10 most expensive weddings of the 21st century

Weddings closed US airspace, shipped dismantled chapels from Russia to Italy and spent millions of dollars ensuring the safety of guests in the UK

It's no secret that the tradition of wedding celebrations is gradually dying out, and modern newlyweds are striving to find more reasonable uses for their money. However, this trend does not apply to the powers that be: for them, marriage still serves as an occasion to once again demonstrate their power. This has always been the case and, apparently, will continue to be so: for example, the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer in 1981 cost the state treasury almost £3 million. But today the stakes have increased significantly. Forbes lists the 10 most expensive weddings in modern history.

*Fotodom · Sipa Press*
Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia

Cost: $60 million Year: 2005 Vanisha Mittal has long been at the top of the list of eligible brides: the daughter of Indian metallurgical magnate Lakshmi Mittal, she received a dowry amounting to billions of dollars. In 2004, Vanisha was blessed by her father to marry banker Amit Bhatia. The wedding celebration, for which the most romantic city in the world was chosen, lasted for a week. About 1,000 relatives and friends of the couple were brought to Paris. They received the invitations in boxes cast from silver. Guests walked through the Tuileries Garden, where other visitors were not allowed these days, admired the grandiose fireworks display and danced to a live performance by Kylie Minogue. At the celebration, about 5,000 bottles of Château Mouton-Rothschild wine were drunk and several tens of kilograms of caviar were eaten.

*Fotodom · Camera Press*
Prince William and Kate Middleton

*Cost: $34 million*

*Year: 2011*

In 2011, the whole world watched the wedding ceremony of the future heir to the British throne and his girlfriend at the University of St. Andrews. At the same time, many residents of the United Kingdom were extremely dissatisfied with the fact that the celebration was paid for, among other things, from the state budget. Despite the problematic economic situation in the state, the royal family purchased wedding flowers alone for a couple of hundred thousand pounds. A slightly smaller amount was spent on food for almost 2,000 guests, and several million were spent on security measures. Of course, Kate Middleton's parents made a substantial financial contribution to the preparations for the holiday - and did not show any dissatisfaction about it. This is understandable: it is not every day that a daughter marries a prince.

*Fotodom · Sipa Press*
Andrey Melnichenko and Alexandra Nikolic

*Cost: $30 million*

*Year: 2005*

The news that Andrei Melnichenko was getting married plunged oligarch hunters into despair. The Russian entrepreneur, who is a regular participant in the Forbes list, decided to throw in his lot with the holder of the Miss Yugoslavia title. Melnichenko and Nikolic not only got married, but also went through the wedding ceremony in the chapel, which was transported disassembled from the Moscow region to the Cote d'Azur, to the city of Antibes, especially for this purpose. Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston were also flown there on a private plane: the singers received $3.5 million each for agreeing to honor the businessman’s wedding with their presence. They were also joined by Julio and Enrique Iglesias. The famous French chef Alain Ducasse was in charge of the treats.

*Fotodom · Startracks Photo*
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries

*Cost: $10 million*

*Year: 2011*

The name of socialite Kim Kardashian is strongly associated with luxury. Having received a marriage proposal from basketball player Kris Humphries, the girl said that her wedding should capture the imagination of the American elite. Moreover, the groom did not skimp on the wedding ring: decorated with a 20.5-carat diamond, it cost about $2 million. Guests were received in a tent erected on the estate in Montecito, California. The inside was decorated with thousands of fragrant African roses, placed in elegant crystal vases made by Baccarat. Those invited were required to adhere to a strict dress code: only black or white outfits. They say the wedding expenses also included a full facelift for Kim's mother.

*Fotodom · Famous*
Wayne Rooney and Colin McLaughlin

*Cost: $8 million*

*Year: 2008*

Unlike other footballers, the Manchester United striker married not a model or actress, but a childhood friend whom he met at school. Rooney was in no hurry to propose, and the couple started talking about marriage only six years after the start of the relationship. The ceremony was modest and took only twenty minutes. But they celebrated the event on a grand scale: the newlyweds received guests on three yachts off the coast of the Italian Riviera. Those present received a box with a tropical butterfly and, at the command of the organizers, released them into the air. Rooney and McLaughlin refused gifts: they preferred that anyone who was going to present them with money would instead make a donation to a charitable organization.

