These multimillion-dollar affairs featured surprise performances, extensive guest lists, and exclusive venues.
Published on July 11, 2025 09:10AM
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As you start to plan your wedding, there's one thing that you and your partner will need to decide on before anything else: your budget. How much you're willing to spend on your celebration will dictate almost every aspect of your future festivities—from the guest list and dinner service to the entertainment and bouquets. However, as you look over different fees and estimates to ensure you're staying within the range you've committed to for your nuptials, you may start to wonder about the fêtes where cost wasn't a key factor.
Between Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding in 2011 and Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's recent multi-day celebration in Venice, Italy, over the past few decades, there have been a number of celebrity nuptials with multimillion-dollar price tags. In some cases, it makes sense: Such an occasion may necessitate extensive security, a hotel buyout, and various transportation options for attendees. However, in other instances, it's clear that the newlyweds went above and beyond, catering to their personal interests in an effort to host a memorable affair for themselves and their guests.
Here, we break down 12 of the most expensive celebrity weddings—and all of the costs associated with them. Read on for all of the details.
01 of 12
Prince Charles and Princess Diana: $140 Million
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When Princess Diana and Prince Charles tied the knot on July 19, 1981, they did so in an opulent celebration that featured a $115,000 dress, 27 wedding cakes, and a 3,500-person guest list. After the two said "I do" at St. Paul's Cathedral, they rode through the streets of London, waving to over 600,000 members of the public. An additional 750 million people—in 74 countries—tuned in to watch their ceremony on TV. Ultimately, the affair was estimated to cost $48 million, equivalent to approximately $140 million today.
02 of 12
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: $54.9 Million
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Two years after their first date, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle became husband and wife during a ceremony at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel in May 2018. 600 guests attended the event, including Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, David Beckham, and Elton John. To say "I do," Meghan wore a $265,000 off-the-shoulder gown designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The nuptials ultimately cost $42.8 million dollars, equivalent to $54.9 million today.
03 of 12
Prince William and Kate Middleton: $48 Million
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Five months after announcing their engagement, Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. For the royal ceremony, Kate donned a $434,000 long-sleeve gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Approximately 2,000 attendees were present for the couple's vow exchange—and 36.7 million people around the world tuned in for coverage of the event. Experts estimate that the festivities cost $34 million, equivalent to approximately $48 million today.
04 of 12
King Felipe and Queen Letizia: $42.50 Million
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Hosting one of the most expensive weddings in modern history, King Felipe said "I do" to Queen Letizia at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain on May 22, 2004. The couple—who dated in secret prior to announcing their engagement—hosted more than 1,000 guests for the affair. At the ceremony, Letizia wore a wedding dress designed by Manuel Pertegaz that featured natural silk, embroidered gold thread and a 15-foot train. The gown reportedly cost $8 million. The price tag for the entire celebration? $25 million, equivalent to $42.50 million today.
05 of 12
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries: $14.19 Million
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While their marriage may have only lasted 72 days, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries didn't skimp on wedding costs when they said "I do" in Montecito, California on August 20, 2011. The reality TV star donned a custom Vera Wang ball gown for the ceremony. 450 guests attended the festivities, including Demi Lovato, Serena Williams, and Scottie Pippen. The celebration ultimately cost $10 million, equivalent to $14.19 million today.
06 of 12
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto: $13.82 Million
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In 2013, Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto married in Palm Beach, Florida in front of 300 guests, including Tiger Woods and Spike Lee. For the occasion, the model donned a J'Aton Couture wedding dress covered in Swarovski crystals. After tying the knot at The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, the couple celebrated their new status as newlyweds during a reception at Bear's Club, which included a performance by Usher. The big day was estimated to cost $10 million, equivalent to $13.82 million today.
07 of 12
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez: $10 Million
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It was the most expensive and high-profile wedding of 2025: the nuptials of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez on June 27, 2025. The Amazon founder tied the knot with the former TV journalist during a multi-day celebration in Venice, Italy. The couple reportedly spent about $10 million on the festivities, which included a foam party and a pajama-themed post-nuptial fête. A number of A-list stars were in attendance, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sydney Sweeney, and Tom Brady.
08 of 12
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake: $9.03 Million
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This A-list duo headed to the Italian countryside for their nuptials on October 19, 2012. Inviting 100 guests—including Jimmy Fallon, Andy Samberg, and Timbaland—to join them for the celebration, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake said "I do" at the Borgo Engnazia resort, a luxury hotel in Puglia. Rather than wear a traditional white ensemble, the actress wore a custom pink gown created by Giambattista Valli. The festivities were estimated to cost $6.5 million, equivalent to $9.03 million today.
09 of 12
Amal and George Clooney: $6.21 Million
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After meeting in 2013, George and Amal Clooney married a little over a year later during a ceremony at the Aman Canal Grand hotel in Venice, Italy. The celebration, which was held on September 27, 2014, included a number of famous guests, including Anna Wintour, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, and Matt Damon. For the ceremony, the human rights activist wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown with a bateau neckline. The festivities were estimated to cost $4.6 million, equivalent to $6.21 million today.
10 of 12
Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara: $5.42 Million
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On November 21, 2015, actors Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello tied the knot at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida in front of 400 guests, including some of Vergara's Modern Family co-stars. For the occasion, the bride wore a strapless Zuhair Murad ball gown. The cost of the festivities was estimated to be approximately $4 million, equivalent to $5.42 million today. The couple later filed for divorce in February 2024.
11 of 12
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault: $5.3 Million
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After starting their relationship in 2006, Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault married on Valentine's Day in 2009 during a courthouse ceremony in Paris, France. Months later, they opted to throw a larger fête to celebrate their status as newlyweds at Teatro La Fenice, the famous opera house in Venice, Italy. A number of stars, including Woody Harrelson, Penelope Cruz, and Bono, attended the $3.5 million affair—equivalent to approximately $5.3 million today.
12 of 12
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge: $4 Million
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As one of Gen Z's favorite brides, the internet eagerly followed along with the coverage of Sofia Richie's wedding to Elliot Grainge on April 22, 2023. The influencer and music executive said "I do" at The Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France. The multi-day affair featured a number of famous guests, including Cameron Diaz and Paris Hilton. The total price tag? $4 million.
