who goes wedding dress shopping with the bride
The Most Over-the-Top Celebrity Weddings
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Many people spend a lot of money on their wedding. After all, it's an event that happens just once in a person's life (hopefully). Exquisite white gowns, beautiful venues and long guest lists can jack up the price tag to epic proportions.
Now, imagine it's a celebrity wedding. Can you even imagine the cost of crystal — maybe even diamond — tiaras, 20-foot trains and exotic locations? If you think you have an idea, think again. You will have a hard time wrapping your head around how much these celebrities spent on their wedding ceremonies.
Nick Jonas & Priyanka Chopra: Double Whammy
Sometimes, celebrities aren't content with just one wedding. Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra decided to double up on their wedding ceremonies when they threw both an American and an Indian wedding in 2018. They held both ceremonies over one long, party-filled weekend in Jodhpur, India.
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Their attire was impressive too. Chopra's dress had a 75-foot train and 2 million sequins! Jonas wore a Ralph Lauren double-breasted tuxedo, and all this was just for the American wedding! The couple spared no expense when it came to creating the perfect wedding experience.
George & Amal Clooney: $4 Million Budget
When you're rich and famous, what else are you going to spend your money on if not your wedding? George and Amal Clooney apparently saw it that way, as they reportedly spent close to $4.6 million on their four-day wedding celebration.
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How can a wedding be so expensive? Well, start by putting up guests in a five-star hotel in Italy and then providing five-course meals to every one of them. Considering just how many guests this famous couple invited, it's no wonder the price tag was so high.
Kim Kardashian & Kanye West: Countless Custom Flowers
When Kim Kardashian and Kanye West tied the knot in 2014, it was big news. This power couple couldn't have gotten by without a ceremony that was anything less than breathtaking. To set the mood and wow their guests, they ordered more than 100,000 flower arrangements from one of the oldest florists in Florence, Italy.
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To adequately celebrate, Kim also had four different dress changes as they marked the occasion in both Paris and Italy. At the dinner reception, they didn't just settle for name cards. They engraved their guests' names into marble.
Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel: Surprise Location
It's not always easy for celebrities to get some privacy. On as big a day as a wedding, the paparazzi are practically chomping at the bit to get some choice snapshots, and sometimes celebrities go to great lengths to keep them from succeeding.
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Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were so dedicated to privacy that they kept the location a secret from everyone, including their guests, until just before the event began. Oh, and they also spent a whopping $6.5 million on the event, complete with fireworks over the Italian coast.
David & Victoria Beckham: Celebrity or Royalty?
Maybe the lines get blurred sometimes between celebrity and royalty. David and Victoria Beckham flirted with this concept at their 1999 wedding in Ireland, when they chose an honest-to-goodness castle as their location. Victoria also had an 18-karat gold tiara perched atop her head.
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They did keep the ceremony itself humbly small, however, with a mere 29 people in attendance. After saying "I do," a pure-white dove was released into the skies, and a flag with their initials was raised. They also went big and sliced the cake with a sword.
Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian: Million-Dollar Accessories
Not all celebrities save the big bucks for the reception. Sometimes, the most expensive thing in a wedding is what's hanging from the bride's ears. At Serena Williams' marriage to Alexis Ohanian, she wore what amounted to $3.5 million in jewelry.
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Williams didn't skimp on the dress, either. Her second gown of the evening took designer Donatella Versace an incredible 1,500 hours to complete. That's a lot of effort for a night that lasts a few hours, but, hey, anything for one of the best athletes in the world!
Christina Aguilera & Jordan Bratman: Chilly Themes
Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman decided to go for a winter wonderland theme when they got married in 2005. Their elaborate ceremony took place in Napa Valley, California, and cost them a cool $2 million — actually a modest budget compared to some other couples on our list.
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Sadly, the two didn't last as a married couple and split less than six years later. Apparently, celebs aren't any more immune to marital problems than the rest of us, no matter how much money they spent on the wedding. When it comes down to it, all that matters is the substance of the relationship.
Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries: Millions Spent for 72 Days
Kim Kardashian's famous 2011 wedding to Kris Humphries made headlines for more than just the pretty dress. The engagement ring alone cost $2 million, and the wedding clocked in at $6 million. Maybe this wedding was a wise investment, considering it was made into a popular E! special — or not.
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In the end, all that money was spent on a marriage that lasted a miniscule 72 days. That's less than three months of married life. Their short time together led many to believe the whole thing was simply a publicity stunt.
Celine Dion & René Angélil: Giving the People What They Want
While certain celebrities seek privacy and exclusivity on their big day, others have no qualms about giving the people exactly what they want. Celine Dion and René Angélil decided to broadcast their wedding live so all their loving fans could be a part of the excitement.
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Dion also showed off her famous crystal headpiece made with 2,000 separate stones. Her gown had a 20-foot train flowing behind it, and the couple held a $500,000 press conference after the ceremony. This was one couple that welcomed the press with open arms rather than stress out about dodging them.
Mariah Carey & James Packer: The Canceled Wedding
When you go through the trouble of designing a custom-made dress, reserving a location, organizing a guest list and deciding on color schemes and flower choices, having your husband-to-be call it off can be extra devastating. That's exactly what happened to Mariah Carey.
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When her betrothed, James Packer, sabotaged the relationship before they could say "I do," Carey literally set fire to her $250,000 wedding dress. She also sold the $10 million engagement ring Packer had given her. She apparently intended to make a statement before moving on, no matter how much it cost.
Madonna & Guy Ritchie: Non-Disclosures for Everyone!
It's not uncommon for celebrities to give their guests non-disclosure agreements they have to sign to make it through the front door. It's understandable — is it really? — that they need to protect themselves from guests snapping photos to sell or spilling the beans to media outlets. (Or maybe they should just get better friends.)
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Madonna and Guy Ritchie chose this option for their 2000 wedding but for staff instead of guests. The staff made sure everything went smoothly in the location they chose — a real-life Scottish castle — and made sure they kept the details of the affair to themselves.
Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas: Wedding of the Year
Some celebrities see weddings as a way to showcase their wealth. When you have more money than you can spend, throwing the best parties can be a way to stay busy and establish status. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas won themselves "wedding of the year" with their New York bash in 2000.
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How did they do it? They booked performances by Art Garfunkel, Jimmy Buffett and a Welsh choir and spent $300,000 on a tiara and $140,000 on a wedding gown. There was a star-studded guest list, of course, and the event took place at the New York City Plaza Hotel.
Liza Minnelli & David Gest: All-Star Line-Up
Can you imagine having Michael Jackson as your best man? Well, that's exactly what Liza Minnelli's groom David Gest had at their wedding. And that's not all! Elizabeth Taylor stepped in as Liza Minnelli's maid of honor. With these people in her wedding party, she could have made guests pay to attend.
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Minnelli would have made a fortune had she done so, considering she invited an unbelievable 850 people to the big event. Those numbers only add up when you have two of the most famous people in American history standing next to you. We're guessing everyone said yes to this RSVP.
Alexandra Lenas & Sean Parker: Costumes for All
When you get invited to a lavish celebrity wedding, you can't exactly say "no" to their requirements. If you were lucky enough to get an invite to Alexandra Lenas and Sean Parker's wedding, you had to be willing to step into a Lord of the Rings costume.
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That's right, they had outfits made for every one of their guests. To finish the Tolkien theme, they got married in a redwood forest with a stone castle shipped in — yes, shipped — a 100-foot throne crafted for the bride and a Celtic soundtrack playing in the background.
Elton John & David Furnish: Hundreds on the Guest List
When you're as famous as Elton John, whittling down the guest list can be torturous. After all, you don't get to Elton's level of fame without making a good deal of friends along the way. That's why Elton and David Furnish settled on a mere 600 guests for their wedding.
