Celebrities are known for their glamorous lifestyles, and when it comes to weddings, they spare no expense in creating fairy-tale-like celebrations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most extravagant celebrity weddings in Hollywood, where the glitz and glamour come with a hefty price tag.
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Exploring The Top 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings in Showbiz
10 Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky
In 2010, Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, tied the knot with Marc Mezvinsky in a private ceremony that reportedly cost between $3 million to $5 million. Security was a significant concern, leading to a substantial portion of the budget being allocated to safeguarding the high-profile event.
Interesting Fact:
- Guests had to wear special wristbands for exclusive access to the ceremony and reception.
- Strict no-photo policy enforced, requiring attendees to surrender cameras and cell phones.
- Star-studded guest list included Mary Steenburgen, Madeleine Albright, Ted Danson, Steven Bing, along with fashion icons Vera Wang and Christopher Bailey.
- Celebration lasted until 4:30 am, creating a night to remember for all involved.
Ranking The Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings
9 Liza Minelli & David Gest
On a special Saturday, March 22, 2002, the amazing singer and actress Liza Minnelli tied the knot with Broadway show producer David Gest. It was a big deal for David, who was 48 years old, as it marked his first-ever marriage. On the other hand, it was Liza’s fourth trip down the aisle. The wedding happened in the bustling city of New York, surrounded by a bunch of famous folks. The ceremony wasn’t just about saying “I do.” It was like a show, a real-life Hollywood moment.
Interesting Fact:
- Firstly, the wedding was attended by some of the biggest names in showbiz. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, served as the best man, and the iconic Elizabeth Taylor played the role of the maid of honor.
- Secondly, the wedding cake was a sight to behold, boasting twelve tiers and a jaw-dropping price tag of approximately $40,000.
- Thirdly, a staggering $700,000 was dedicated to floral arrangements, turning the ceremony into a breathtaking floral wonderland.
- The marriage, unfortunately, lasted only five years, but the memories of their over-the-top wedding continue to be a conversation starter in the world of celebrity unions.
The Million-Dollar Vows
8 George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin
Despite George Clooney’s reputation as an eternal bachelor, he surprised the world by marrying international human rights attorney Amal Alamuddin in 2014. The couple reportedly spent $4.6 million on their wedding celebrations in Venice. The ceremony at the Aman Canal Grande resort was estimated at $1.6 million, with rumors speculating the overall cost between $5 million to $13 million.
Interesting Fact:
- George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin met in July 2013 through a mutual friend.
- The wedding ceremony took place at Venice’s city hall (Ca’ Farsetti) on September 27, 2014, following a high-profile ceremony two days earlier.
- Walter Veltroni, a close friend of Clooney and the former mayor of Rome, officiated the wedding ceremony.
7 Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Beyoncé and Jay-Z, one of music’s power couples, spared no expense on their 2008 wedding, although the exact cost remains unknown. Reports suggest an $8 million expenditure on wedding flowers alone, with Beyoncé’s engagement ring valued at $5 million. The lavish affair included a massive tent, 70,000 white dendrobium orchids from Thailand, and a reception that lasted until 5 a.m. the following day.
Interesting Fact:
- The wedding venue was a massive tent erected on the 3,000-square-foot patio of Jay-Z’s penthouse.
- The couple decided to forgo traditional roles, ditching the maid of honor and best man. Instead, they chose to say their vows at the altar alone.
Celebrity Matrimony
6 Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel
After a long relationship, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel tied the knot in a luxurious Italian wedding in 2012, reportedly costing $6.5 million. The couple flew out and accommodated their 100 guests, investing heavily in security for utmost privacy. To celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, they recreated the Italian wedding in another million-dollar affair.
Interesting Fact:
- The couple had been in a relationship for several years before deciding to tie the knot.
- Jessica Biel admitted to stalking Justin Timberlake for a date after they first met.
- The couple faced challenges in maintaining secrecy around their wedding due to persistent rumors.
Love Meets Luxury: Celebrity Weddings
5 Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries
In 2010, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, an NBA basketball player, began their journey as a couple. Their relationship reached a significant milestone in August 2011 when they exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony that reportedly cost around $10 million. Notably, the extravagant affair was largely financed by the E! Network. Two months later, the world got a front-row seat to their nuptials as the ceremony aired on the reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (KUWTK). However, the joyous occasion took an unexpected turn when, in the same month as the televised celebration, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce.
