MomSkoop
Celebrity weddings often go beyond what most of us could ever imagine spending on our big day. Stars spare no expense when it comes to venues, flowers, dresses, and more. While regular weddings might cost thousands, celebrity weddings often reach into the millions, creating fairytale celebrations that capture worldwide attention.
1. Kim Kardashian & Kanye West – Estimated $12 million
The power couple pulled out all the stops for their 2014 wedding in Florence, Italy. Guests were first flown to Paris for pre-wedding celebrations before jetting to Florence for the main event at the historic Forte di Belvedere.
Kim stunned in a custom Givenchy gown designed by Riccardo Tisci, while Andrea Bocelli serenaded the couple during the ceremony. The reception featured a 7-foot marble cake and an over-the-top photo booth for the star-studded guest list that included celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend.
2. Vanessa Trump & Donald Trump Jr. – Estimated $4 million
Long before political headlines dominated their lives, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon tied the knot in 2005 at the Trump family’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The lavish affair showcased luxury at every turn with cascading flowers and crystal decorations throughout the venue.
Vanessa wore a classic Vera Wang gown as she walked down the aisle. The couple spared no expense on details, including custom monogrammed place settings and an elaborate multi-tier wedding cake. Though their marriage eventually ended in 2018, their wedding day remains one of the most expensive celebrity celebrations of its time.
3. Prince Harry & Meghan Markle – Estimated $45 million
Royal weddings naturally come with royal price tags, and the 2018 union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle takes the crown as one of the most expensive weddings ever. The majority of the budget—about $43 million—went toward security for the high-profile event at Windsor Castle.
Meghan wore a simple yet elegant Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller, later changing into a Stella McCartney gown for the reception. The couple’s ceremony featured a gospel choir, celebrity guests like Oprah and George Clooney, and was watched by nearly 2 billion people worldwide.
Their reception included fireworks and a performance by Elton John.
4. Nick Jonas & Priyanka Chopra – Estimated $6 million
When cultures collide in the most beautiful way! Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra celebrated their love with multiple ceremonies honoring both their backgrounds during their December 2018 wedding festivities in India.
The celebrations stretched across several days, beginning with a traditional Mehendi ceremony and followed by both Christian and Hindu ceremonies at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. Priyanka wore a stunning Ralph Lauren gown for their Western ceremony and a traditional red lehenga for the Hindu ceremony.
The couple’s wedding featured 225 guests, including celebrities and family members, with performances, fireworks, and endless dancing.
5. Ciara & Russell Wilson – Estimated $1 million
R&B singer Ciara and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson exchanged vows in a fairytale ceremony at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, England in 2016.
The medieval setting provided a romantic backdrop for their intimate celebration with 100 close friends and family members. Ciara wore a custom Roberto Cavalli dress designed by Peter Dundas, complete with a cathedral-length train. Her bridesmaids wore black gowns while groomsmen sported traditional tuxedos.
Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the reception, ensuring guests danced the night away. Despite the million-dollar price tag, their wedding was actually quite modest compared to other celebrity extravaganzas.
6. Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon – Estimated $10 million
Pop diva Mariah Carey’s 2008 wedding to Nick Cannon happened just weeks after they began dating, surprising fans and the media alike. The whirlwind romance culminated in a secret ceremony at Mariah’s private estate in the Bahamas, with just a handful of guests present.
Despite the small guest list, no expense was spared. Mariah’s engagement ring alone cost a reported $2.5 million, featuring a 17-carat pink diamond surrounded by 58 smaller diamonds. For the ceremony, she wore a Nile Cmylo mermaid-style gown with a sweeping train.
The couple renewed their vows annually until their split in 2014, with each celebration becoming increasingly elaborate.
7. Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky – Estimated $600,000+
When the daughter of a former president and secretary of state gets married, the world watches. Chelsea Clinton married investment banker Marc Mezvinsky in 2010 at the Astor Courts estate in Rhinebeck, New York, with about 400 guests in attendance.
Chelsea wore a stunning Vera Wang gown with a crystal-embellished belt, while her father, Bill Clinton, walked her down the aisle. Security measures alone reportedly cost $200,000, with additional expenses including $500,000 for flowers and decorations.
Though modest by some celebrity standards, the wedding made headlines for its star power, including guests like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and numerous political figures.
8. Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries – Estimated $10 million
Before her marriage to Kanye West, Kim Kardashian’s wedding to NBA player Kris Humphries in 2011 was a media spectacle that reportedly earned the couple more than it cost.
The lavish ceremony took place at a private estate in Montecito, California, with 450 guests witnessing the event. Kim wore three different Vera Wang gowns throughout the evening, and the décor featured thousands of white roses. The wedding was filmed for a two-part TV special that aired on E!, bringing in millions of viewers.
Ironically, the marriage lasted just 72 days before Kim filed for divorce, making the $10 million price tag work out to about $138,889 per day of marriage!
9. Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony – Estimated $1.2 million
Before her current romance with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez married singer Marc Anthony in 2004 in a surprise ceremony at her Beverly Hills home. Guests were invited to an “afternoon party” with no indication it was actually a wedding.
J.Lo wore a Vera Wang gown and Neil Lane jewelry, while the backyard was transformed into a romantic garden setting with thousands of roses and orchids. The intimate affair included just 40 close friends and family members.
Although their marriage ended in 2014, the couple shares twins Max and Emme. The relatively modest $1.2 million cost shows that even celebrities occasionally opt for more intimate celebrations.
10. George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin – Estimated $4.6 million
Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor finally met his match when he married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014. The sophisticated affair took place in Venice, Italy, with the couple arriving at the ceremony by boat along the Grand Canal.
Amal wore a custom Oscar de la Renta French lace wedding gown, while George opted for a classic Armani tuxedo. The celebration spanned four days, with events at luxury hotels including the Aman Canal Grande.
Celebrity guests like Matt Damon, Cindy Crawford, and Bono enjoyed five-star accommodations, gourmet meals prepared by renowned chefs, and cases of Casamigos tequila—George’s own brand. The couple later donated all proceeds from their wedding photos to charity.