17 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings Of The Past 15 Years!
Published on September 12, 2013. Updated March 21, 2017Celebrities are well-known for excess. This is never more true than during a star-studded, dreamlike wedding. Some take place in exotic venues like private islands or ancient castles. Others employ famous musicians and photographers to make their day even more special. The price tag of these weddings can easily reach into the millions. Still, a budget-breaking ceremony is no guarantee for a lasting union. Take a look to see which of these stars are still together, those that split up, and who spent the most on the lavish affair.
Interestingly enough, 3 of the couples on this list also made our list of 15 of Hollywood’s Most Expensive Divorces!
17. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $250,000
Marriage Status: Still Married
The country-music crooner and Oscar-winning actress wed in an elaborate ceremony in June 2006. The wedding was held in Sydney, Australia’s Cardinal Ceretti Chapel. The bride arrived at the chapel in a Rolls Royce, wearing a Balenciaga gown. Urban performed at his own wedding, as did long-time friend Hugh Jackman. The couple remain married with two young daughters: Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.
16. Ashley Judd & Dario Franchitti
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $750,000
Marriage Status: Separated
Actress Ashley Judd and her racecar driver husband headed to Scotland for their nuptials in December 2001. They were wed at Skibo Castle, Andrew Carnegie’s former home which dates to the 12th century. Judd wore an Armani gown while her husband wore the traditional Scottish kilt. Judd and Franchitti separated in January 2013.
15. David & Victoria Beckham
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $800,000
Marriage Status: Still Married
One of the world’s most beautiful and most powerful couples, the Beckhams spared no expense when it came to celebrating their wedding. The ceremony took place in Dublin’s Luttrellstown Castle where they played the part of royalty. Victoria wore a diamond-encrusted crown and the duo rested on gilded thrones. Guests were entertained by the music of Sir Elton John as well as a fireworks display. The Beckhams have four children, daughter Harper and sons Brooklyn, Cruz, and Romeo.
14. Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1 million
Marriage Status: Divorced
The saga of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston is unknown by few. Though they divorced in 2005 after five years of marriage, their short union is still fodder for celebrity gossip rags. The wedding ceremony was held in Malibu at the home of TV producer Marcy Carsey. Approximately 50,000 flowers decorated the star-studded affair, which included Aniston’s “Friends” castmates.
13. Tori Spelling & Charlie Shanian
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1 million
Marriage Status: Divorced
Actress and heiress Tori Spelling chose a “Great Gatsby” theme for her marriage to actor Charlie Shanian. She wore a beaded Badgley Mischka gown and a diamond and platinum headband. The wedding was held in the sprawling Spelling estate in Los Angeles. Guests were given a treat with a champagne fountain and meals catered by Wolfgang Puck. The couple divorced after two short years.
12. Donald Trump & Melania Knauss
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1 million
Marriage Status: Still Married
It was the third wedding for Trump, but the first for his Slovenia-born model bride. Held at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopalian Church in Palm Beach, Florida, the wedding included a 36-piece orchestra and guests like Rudy Giuliani and Barbara Walters. The duo are still married and have a son together.
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11. Madonna & Guy Ritchie
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1.5 million
Marriage Status: Divorced
The Material Girl made certain to make her wedding to director Guy Ritchie a lavish affair. Like Judd and Franchitti, the two married at Skibo Castle. Madonna wore a Stella McCartney gown and a tiara that formerly belonged to Princess Grace of Monaco. They divorced in 2008 and have two children: Rocco, born four month prior to the wedding, and David, who was adopted in 2006.
10. Pierce Brosnan & Keely Shaye Smith
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1.5 Million
Marriage Status: Still Married
The Irish castle of Ballintubber Abbey was the setting for Brosnan and Smith’s nuptials in August 2001. Smith wore a Richard Tyler dress with a pearl-covered lace coat. Guests retired to Ashford Castle for the reception where they were treated to such luxuries as grilled lobster and a six-tier carrot cake. An ice sculpture of Rodin’s “The Kiss” graced the reception, which was followed by a fireworks display. The two remain married with two children.
9. Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1.5 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
Barbados was the location of the wedding between golfer Tiger Woods and his model bride. The pair rented the island’s only helicopter charter service to guarantee privacy on their special day. Hootie and the Blowfish provided entertainment, which was capped off by a fireworks display. The pair divorced in 2010 after six years of marriage.
8. Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1.5 Million
Marriage Status: Still Married
The fairy-tale wedding between actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones took place in November 2000 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Singers Mick Hucknall and Bonnie Tyler performed at the ceremony for guests such as Jack Nicholson and Sean Connery. The two separated in early 2013.
7. Elton John & David Furnish
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $1.5 Million
Marriage Status: Still Married
Within a week of the legalization of civil unions in the UK, pop superstar Elton John wed his long-time boyfriend David Furnish. They reserved Windsor’s Guildhall for the ceremony, which included over 600 guests. The pair served pink champagne and ice cream cake. They have two sons.
6. Christina Aguilera & Jordan Bratman
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $2 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
Married in November 2005, the pop singer and music executive chose a vineyard setting for their wedding. The Napa Valley ceremony included tents decorated with white roses and crystals. They were divorced after almost five years of marriage.
5. Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $2 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
Odescalchi Castle in Italy was the venue for the much-anticipated union between actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Giorgio Armani designed the wedding gown specifically for Holmes. Daughter Suri wore a matching Armani gown while Cruise wore a navy Armani tux. The pair split in 2012.
4. Elizabeth Hurley & Arun Nayar
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $2.5 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
It was an eight-day ceremony for the model turned actress and her business executive husband. The first ceremony was in Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. The second took place in the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India. They divorced in 2011 after four years of marriage.
3. Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $3 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
The June 2002 wedding took place in Ireland’s St. Salvador Church. Though it was the second marriage for both, it was treated with as much fanfare as a first. The wedding had a traditional Indian theme, complete with dancers and a vegetarian reception. McCartney wrote a song for the ceremony and performed at the reception. The couple divorced in 2008 and have a daughter named Beatrice.
2. Liza Minnelli & David Gest
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $3.5 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
The wedding between Minelli and Gest was filled with the top celebrities of the day, including the late Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor. Luxuries included a 60-piece orchestra, a 12-tier wedding cake, and personalized favors for each of the guests. The couple separated 18 months later.
1. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
Estimated Cost of Wedding: $10 Million
Marriage Status: Divorced
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries treated themselves to an elaborate and lavish wedding with an estimated price tag of $10 million. They said their “I do’s” at Montecito’s swanky Sotto Il Monte estate in front of over 1,000 guests. Kim donned 3 Vera Wang gowns for the big day, totalling an estimated $60,000. Over $2 million was reportedly forked over just for flowers on the special day. The real kicker? The happy couple spent exactly 72 days married before filing for separation. The divorce was finalized in April of this year.