A Glimpse into the Billion-Dollar World of Ultra-Luxury Weddings: From Bezos to Ambani

Weddings, a celebration of love and commitment, reach unprecedented levels of opulence for the ultra-rich. These events transcend mere personal milestones, evolving into grand displays of luxury, prestige, and staggering expense. From royal ceremonies viewed globally to exclusive, invitation-only affairs featuring million-dollar dresses and performances by international superstars, these lavish weddings redefine extravagance.

Whether hosted in palaces, castles, or sprawling mansions, these celebrations spare no expense, featuring everything from diamond-studded invitations to budgets reaching billions of dollars.

Here’s a glimpse into some of the world's most expensive weddings, showcasing the breathtaking scale, celebrity guest lists, and fairytale settings that elevate these events into historic and cultural landmarks.

Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos (2025)

• Location: Venice, Italy
• Estimated Cost: $10 million

The highly anticipated wedding of journalist Lauren Sánchez and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is slated for late June 2025 in Venice. Expected to host around 200 guests, the event promises unparalleled luxury and exclusivity. However, the preparations have faced local opposition, with Venetian residents protesting the city's increasing unaffordability and inaccessibility due to its rise as a luxury wedding destination.

Said Gutseriev and Khadija Uzhakhova (2016)

• Location: Safisa Banqueting Hall, Moscow
• Estimated Cost: $1 billion

Khadija Uzhakhova's marriage to Said Gutseriev, son of Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Gutseriev, is rumored to be the most expensive wedding ever. The bride wore a 28-pound Elie Saab gown adorned with crystals and custom beading, making movement challenging.

The Moscow venue was transformed into a floral paradise, with flowers covering every surface. Guests were transported in a fleet of luxury cars, and the entertainment lineup resembled a Grammy Awards show, featuring performances by Jennifer Lopez, Sting, and Enrique Iglesias, each reportedly paid over a million dollars. The nine-tiered cake perfectly capped off this unbelievably extravagant event.

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani (2024)

• Location: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai
• Estimated Cost: $600 million - $1 billion

The wedding of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, was India's answer to royal-level grandeur. Spanning several months and featuring numerous celebrity-filled events, the wedding was a blend of cultural traditions and extravagant displays.

The guest list included Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Over one million flowers were used to create more than 60 animal sculptures. Performances by international artists such as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, and Justin Bieber provided global concerts at each event.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles (1981)

• Location: St. Paul's Cathedral, London
• Estimated Cost: $48 million (equivalent to about $166 million today)

Dubbed "The Wedding of the Century," the marriage of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles was a global fairytale. Diana's dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured 10,000 pearls and a 25-foot train.

Pre-wedding festivities included a Buckingham Palace gala and a spectacular fireworks display. While the actual wedding reception hosted only 120 guests, every aspect reflected lavishness, from the 27 cakes served to the global audience.

Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal (2018)

• Location: Antilia, Mumbai
• Estimated Cost: $100 million

Isha Ambani, daughter of Mukesh Ambani, and Anand Piramal celebrated their wedding with a multi-day event that began with an engagement at Lake Como, Italy, featuring a performance by John Legend. Beyoncé headlined a private concert at the Udaipur City Palace.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Ambanis' Mumbai skyscraper home, Antilia, adorned with enough flowers to cover all 27 stories. The invitations were flower boxes containing sacred mantras. As a charitable gesture, food was served to 5,000 residents over four days.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (2018)

• Location: Windsor Castle, England
• Estimated Cost: $45 million

The wedding of American actress Meghan Markle to Prince Harry bridged Hollywood and British royalty. Watched by nearly 2 billion viewers worldwide, the ceremony featured a minimalist Givenchy wedding dress priced at $265,000 and performances by orchestras, gospel choirs, and Elton John. Security for the couple and guests cost nearly $40 million, highlighting the high stakes of royal rituals in the modern era.

Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia (2004)

• Location: Paris, France
• Estimated Cost: $60 million

Vanisha Mittal, daughter of Lakshmi Mittal, and Amit Bhatia celebrated their wedding with a seven-day Parisian extravaganza. The ceremony took place at iconic locations like the Palace of Versailles and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Guests were flown in first class and accommodated in five-star hotels.

Invitations were delivered in silver packages, and entertainment included Kylie Minogue and a fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower. The wine alone cost $1.5 million.

Kate Middleton and Prince William (2011)

• Location: Westminster Abbey, London
• Estimated Cost: $33 million

The world watched as Prince William married Kate Middleton. Her Alexander McQueen wedding gown featured lace embroidery and a 9-foot train. Westminster Abbey was decorated with eight indoor trees and thousands of flowers, costing nearly $800,000.

Following the official ceremony, Queen Elizabeth hosted a royal luncheon, and Prince Charles hosted an evening reception. The chocolate biscuit groom's cake added a sentimental, personal touch.

Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming (2015)

• Location: Shanghai Exhibition Center
• Estimated Cost: $31 million

The wedding of Chinese actress Angelababy and actor Huang Xiaoming was live-streamed and featured a Dior dress made of lace roses and layers of tulle. The 10-foot wedding cake and 2,000-guest list were rivaled by a high-tech show complete with a holographic castle. The couple also gifted their guests high-end electronics. Although they divorced in 2022, their wedding remains a pop-culture benchmark for wedding excess in Asia.

Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt

• Location: Castello Odescalchi, Bracciano, Italy
• Cost: $19 million

Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One mogul Bernie Ecclestone, married businessman James Stunt in a lavish three-day celebration at the 15th-century Castello Odescalchi, overlooking Italy’s Lake Bracciano. Petra wore a Vera Wang gown valued at over $125,000. After the ceremony, Andrea Bocelli performed for the newlyweds, followed by a champagne reception. The extravagant event featured fireworks and musical performances by the Black Eyed Peas and Eric Clapton. The couple later divorced in 2017.