*Fotobank · Getty Images*
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

*Cost: $5 million*

*Year: 2010*

The wedding of the only daughter of the former US president was held under strict secrecy. Chelsea Clinton and banker Marc Mezvinsky got married in Rhinebeck, New York. To prevent paparazzi from entering the ceremony and party, the roads leading to the city were closed, as was the airspace above it, and guests were given special identification bracelets. Like a real American bride, Chelsea chose a dress from designer Vera Wang, an old friend of the Clinton family. Three large catering companies worked on the exquisite treat, whose services cost a total of $750,000. The future spouses took vows of fidelity simultaneously in front of a pastor and a rabbi, since Chelsea is a Methodist and Mark is a Jew.

*Fotobank · Getty Images*
Liza Minnelli and David Guest

*Cost: $3.5 million*

*Year: 2002*

The wedding of the star of the film “Cabaret” and the American producer is often compared to the Grammy Awards ceremony: celebrities from the world of cinema and music gathered in the lobby of the Regent Hotel in New York. The guests were entertained by Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Mia Farrow rustled their skirts on the dance floor, and Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor were the best man and bridesmaid, respectively. The newly-made couple sealed their union with a passionate kiss and cut a cake worth $40,000 to applause. The satin bonbonniere that each invitee received read: “Lisa and David forever.” The bold prophecy was not destined to come true: Guest and Minnelli filed for divorce after a year and a half. Their separation was accompanied by a high-profile lawsuit regarding the division of property.

*Fotobank · Getty Images*
Heather Mills and Paul McCartney

Cost: $3 million Year: 2002 Paul McCartney's decision to marry Heather Mills caused a mixed reaction among both the musician's fans and members of his family. Many suspected the bride that she was driven not by love, but by self-interest. However, it was useless to argue with Sir Paul, and in June 2002 he said the cherished “yes” in a medieval Irish castle. At the Indian-themed wedding, The Beatles' hits were played, and Ringo Starr wandered among the guests. In the evening, the sky was painted with splashes of fireworks worth £100,000. McCartney refused to sign the marriage contract: they say that his feelings with Mills cannot be measured in money. Subsequently, the musician severely reproached himself for his short-sightedness: after the divorce, his once beloved wife tried to sue him for the lion's share of his fortune.

*Fotolink · AP Photo*
Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar

*Cost: $2.5 million*

*Year: 2007*

The wedding of the British actress and the Indian billionaire took a total of 8 days. First they got married in a Catholic church in England. Elizabeth Hurley was led down the aisle by Elton John, who took on the role of the imprisoned father. Then the couple, along with two hundred guests, went to Jodhpur and, after several wild parties, were married in accordance with Hindu tradition. The Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel, which in the past served as the residence of the Maharajas, was chosen as the venue for the ceremony. Unlike her colleagues in the shop, who prefer to shift the responsibility for preparing for the wedding onto the shoulders of specially trained people, Hurley took an active part in it. So, it was she who came up with the idea of giving each of the guests a pocket Kama Sutra.

*Fotobank · Getty Images*
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

*Cost: $2 million*

*Year: 2006*

The press is still savoring the details of the divorce of Tom Cruise and Katie Homls. But just recently the newspapers were full of photographs from their wedding, which took place in Italy, at Odescalchi Castle. The marriage was concluded in accordance with the canons of the Church of Scientology, of which Cruise is a follower. But the newlyweds had fun according to the usual social scenario: they danced to pop hits, received congratulations from friends, and enjoyed Italian cuisine prepared by the chefs of the Dal Bolognese restaurant. Andrea Bocelli sang tender ballads from the stage, and toasts were given by Brooke Shields, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez and the Beckhams. Roberta Armani, the niece of the famous designer who designed the outfits for the bride and groom, was invited to play the role of wedding organizer.

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10 most expensive weddings of the 21st century

Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Andrey Melnichenko and Alexandra Nikolic

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries

Wayne Rooney and Colin McLaughlin

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

Liza Minnelli and David Guest

Heather Mills and Paul McCartney

Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes