When it comes to professing one’s love, one can go to any lengths. Speaking in materialistic terms, this often translates to opulent and grand weddings after which the bride and groom live happily ever after. These are the ten most lavish weddings ever to have taken place.
1. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum (1979)
Listed by Guinness as the most expensive wedding ever, over 20000 guests were invited to a specially built stadium where the marriage was held. The entire city of Dubai had been celebrating for one month before the wedding. Today such as extravaganza would cost almost $100 million.
2. Amit Bhatia and Vanisha Mittal (2004)
The daughter of the world’s richest Indian and Britain’s most wealthy business tycoon, L.N. Mittal could not have got a more lavish wedding ceremony. Reportedly, it around $90 million was spent to hold a six day long affair in a French chateau. Kylie Minogue was paid $520,000 for a 30 minute long performance (that’s $300 for a second)!
3. Prince Rainier of Monaco and Grace Kelly (1956)
The wedding between the prince and the Hollywood superstar of the 50s was once called the ‘wedding of the century’ – she got a 10 carat ring and a Rolls Royce while the prince distributed jewels to his friends and subject.
4. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein (2004)
Arab weddings have held unbeatable records when it comes to weddings and this one proved the fact once again. A similar seven day event was planned out in a custom built stadium and the final bill amounted to just $44 million. This is enough to feed all of Dubai for a couple of years.
5. Prince Charles and Diana Spencer (1981)
A wedding in the English monarchy can never be short of lavish and so was the Charles and Diana affair in 1981. The wedding was broadcasted on national television and almost 750 million people watched it. This might have caused the couple to become nervous – both of them mixed up their vows.
6. Star Jones and Al Reynolds (2004)
Reported as one of the most hyped weddings in America, ‘the view’ co-host married the bankers in a high profile glitzy affair in New York – she had a 27 foot long gown and 12 bridesmaids.
7. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills (2002)
Another well documented wedding of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and Mills, the wedding had an Indian theme complete with dancers, food and fireworks in Ireland.
8. Wayne Rooney and Colleen McLaughlin (2008)
Their wedding nuptials cost a whopping 3 million pounds and the English football star had booked the Côte D’Azur in Southern France. However, this couple cleverly got 2.5 million back through an exclusive coverage deal with a fashion magazine.
9. Liza Minnelli and David Gest (2002)
A staff of 500 was employed to bring this wedding to life. There were some 600 guests and the best man and maid of honor were none other than the late Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor.
10. Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar (2007)
The Indian businessman married the British actress in a wedding that consisted of two luxurious and fancy ceremonies across two continents – a British wedding took place in Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire while the traditional Hindu ceremony was held in Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India.