3) and childhood friend

The wedding costs included $600,000 air-conditioned tents, a $11,000 cake, Vera Wang wedding gown, and the attendance of Oprah. The rest went to deluxe pamper and security costs for 500 guests.

Most Expensive Weddings #4

WAYNE ROONEY AND COLEEN MCLOUGHLIN

The most expensive weddings bill was $8 million in 2008.

The bride was a working-class British girl who started dating Rooney at age 16, reportedly going to see Austin Powers 2 on their first date.

The groom was perhaps the highest paid footballer ever.

The wedding featured a chartered flight for 65 Brits to fly to Genoa for a masked ball on a $120-million yacht. Guests divided several days between the expensive yacht and a five-star hotel. The wedding took place at a 17th century villa and reception at a medieval abbey high above Portofino.

Most Expensive Weddings #3

PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON

The most expensive weddings bill will be an estimated $34 million, most of it going to security.

The bride is a 29-year-old commoner who has become a worldwide celebrity.

The groom is the oldest son of Prince Charles and the second in line to the throne of England.

The wedding will feature $800,000 in flowers, a $80,000 wedding cake, countless royals and nobles and a global TV audience in the hundreds of millions.

Most Expensive Weddings #2

VANISHA MITTAL AND AMIT BHATIA

The most expensive weddings bill was $60 million in 2005, or $66 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was the beautiful daughter of billionaire steel-magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

The groom was a London-born i-banker, owner of Swordfish Investments.

The wedding featured invitations mailed in silver boxes, including plane tickets and rooms at a five-star Paris hotel. Five-day festivities at a 16th-century chateau and Versailles and a temporary wooden castle. Performances by Kylie Minogue, complementary Mouton Rothschild, and designer gift bags filled with jewels.

Most Expensive Weddings #1

PRINCE CHARLES AND LADY DIANA

The most expensive weddings bill was $48 million in 1981, or $110 million when adjusted for inflation.

The bride was a stunning blonde pre-school teacher, who immediately became a global icon.

The groom was the oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II.

The wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral was attended by dozens of royals; two million spectators; and a global TV audience of 750 million. Diana wore a puffball meringue wedding dress with a 25-foot train of ivory taffeta and antique lace. The 27 wedding cakes and five-foot-tall main cake supposedly took 14 weeks to prepare, with a duplicate cake made in case of accidents.

Source: Romancestruck.com, Forbes; The 12 Most Expensive Weddings in History