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It sounds like an expensive event, right? Surprisingly, the couple only spent $1.5 million on the whole thing. Sure, that's a lot of money, but considering how much other celebrities typically spend, that was some pretty good belt tightening. Despite the thriftiness, they threw one heck of a memorable party.
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban: Gifts for the Guests
When the couple in question is shelling out millions on their wedding, guests can expect to get some pretty cool party favors. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban might hold the record for the best gift bag ever, considering they gave each guest an engraved Tiffany clock.
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In case you were wondering, those things don't sell for cheap. The couple spent $80,500 in total on the favors without even blinking. Their friends and family certainly must have appreciated them after that. Let's just hope they got some great wedding gifts in return!
Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz: Going Goth
Not all famous couples shower their wedding guests in white and pink. In 2000, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz decided to go goth for their ceremony. Black bridesmaid's dresses and 10,000 black roses adorned the happy occasion. Compared to other celebrities, however, they kept things low-key with just 150 guests at the event held in their L.A. home.
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Simpson says she was going for Alice in Wonderland, and fans got behind her. Would you expect anything less from a punk-rock relationship? Despite the gorgeous — and inventive — wedding, the two called it quits just three years later.
Nicole Richie & Joel Madden: Exotic Animals
Most people can agree that not all celebrities are alike. Reality TV stars, for example, tend to be more over-the-top than others. That's exactly what family expected from Nicole Richie on her big day, and that's what they got. Despite doing the deed in Beverly Hills, the couple somehow managed to have elephants at the wedding — a long time dream of Richie's.
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They invited hundreds of their friends and family, and Richie showcased three different gowns throughout the night. The entire event was one dream come true for her. Would she have accepted anything less?
Salma Hayek & François-Henri Pinault: Masquerading on the Town
Who wants the party to end after just one night? Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault wanted their festivities to last all weekend, so that's exactly what they did. They brought guests out to Venice, Italy, for a weekend of masquerading.
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The groom's side of the family put in their fair share for the wedding too. Pinault's father spent $70 million on restorations of the historic Italian house that was to be the wedding's location. Talk about a hefty investment! It looks like it paid off, at least, since the couple remains together today.
Katy Perry & Russell Brand: A Downright Safari
Katy Perry's relationship with Russell Brand was known for being a bit eccentric, and they lived up to this reputation at their 2010 wedding in India. Not only were guests invited to tour the parks in the area, but their reception featured many native exotic animals.
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The bridal party included elephants, horses and 21 camels that followed Brand down the aisle. There's no telling how much this spectacle cost, but apparently it wasn't enough to save the marriage. The pair ended up abruptly splitting in 2012. At least the wedding was one to remember.
Star Jones & Al Reynolds: Definition of Glamour
Lawyer and TV personality Star Jones knew how to pull out all the stops when it came to her wedding with Al Reynolds. Her veil had a 27-foot train, and she wore a tiara on her head as she walked down the aisle. Her 450 guests were also treated to "crystal-dusted" tables.
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Sadly, their relationship didn't last, but that didn't keep Jones from finding love. She married Ricardo Lugo on a classy cruise in 2018. It may not have been as dramatic as the first wedding, but it was still full of love.
Britney Spears & Kevin Federline: Surprise Ceremony
Ever been tricked into attending a wedding? Well, guests at Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's wedding experienced just that. They had been dating for only three months when they got engaged, and they decided they wanted something a little more unorthodox for the ceremony.
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Guests arrived at their house thinking they were headed to an engagement party, but then they were handed a card that announced the news. "Surprise!" The couple would be doing the deed that evening. They gave their bridal party special outfits and tied the knot on the spot. Apparently, they just couldn't wait any longer.
