Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 16, 2025 · Entertainment

Top 10 Most Extravagant Weddings: A Billionaire's Dream

A branding expert believes that Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez shell out as much as £10 million on their wedding

The Most Extravagant Weddings of All Time: A Closer Look

Get ready for a journey down the aisle of excess, as we delve into the most jaw-dropping weddings in history. From royal romances to celebrity couplings, these couples spared no expense when it came to making their special day truly unforgettable.

1. Prince Charles and Princess Diana: The Wedding of the Century (1981)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez surprised fans after revealing their engagement on Instagram, with her showing off her colossal-sized rock

It's hard to imagine a more iconic couple than Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Their wedding at St Paul's Cathedral was watched by millions around the world, but what many people don't know is just how much it cost. A staggering $48 million (£35.3 million) went into making this royal romance a reality, with security costs accounting for a whopping £490,000. Diana's 10,000-pearl-covered wedding gown was alone worth £11,000 – a small price to pay for the ultimate fairytale.

2. Prince William and Kate Middleton: A Royal Union (2011)

The Duchess of Cambridge's big day was a masterclass in understated elegance, with her £250,000 Alexander McQueen gown being one of the most talked-about wedding dresses of all time. The couple's security bill came to a whopping $37 million (£27.2 million), but it was worth every penny for this fairytale romance. With over 1,900 guests in attendance and 300 million people watching worldwide, it's no wonder this royal wedding remains one of the most-watched events in history.

Khadija's dress was imported from Paris and reportedly weighed 25 lbs (almost two stone) because of the huge train and heavy embellishment

3. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: A Modern Royal Romance (2018)

The newest additions to the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, certainly made a splash with their wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor. With an estimated $43.4 million (£32 million) spent on this star-studded affair, it's clear that the couple spared no expense when it came to making their special day truly unforgettable. From Elton John to George and Amal Clooney, the guest list read like a who's who of Hollywood royalty.

4. Angela Yeung (Angelababy) and Huang Xiaoming: A Chinese Celebrity Union (2015)

Son of a billionaire, Said Gutseriev, then 28, married 20-year-old student Khadija Uzhakhovs in arguably the most lavish wedding of the century, reportedly costing $1 billion (£737 million)

Chinese actress Angela Yeung, aka Angelababy, tied the knot with actor Huang Xiaoming in an extravagant ceremony that would put even the most seasoned royal wedding to shame. With a reported $31 million (£22.8 million) spent on this fairytale romance, it's clear that these two celebrities mean business when it comes to making their special day truly unforgettable. The couple celebrated alongside 2,000 guests at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, where Angela wore no less than three bespoke Ellie Saab gowns.

5. Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain: A Regal Romance (2004)

In a glittering ceremony at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral, King Felipe VI married news anchor Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano in 2004. The couple's wedding was estimated to have cost around €21 million (£18 million), but with current estimates putting the price significantly higher, it's clear that these two royal lovebirds spared no expense when it came to making their special day truly unforgettable. Letizia's ivory gown designed by Manuel Pertegaz was reportedly worth a staggering £6 million – a small price to pay for this fairytale romance.

Sting was seen clutching a bunch of fresh flowers as he chatted with the Harrow and Oxford-educated groom, Said Gutseriev

6. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles: A Second Chance at Love (2005)

In 2005, Prince Charles married his long-time companion Camilla Parker Bowles in a private ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. The couple's wedding was estimated to have cost around £1 million, but what many people don't know is just how much it cost to stage the event. With security costs accounting for a significant portion of the budget, it's clear that these two lovebirds spared no expense when it came to making their special day truly unforgettable.

7. John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier: A Fairytale Romance (1953)

The couple's 600 guests dined on European cuisine and sushi and the wedding cake was a lavish nine-tier creation, decorated with elaborate white icing and layers of pink floral garlands

The ultimate fairytale romance, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding was the epitome of elegance and sophistication. The couple's big day was estimated to have cost around $100,000 (£75,000) – a small price to pay for this iconic union. With over 800 guests in attendance, it's no wonder this fairytale romance remains one of the most talked-about weddings of all time.

8. Prince William and Kate Middleton: The First Royal Wedding (2011)

Before their big day in 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton spent months planning every detail of their special day. From the £250,000 Alexander McQueen gown to the lavish reception at Buckingham Palace, it's clear that these two lovebirds spared no expense when it came to making their fairytale romance truly unforgettable.

The bride needed the assistance of several people to carry her train and help her walk upstairs.

9. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: A Modern Royal Romance (2018)

The newest additions to the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, certainly made a splash with their wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor. With an estimated $43.4 million (£32 million) spent on this star-studded affair, it's clear that the couple spared no expense when it came to making their special day truly unforgettable. From Elton John to George and Amal Clooney, the guest list read like a who's who of Hollywood royalty.

10. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles: A Second Chance at Love (2005)

The happy couple and those lucky enough to be guests were treated by performances by none other than Jennifer Lopez

In 2005, Prince Charles married his long-time companion Camilla Parker Bowles in a private ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. The couple's wedding was estimated to have cost around £1 million, but what many people don't know is just how much it cost to stage the event. With security costs accounting for a significant portion of the budget, it's clear that these two lovebirds spared no expense when it came to making their special day truly unforgettable.

And there you have it – the most extravagant weddings of all time. From royal romances to celebrity couplings, these couples proved that money really is no object when it comes to making your special day truly unforgettable. Whether it's a fairytale romance or a lavish affair, one thing's for sure: these couples will be remembered as some of the most stylish and extravagant in history.

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Last year, the world saw the son of a billionaire, Anant Ambani, tie the knot with Radhika Merchant, the daughter of a wealthy pharmaceutical mogul

  • TheScholarlyNote.com
  • Forbes

The multi-day wedding celebration reportedly cost $339 million (250 million)

Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian were snapped in traditional dress as they left their hotel in India for the event

Priyanka Chopra posed with her husband Nick Jonas as they arrived at the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant

John Cena was also posing for pictures on the red carpet at the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair poses for a photograph with his wife Cherie Blair at the wedding

Anant Ambani holds the hands with his new bride Radhika Merchant at their wedding ceremony

In the week leading up to their wedding, Anant and Radhika saw performances from some of the most famous names in the music industry from Justin Bieber to Rihanna

Bollywood actor Disha Patani poses for a photograph as she arrives at the wedding of Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant

On December 12, 2018, Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha, then 28, tied the knot with billionaire property mogul husband Anand Piramal, then 33

The wedding of Yale graduate Miss Ambani and Mr Piramal is thought to cost as much as $100million (£73.7 million)

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were also invited to Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal's lavish wedding

Hillary Clinton was at the wedding in 2018 and was snapped waiting for her car to arrive

The marriage procession of Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha Ambani is seen outside their house in Mumbai in 2018

Amit Bhatia and Vanisha Mittal arrive at Annabels nightclub in London in 2004 for their engagement party

Amit Bhatia and Vanisha Mittal attend a charity event in November 2013, almost a decade after marrying

Lauren wowed her guests in a Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress featuring a high neck, long lace sleeves and 180 silk chiffon-covered priest buttons in the centre and it is said she and Jeff spent $50 million on the event

Jeff and Lauren kiss while travelling via water taxi during their very lavish nuptials

Kim Kardashian blows a kiss to reporters

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump leave their hotel ahead of Lauren and Jeff's wedding in June

Sydney Sweeney is pictured strolling around Venice ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding

Prince Charles married Princess Diana on July 29, 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral and it was watched by millions of royal fans from around the world

Princess Diana's dress was covered in 10,000 pearls, the dress was made from ivory silk taffeta and antique lace

The event, which was dubbed 'the wedding of the century', is thought to have cost around $48 Million (£35.3 million)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding took place at St George¿s Chapel in Windsor on May 19, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex share a kiss after they married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 2018

Meghan stunned as she walked down the aisle in a bespoke Givenchy dress, which had an almost five-metre-long veil, that came to an estimated £390,000

Clare Waight Keller designed Meghan's wedding shoes, based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a silk duchess satin

It was reported that Harry and Meghan's overall wedding cost an estimated $43.4 (£32 million)

Prince William married Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey

Kate also wore the Cartier Halo Tiara, borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II's collection

William and Kate had 1,900 guests at their wedding and around 300 million people watched the couple say 'I do' on television

Kate wore a £250,000 gown by Alexander McQueen, which included a nine-foot-long train and a lace bodice hand-stitched by the world's best seamstresses at the Royal School of Needlework

Angela Yeung, more commonly known by her stage name 'Angelababy', tied the knot to actor Huang Xiaoming in an extravagant ceremony that reportedly cost around $31 million

Angela wore a custom Dior gown that took almost five months to make and featured a 10-foot long train and 165 feet of tulle

Angela and Huang - who wed on October 8, 2015 - celebrated their new married life alongside 2,000 guests at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre (pictured)

King Felipe of Spain, known today as King Felipe VI, married news anchor Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on May 22, 2004

Letizia captivated the crowd as she walked down the aisle in an extraordinary ivory gown designed by the late Spanish couturier Manuel Pertegaz, reportedly worth an astonishing £6 million

Letizia's cascading bouquet carried personal meaning, blending apple blossom to honour her home city of Oviedo with orange blossom, a tribute to Felipe's late grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona