Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston – $1 Million

It’s astonishing that the iconic couple, Brad and Jen, celebrated their 18-year union anniversary. What’s even more astounding is the staggering $1 million they spent on their July 2000 wedding – a sum typically reserved for royalty. To put it into perspective, the lavish affair featured a hefty $100,000 security bill, a multi-million-dollar Malibu estate as the venue, a ‘zen garden’ boasting over 50,000 flowers at a cost of $75,000, and fireworks that set them back by $20,000.

Meanwhile, Jen donned a stunning Lawrence Steele gown, while Brad opted for a sleek Hedi Slimane-designed suit, complete with Prada attire for his groomsmen – a testament to the couple’s commitment to luxury on their special day.

Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky – $1.5 Million

In 1991, Elizabeth Taylor’s seventh marriage to Larry Fortensky was a major event. To celebrate, the couple splurged $1.5 million on their wedding day. The ceremony took place at Michael Jackson’s sprawling Californian estate, which was kindly provided by one of Taylor’s close friends. While we’re sure Jackson wasn’t charging them an arm and a leg for the venue, the 100-strong security detail – including a former Israeli army officer – likely ate up most of the budget.

Interestingly, this was not Taylor’s first rodeo with marriage; she had previously tied the knot with Richard Burton on two separate occasions.

Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman – $2 Million

Christina Aguilera’s 2005 wedding to Jordan Bratman was a lavish affair that left a significant dent in their wallet – a staggering $2 million. The couple spared no expense in transforming Napa Valley into a winter wonderland, thanks in large part to the efforts of wedding planner Michael Glassman.

The result was an opulent celebration featuring elaborate tree installations complete with chandelier-like branches, centrepieces crafted from exotic blooms, and a generous sprinkling of crystals and white roses throughout.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes – $3.5 Million

Tom Cruise’s infamous declaration of love for Katie Holmes on Oprah’s couch in the early 2000s may have been short-lived, but it was certainly a memorable moment. The couple’s lavish wedding celebration in 2006, held at an Italian castle and featuring a performance by renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, left a lasting impression. With a reported price tag of $3.5 million, the extravagant ceremony was a testament to their love – or at least, their willingness to go all out for it.

Katie’s two Giorgio Armani gowns, one of which featured 350 hours’ worth of hand-beaded Swarovski crystals, were designed by the fashion powerhouse and even had its creative director, Mr. Armani himself, in attendance. The event was widely covered in the media, with US Weekly among the publications to share the details of this fairytale-like wedding.

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin – $4.6 Million

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin spared no expense when planning their 2014 wedding in Venice, Italy. One of the most notable examples of this was footing the bill for all of their guests’ accommodations at the luxurious Hotel Cipriani. This generous move allowed them to treat their loved ones to a lavish experience, which set the tone for the entire celebration.

The reception, held at The Aman, offered an equally impressive backdrop for their star-studded guest list, featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West – $12 Million

The lavish wedding of Kimye is shrouded in mystery, with estimates suggesting the couple spent anywhere from 12 to 20 million dollars. Given the grandiose nature of the event and Kanye’s decade-long infatuation with Kim, it’s no surprise that the weekend celebration took place in Italy and France. The venue alone cost $400,000, while Kim’s stunning Givenchy dress set her back a staggering $500,000.

The couple also spared no expense when it came to their guests, covering travel and accommodation costs for what was likely an upscale experience. Adding to the opulence was a marble table featuring engraved guest names, which reportedly cost nearly half a million dollars.

Prince William and Kate Middleton – $34 Million

The extravagant wedding of Wills and Kate in 2011 has left many aghast at its staggering costs. The stunning Alexander McQueen dress worn by Kate on her big day was reportedly valued at $434,000, while the royal flowers alone set the couple back around $800,000. However, it’s worth noting that the royals had a unique approach to wedding gifts, asking guests instead to make donations to their chosen charities.

This unconventional approach ultimately brought an estimated $2 billion in revenue to the economy, tempering some of the financial blow.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana – $48 Million

The sheer extravagance of Charles and Diana’s 1981 nuptials might have left onlookers in awe, but the financial implications are truly staggering. According to estimates by Business Insider, if the wedding were held today, its total value would be a whopping $110 million, adjusted for inflation. That’s a price tag that could rival the GDP of some small countries!

The lavish display included a show-stopping dress and an astonishing 27 cakes – it’s no wonder that the mere mention of the wedding might still bring tears to the eyes of those who witnessed it.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – $56 Million

The momentous occasion of Harry and Meghan’s wedding finally arrived, leaving many with a collective gasp when the staggering $56 million price tag was revealed. As people frantically searched for their tiaras (only to realize they didn’t have one), it became clear that they weren’t alone in their shock.

While some were quick to criticize the lavish spending on various aspects of the ceremony, a closer look at the breakdown revealed that a substantial portion – actually 75% – went towards securing the event’s safety and security measures.