Carmelo Anthony & La La Vazquez: A Wedding Reality Series
When Carmelo Anthony and La La Vazquez got married, they didn't just hire photographers. Instead, they had cameramen filming the preparations, ceremony and reception, all for a five-part VH1 reality mini-series. Famous celebs like Kim Kardashian, LeBron James and Ciara were on the guest list.
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Singer Ciara even sang some on-the-spot rap verses during the party to entertain the guests. This big affair took place in none other than New York City, and Vazquez's outfit alone cost $250,000. For this couple, of course, it was only a drop in the bucket.
Pamela Anderson & Kid Rock: Breaking Tradition
Not all celebrities throw million-dollar weddings. Some go over-the-top in other ways. Take Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock. These rock and roll stars didn't want to do the whole white dress and black-tie affair. Instead, they did a white bikini and black sailor hat ceremony.
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This all happened on a yacht, of course, with friends like Cindy Crawford and Tamara Mellon present. It was supposed to be the "pre-wedding" before the real deal in Malibu, but the couple didn't last long enough to realize those dreams. They divorced after only four months.
Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton: Getting Married Country-Style
When two country music stars get together, you can bet their wedding is going to be unique. Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton set themselves apart from their celebrity counterparts by serving their guests venison — from a deer that Lambert hunted herself.
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This Texas event included celebrities like Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson, and, of course, Lambert slipped some cowboy boots on her feet before walking down the aisle. It may not have been posh, but if the guests can be believed, it was a heck of a boot-stompin' good time.
Elizabeth Hurley & Arun Nayar: The Six-Day Celebration
Some cultures celebrate weddings as if they were marathons—with several days of outrageous festivities. Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar had their first wedding in the traditional Christian manner, but then they let loose for six days of traditional Indian celebrations.
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That means dancing horses, sacred fires and aisles lined with chili peppers. This businessman and actress knew how to tie the knot in style, but they also knew how to untie it too. Despite all the elaborate celebrating, the two ended up getting a divorce in 2011.
Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes: As Big as Their Love
Everyone remembers Tom Cruise's famous interview with Oprah when he jumped on the couch because he couldn't contain his love for Katie Holmes. All of his excitement was eventually funneled into their wedding via extravagant fireworks and performances from Andrea Bocelli and Mark Ronson.
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The location for this shindig? Odescalchi Castle in Italy, of course! It seems that many celebrities like Italian weddings and castle weddings, so what better idea than to merge the two together? The bill totaled $3.5 million, and, no, the relationship did not last.
Emma Slater & Sasha Farber: A Buffet to Die For
Let's face it, most people show up to weddings for the free food. When it's a celebrity wedding, you know you can expect to get some good eats. Emma Slater and Sasha Farber, from the TV show Dancing with the Stars, knew they wanted the food to be out of this world.
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With cold meats, seafood towers and loads of shrimp and oysters, the spread didn't leave any guests complaining. For dessert, they had chocolate, vanilla, carrot, almond, and banana cake for guests to enjoy. With that lineup, no one was going home early.
Brody Jenner & Kaitlynn Carter: Going the Distance
When a celebrity wants a destination wedding, that's what they get. Brody Jenner and Kaitlynn Carter didn't want Italy or France. They wanted an island off the coast of Indonesia. Sumba Island was the place in question, and they spent four days there celebrating.
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The ceremony also included a horse and a water buffalo — for the traditional Sumbanese blessing, of course. Once they got that out of the way, they partied with their guests with fun activities like horse racing. It was certainly a party the guests will never forget.
Prince William & Kate Middleton: Royalty Is Celebrity
These days, members of the royal family double as celebrities for the general public. One of the major differences, however, is that a royal wedding gets a lot more publicity than any old celebrity wedding. After all, it's literally a national event.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding was televised for all to see, and it cost no less than $34 million. That money wasn't all for gowns and catering, either. Most of it was actually put toward security measures. It's not easy keeping royalty safe when millions of eyes are on them.
who goes wedding dress shopping with the bride
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