According to the Knot’s Wedding Study of 2015 for weddings in America, the average cost of a wedding is $32,000. But do you know how much the most expensive weddings in the world cost? They are typically in the millions, and some, even billions. I started thinking about this when I was looking for luxury wedding venues in Hobart a couple of months ago. I actually wanted a place with amazing food, so I knew I needed to look at the best hotels in Tasmania.
This list looks at some of the most extravagant weddings, some of which have been destination weddings. Others hosted a wedding with an old-world charm, that cost more than the GDP of some small countries. But if you are a person who loves grandeur, and perfection and finery in celebration, these weddings will definitely inspire!
- Prince Charles and Lady Diana
On that auspicious day of June, 1981, hundreds of thousands of Londoners spilled onto the streets to get a glimpse of the royal couple. At the same time, more than 750 million people across the world were glued to the TV, watching the live coverage. The bride arrived in a glass coach that was horse-drawn, wearing a special David and Elizabeth gown of antique lace and silk taffeta. She was adorned with the most precious pearls and had a dress-train, a dramatic 25 – foot in length. The New York Times described this marriage as a ‘fairy tale come to life’.
- Prince William and Kate Middleton
Everyone waited for the grand moment when the prince emerged from Westminster Abbey with his bride and it was at this time, the entire world cheered and the sun put a timely appearance as well. Kate reached the altar with a gown designed by the famous British designer, Sarah Burton; it was ivory in appearance and the princess flaunted a 1936 Cartier Diamond tiara. The Mayor of London also gifted a bicycle for them as a wedding gift.
- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Show business people are not normally known for being low-key and keeping themselves restraint, so when the two most popular entertainers in America tied the knot, they did not stop with just one hotspot in Europe. The pre-wedding functions and events were held in Paris, and a lot of the guests were then flown to Florence for a ceremony which took place in front of a gigantic wall of flowers. Prominent celebrities were called to attend and perform at the reception, John Legend opened the first dance – and sung at the function, followed by the others.
- James Stunt and Petra Ecclestone
The setting of the wedding was a dream, it was the 15th-century medieval castle, the Castello Orsini – Odescalchi. Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of the Formula One boss, Bernie Ecclestone married James Stunt, a British Entrepreneur, in April 2011. This was the same destination where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes tied the knot in 2006. The event which lasted for three days witnessed performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Alicia Keys, Eric Clapton amongst many other amazing shows. The total price tag of the wedding was around, if not more than, $20 million. But it was not just a plain splurge of money, the couple requested their guests to donate to a charity, instead of giving wedding gifts.
So, these were the dreamiest marriages to be held on planet Earth so far, and for sure many more are yet to come in the years ahead! True, marriage is a memory that must be cherished and these set the benchmark for the most perfect weddings of all time.
