THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT WEDDINGS OF ALL TIME
Through out history we have witnessed some of the most extravagant weddings from where we can find inspiration when planning our own dream day.
WEDDINGS are essentially a graceful symphony of dreams, love, and expertise. Couples celebrate their lifelong promise to each other by perfecting every little detail to create a magical event. With such a spectacle, it only makes sense that weddings can be some of the grandest occasions you can witness. This is why the average cost of a Canadian wedding is at least C$42,400. And even then, that lofty price is only a small portion of some of the most extravagant weddings of all time.
While most budgets will see the same general outline, like locations, music, attire, and food, it’s what fills those roles that make the grandest unions skyrocket. After all, even the best artists from Functional Central’s list of wedding bands for hire are a far cry from the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Beyonce in terms of global acclaim and asking fees. And yes, those powerhouse artists have sung and attended, respectively, a few of the ultra-chic weddings we dive into below. These are definitely not the only exorbitant weddings to ever grace the planet, but they are some of the most memorable.
Tennis superstar Serena Williams has not only blazed a trail for female athletes but also stepped up the game for extravagance in wedding couture. The Cheat Sheet reports that her gown cost a jaw-dropping $3.5 million to create, which is a hefty price tag that already matches the total expense for many of the most grandiose weddings we have seen in history. In line with the bride’s desire for a princess-themed wedding, she wore a stunning bespoke chiffon ball gown and paired it with a sparkling sheer cape – a dazzling outfit designed by Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen’s creative director.
The star-studded wedding took place in the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, an ode to the wonder and festivities that drew the bride and groom together. Even at the reception, Serena Williams appeared in a white Versace gown with beading that took thousands of hours to accomplish. By the end of the night, she naturally donned Nike Cortez athletic shoes in classic Serena fashion. If you were to seek out bridal beauty inspiration to match even one of the stunning looks she displayed throughout the night, you can seek out the Dior Cruise 2024 show featuring the artistry of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Peter Philips.
Cinematic doesn’t even begin to describe the wildly extravagant wedding ceremony of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. As the lovely bride strode down the aisle in custom Riccardo Tisci couture (of Givenchy fame), the one and only Andrea Bocelli performed the wedding march – to have the Opera veteran alone is already worth more than $100,000. Of course, Kanye West’s flair for aesthetics also shone as he donned XX. At the reception, John Legend and Lana Del Rey would also perform.
The Fort di Belvedere setting only served to make the wedding even more magical, with guests being exclusively flown in from Paris. To maintain the privacy of the couple and their 600 wedding guests, the Firo Della Signoria would create towering floral arrangements curated for the newlyweds. This would, years on, spark more controversy as Kourtney Kardashian is alleged to have “copied” the wedding, but who can blame her?
It makes perfect sense that Liza Minnelli and legendary producer David Gest would want to have a whirlwind wedding that still manages to be one of the most deliciously indulgent in recent memory. A guest list of 850 people including icons such as Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Kirk Douglas saw a crowd that was dressed exclusively in designer wear and pristine jewellery.
The wedding party saw Gloria Gaynor and Natalie Cole singing along with a 60-piece orchestra, with the Marble Collegiate Church venue being barricaded off against crowds and the paparazzi. Designers brought the majestic wedding to life, as Preston Bailey created the floral arrangements and Bob Mackie crafting the stunning ivory satin wedding dress that would be adorned with signature Mackie pearls and crystals.
If you look at cost alone, legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor’s fascinating wedding to construction worker Larry Fortensky doesn’t even scrape the top. That said, this is largely because of how much adoration Ms Taylor’s connections have for her – making many of the wonders a gift. For starters, the nuptials were held in the private 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch with Michael Jackson himself attending among other high-profile guests. A 100-strong security force guarded the private wedding, yet paparazzo still copped up some photographs that alone would sell for one million dollars!
Ms. Taylor donned her signature décolletage look wearing a light yellow layered gown which was a present from Valentino himself. Aside from her many grand weddings, the famed actress is notorious for her long-standing love affair with the diamonds of Tiffany and Cartier. Naturally, even in her most subtle wedding attire, she dons a pair of Cartier diamond earrings that cascade gracefully down to her neck.