Interesting Fact:
- Despite Kim not being as wealthy as she is today, the televised ceremony was financed mainly by the E! Network, turning their wedding into a major television event.
- The couple only lasted for 72 days before Kim filed for divorce. However, by the time the divorce was finalized in 2013, Kim was already expecting her first child with her future husband, Kanye West.
Glamorous ‘I Do’s’: Celebrity Weddings
4 Michael Jordan & Yvette Prieto
In 2013, the famous basketball player Michael Jordan got married for the second time. The big, fancy wedding happened at The Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. Subsequently, the newlyweds hosted a lavish reception at the Bear’s Club in Jupiter. The tent they used for the party was really huge – even bigger than Michael Jordan’s own house by five thousand square feet. The whole celebration cost Michael Jordan about $10 million.
Interesting Fact:
- The former model, Yvette Prieto, and Michael Jordan met at a Miami nightclub in 2008. Their whirlwind romance quickly evolved into a serious relationship, leading to the grand celebration in 2013.
- The wedding featured performances by big names like Usher, DJ MC Lyte, and Robin Thicke. This star-studded lineup turned the ceremony into a grand entertainment event.
- The reported cost of the wedding was $10 million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings of the decade.
Celebrity Romance On A Price Tag
3 Prince William & Kate Middleton
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton happened on Friday, April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. Prince William was second in line to become the king of Britain. The whole event cost a lot – about £23.7 million. People all over the United Kingdom celebrated with over 5,000 street parties. On the wedding day, almost a million people stood along the way from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the couple. The ceremony was watched by many more people worldwide. Tens of millions watched it live, and 72 million people even streamed it on YouTube.
Interesting Fact:
- Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship began in college, with their love story slowly unfolding in shared classes.
- It wasn’t love at first sight for the royal couple. Their relationship centered around shared studies, and Kate was already romantically involved with a senior student, Rupert Finch.
- The wedding took place in 2011 and cost a staggering $34 million, capturing the imagination of people worldwide.
- The two receptions following the ceremony added an additional cost of $800,000, making it a celebration fit for royalty.
2 Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
On Saturday, May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged vows at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. Prince Harry is part of the British royal family, and Meghan, the bride, is American and used to work as an actress, blogger, charity ambassador, and advocate. The whole wedding cost a lot – around £32 million. A massive 1.9 billion people watched the ceremony on TV, making it one of the most-watched events ever. People from all around the world tuned in to witness the special moment when Prince Harry and Meghan said their “I dos.”
Interesting Fact:
- Meghan Markle attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she majored in theatre and international studies. Graduating in 2003, her journey to royalty started long before meeting Prince Harry.
- Meghan and Prince Harry’s blind date, set up by a mutual friend in July 2016, marked the beginning of their love story.
- Their wedding, with a reported cost of over $48 million, surpassed the grandeur of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ceremony.
- They spent over $680,000 on special lunch and dinner celebrations alone.
Inside The 10 Most Lavish Celebrity Weddings
1 Prince Charles & Princess Diana
Prince Charles and Princess Diana had their wedding on July 29, 1981, and it was a big deal! More than 3,000 guests showed up to celebrate with them at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The whole event cost about $48 million, which would be around $156 million today when we adjust for inflation. What’s even more amazing is that a whopping 750 million people in 74 different countries watched the ceremony on TV. This wedding was special because it was the first time in 300 years that a British citizen married someone who was going to be the king. The excitement didn’t stop there – the night before the wedding, Hyde Park had the biggest fireworks show in over two centuries. Hundreds of thousands of people, including Prince Charles, gathered to watch, and he got to light the first bonfire. It was truly a historic and unforgettable celebration.
Interesting Fact:
- Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles had 13 meetings before tying the knot.
- Both Prince Charles and Diana expressed doubts about their relationship ahead of the wedding.
- Diana was the first British citizen to marry the heir to the throne since 1660.
- The ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral was the first royal wedding held there since 1501.
- An astounding 750 million people in 74 countries tuned in to watch the royal nuptials.