Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings Through the Years Featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings Over the Years: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and More

Celebrity weddings are known for their extravagance, but some ceremonies truly stand out for their sheer opulence and breathtaking price tags. From British royals to Hollywood stars, these events captivate the public’s imagination with luxury venues, star-studded guest lists, and all the elaborate details you’d expect from the world’s elite.

Royal Affairs: An Unrivaled Level of Splendor

The British royal family has set the standard for luxurious weddings. Few can forget the spectacle of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding, an event so grand it was watched by over 750 million people worldwide. St. Paul’s Cathedral provided the perfect backdrop as Lady Diana Spencer walked the aisle in her iconic, pearl-studded gown with a 25-foot train. The wedding’s costs soared to approximately $48 million at the time (now closer to $166 million), covering everything from Diana’s legendary dress to a pre-wedding gala at Buckingham Palace and a spectacular fireworks display. This celebration not only symbolized royal tradition but became a benchmark for weddings everywhere.

Decades later, their son Prince Harry continued the family tradition of lavish nuptials when he married Meghan Markle in 2018. The royal pair exchanged vows at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in an event that captured the attention of an estimated two billion viewers worldwide. The wedding bill reached an astonishing $45 million, not just for the beautiful venue and bespoke attire, but also for the exceptional security required for such a high-profile occasion. The guest list read like a who’s who of international celebrities and public figures, including Oprah Winfrey, the Beckhams, and George Clooney. The global fascination with their union drew millions of posts and mentions across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), highlighting iconic moments and sharing behind-the-scenes celebrations with fans globally. Explore all about their royal day in this detailed breakdown by The Knot.

Hollywood Glitz and International Opulence

While the royals dominate the headlines, other celebrity unions have also secured their places in wedding history for their luxurious spending sprees. Among the most extravagant:

• Kim Kardashian and Kanye West threw a wedding celebration for the ages, set in Florence, Italy. With star guests and fashion statements, their union reportedly cost around $2.8 million and dominated social media timelines, with millions of fans sharing and commenting on every detail of the day.

• Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrated their love with not one, but four ceremonies—including lavish Indian traditions at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world’s most expensive wedding venues. The event’s total costs are estimated between $584,000 and $800,000, with fans following highlights through widely shared Instagram posts and official accounts chronicling each vibrant event.

• Sir Elton John and David Furnish hosted their $1.5-$2 million wedding at their Windsor mansion, attended by fashion icons and celebrities. Exclusive social media glimpses from guests like Donatella Versace and Claudia Schiffer echoed the grandeur of this historic occasion.

• Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola staged a fairytale wedding reminiscent of royal pageantry, reportedly inspired by Princess Diana’s ceremony. Carey’s custom wedding dress alone cost $25,000, and their celebration, widely covered by the press, reinforced the lasting influence of royal wedding aesthetics.

For a deep dive into some of these spectacular unions, Vogue Australia offers a gallery featuring the most expensive celebrity weddings in history.

The Price of Love and Legacy

The allure of these high-profile weddings often lies in more than just the spending—they represent cultural moments, blending history, celebrity, and romance under the world’s spotlight. Whether it’s the British royal family’s unmatched grandeur or the Hollywood elite’s penchant for unique venues and high fashion, these ceremonies continue to spark headlines, social media buzz, and inspire fans worldwide.

As lavish as these weddings are, they also set trends in fashion, venue choices, and even social engagement, with every detail, from Meghan Markle’s Givenchy dress to Priyanka Chopra’s palace celebration, spawning countless imitators.

Curious about more of these opulent celebrations? Catch video highlights and rankings of the top 10 most expensive celebrity weddings on YouTube, or check out comprehensive roundups by Marie Claire or Tie the Knot for a closer look at unforgettable moments from stars like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Eddie Murphy, and Paris Hilton.

From historic royal unions to modern celebrity spectacles, these weddings aren’t just about romance—they’re milestones in pop culture and style that leave a lasting legacy around the world.