Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings: From Royal Splendor to Bezos’ $50M Bash
LONDON / LOS ANGELES — Love might be priceless, but when it comes to celebrity weddings, price tags often skyrocket into the tens of millions. From European castles to Palm Beach mansions, A-list stars and royalty have thrown some of the most extravagant weddings in modern history — and the numbers are jaw-dropping.
Here’s a closer look at the celebrity weddings that topped the charts in cost, from tech billionaires to British princes.
Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez: $50+ Million (2025)
The most recent — and possibly most lavish — wedding on record, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos married Lauren Sánchez in June 2025 in a high-profile ceremony held in Italy. Estimates suggest the festivities cost more than $50 million, with some reports citing as much as $50,000 per guest.
Celebrity guests included Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, and other titans of entertainment and industry. The event spanned an entire weekend and was described by sources as “a big wedding” in every sense of the word.
Prince Charles & Princess Diana: $48 Million (1981)
The iconic 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana is often referred to as the “wedding of the century.” Held at St. Paul’s Cathedral with an audience of 3,500 in attendance — and millions more watching worldwide — the event cost a then-record $48 million.
The fairytale romance turned turbulent, however, ending in divorce in 1996.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle: $45 Million (2018)
Royal weddings aren’t known for frugality, and the 2018 nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle followed suit. Taking place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the ceremony and associated security and celebration costs brought the price tag to $45 million.
Two years later, the couple stepped away from royal duties and began a new chapter in California.
Prince William & Kate Middleton: $33 Million (2011)
Broadcast around the world, the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place at Westminster Abbey, with an estimated cost of $33 million. The event was widely celebrated across the U.K., and Kate’s custom Alexander McQueen gown became an instant fashion icon.
Michael Jordan & Yvette Prieto: $10–14 Million (2013)
Basketball legend Michael Jordan tied the knot with model Yvette Prieto in a 2013 ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida. Estimates on the cost vary — with some outlets reporting $10 million and others closer to $14 million. The luxurious event included an 18-piece live band and a celebrity-packed guest list.
What Makes These Weddings So Expensive?
From royal security costs to designer gowns, multi-day guest experiences, and exclusive venues, these weddings are far from ordinary. While most of the public might spend thousands on a dream wedding, the celebrities on this list are spending millions — sometimes tens of millions — for a single day of celebration.
Weddings That Made Headlines Beyond the Vows
These extravagant ceremonies didn’t just generate fanfare at the altar — they shaped headlines, wedding trends, and even careers. From Diana’s dress setting bridal fashion for a decade to Jeff Bezos’ Italian celebration signaling billionaire-level love stories, these events go down not just in romance history, but in pop culture as well.
Which wedding shocked you the most? Would you spend $50 million for your dream ceremony? Share your thoughts at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.