For the elite, weddings transcend mere declarations of affection — they are lavish extravaganzas intended to captivate the world. From the iconic nuptials of Princess Diana and Prince Charles to Elizabeth Taylor’s opulent and tumultuous union, these renowned celebrations were meticulously orchestrated to awe and enchant. With bespoke attire, extravagant locales, and A-list attendees, we recount 15 of the most unforgettable weddings in history.
1. Prince William and Kate Middleton (April 29, 2011)
This contemporary royal union took place at Westminster Abbey, with Middleton, now Catherine, Princess of Wales, adorned in a custom Alexander McQueen gown. The extravagance reportedly carried a price tag of $34 million.
2. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III (April 19, 1956)
A fairytale event featuring a lace gown designed by Helen Rose and a guest list brimming with over 600 celebrities and dignitaries. The American-born Kelly ascended to become the Princess of Monaco following the ceremony, with her parents reportedly offering a $2 million dowry.
3. Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton (May 6, 1950)
The Hollywood luminary wed the hotel scion in a grand Beverly Hills affair, marking the first of Taylor’s eight marriages. Despite rumors of Hilton’s gambling and infidelity, the lavish ceremony was shrouded in opulence.
4. Prince Charles and Princess Diana (July 29, 1981)
Admired by 750 million viewers globally, the royal wedding incurred a colossal cost of $48 million (equivalent to $156 million today). Notable for Diana’s iconic 25-foot train, the event set the benchmark for royal weddings.
5. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (May 24, 2014)
An extravagant spectacle in Florence, Italy, featuring a custom Givenchy gown and a 15-carat Lorraine Schwartz ring. Although the event exceeded $12 million in expenses, the couple parted ways in 2021.
6. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (May 19, 2018)
Taking place at St. George’s Chapel, this contemporary royal affair showcased Meghan in a Givenchy gown. Despite the $45 million spent, the couple has since withdrawn from royal duties, crafting a new life in California.
7. Beyoncé and Jay-Z (April 4, 2008)
The power duo exchanged vows in a discreet New York City ceremony with only 40 attendees. Beyoncé, dressed in Vera Wang attire, and Jay-Z tied the knot at their penthouse.
8. David and Victoria Beckham (July 4, 1999)
Celebrate at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland, the Beckhams’ wedding boasted regal thrones and coordinated purple ensembles, embodying ‘90s opulence. The affair reportedly cost around $800,000.
9. Prince Albert
The royal wedding of Monaco reportedly incurred costs exceeding $65 million, solidifying its position as one of the most expensive royal weddings to date. In June 2015, Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist’s nuptials saw Sofia transition from a reality TV star to a Swedish Princess, adding a real-life fairytale twist to their love story. Similarly, in May 2004, Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson tied the knot in a modern fairytale wedding at the Copenhagen Cathedral, transforming an Australian marketing executive into Denmark’s future queen amidst horse-drawn carriages and a lavish royal banquet, with the event’s expenses rumored to surpass $34 million.
Another notable royal wedding unfolded in May 2004 when Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain exchanged vows at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. This event marked Spain’s first royal wedding in nearly a century and attracted over 1,500 guests, with estimated costs of around €19 million, inclusive of a grand reception at the Royal Palace. Meanwhile, the union of Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece in July 1995 at St. Sophia’s Cathedral in London boasted a guest list of over 1,300 royals and aristocrats, including Queen Elizabeth II, with reported expenses totaling £8 million. Noteworthy was the bride’s custom Valentino gown, valued at over £170,000 (approximately $225,000).
Adding to the roster of extravagant royal weddings was the October 2018 union of Princess Eugenie, Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter, and Jack Brooksbank, a marketing executive. With costs exceeding £2 million (about $2.6 million), primarily attributed to security measures, the event featured the loan of an emerald tiara by the Queen herself, adding a touch of familial heritage to the glamorous affair. Lastly, the July 1983 wedding of Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V), and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck at the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace held historical significance as Mary was initially engaged to George’s brother, Prince Albert Victor, before his untimely passing from pneumonia in 1892, stirring whispers of a royal scandal.
