Celebrities have managed to pull off some truly spectacular weddings over the years—but it hasn't come at a low cost. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images; Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Photography via Getty Images; Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
It's no secret to anyone planning a wedding these days that what is set to be the happiest day of your life is also likely to be one of the most expensive.
According to The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study, the average couple in the U.S. spends roughly $33,391 on their big day, and that number only grows higher when honeymoons are factored in as well. However, that number is barely even a drop in the bucket when compared to what celebrities around the world may shell out for their own weddings.
Among some of the most expensive weddings in history are those belonging to various European royal families, with the recent wedding of Great Britain's Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle estimated to have cost a total of $45 million. Ivy Jacobson, the Senior Digital Editor at The Knot shared with International Business Times that among the expenses at the recent royal wedding was a $290,000 price tag on the invitations by Barnard & Westwood.
Security is also a large expense where similar weddings are concerned. While Prince William's 2011 nuptials to Kate Middleton only came in at $34 Million, significantly lower than his younger brother's, nearly the entire budget went to security costs for the future King of England. According to E! News, $32 million of the budget was spent solely on protective measures.
Of course, Hollywood royalty also makes sure to shell out some big money when it comes to their own weddings. While security may be a factor at their own events, it isn't nearly as expensive, allowing them the freedom to drop a cool few million on other elements of their big days, like cakes, flowers, venues, and of course, their designer attire, including custom gowns for the brides.
Whether they spend a few million or a few hundred thousand, several celebrities made sure to pull out all the stops for their wedded bliss. Even cases of vow renewals have seen no expense spared for the couple's happy day in some cases. Some couples were even able to afford their extravagant weddings due to someone else footing the bill. This even holds true in cases where the marriage didn't quite have a happily-ever-after ending after all.
The extravagant weddings, of course, aren't only limited to royalty. Several heirs and heiresses have also been known to have some lavish affairs.
32. (tie) NeNe and Gregg Leakes: The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" personality spared no expense when she remarried her former husband in 2013, spending $1 Million on the nuptials. The couple can be seen attending the NBC Golden Globes After Party in Beverly Hills, California on Jan. 10, 2016. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NBCUniversal25. (tie) Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith: The former "James Bond" star wed the former television journalist in an Irish castle in 2001. The $1.5 million nuptials featured a six-tier carrot wedding cake and a fireworks display. The couple can be seen attending the amfAR Gala Cannes 2018 in Cap d'Antibes, France on May 17, 2018. Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images for Chopard/amfAR25. (tie) Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren: When one of the world's most famous golfers married his Swedish model wife in 2004, he put a lot of detail into their ceremony, which took place at resort in Barbados. Among the special elements were 500 imported red roses and a performance by Hootie and the Blowfish. The total cost was $1.5 Million, but the pair's wedded bliss wasn't meant to last. They split in 2010. The former couple is photographed at the Presidents Cup golf competition in San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2009. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images29. Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson: When Jessica Simpson decided to marry her second husband with a July 4th themed event, she kept true to the theme, featuring patriotic sparklers, a photo booth, games, a Southern-Inspired buffet and a pie bar. She also made sure part of the $1.4 Million price tag went to her wardrobe, which featured a custom golden Carolina Herrera gown and $750,000 worth of Neil Lane jewelry. The couple is pictured at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Jessica Simpson Collection in New York City on Sept. 9, 2015. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Jessica Simpson Collection30. Kate Moss and Jamie Hince: According to The Daily Mail, the model's 2011 wedding (which cost an estimated $1.3 Million), was a three-day event featuring performances by Beth Ditto, Snoop Dogg, Shirley Bassey, Iggy Pop and Bryan Ferry. It also featured a Cristal champagne fountain and six-tier wedding cake. The couple, who split in 2016, can be seen attending a private view for the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibit in London on March 12, 2015. Anthony Harvey/Getty Images31. Peter Andre and Katie Price: When Andre, a singer, and Price, an English TV personality, wed in 2005, they did so to the tune of $1.2 Million, in a ceremony which featured a pink fairytale dress and a horse-drawn carriage. The couple split however in 2009. Here, they are photographed after completing the 2009 Flora London Marathon on April 26, 2009. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images32. Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman: The "Ocean's 8" actress spent $1 Million on her 2012 nuptials to Shulman. The rustic themed celebration took place along the coast in Big Sur, California. The couple is pictured attending the 2016 Guggenheim International Gala at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City on Nov. 17, 2016. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Christian Dior Couture32. (tie) Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston: Hollywood's one-time golden couple spent $1 Million on their 2000 nuptials, which featured 50,000 flowers and a fireworks display. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, they split in 2005 after Pitt met future wife Angelina Jolie. The former couple can be seen attending the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, 2004. Kevin Winter/Getty Images32. (tie) Donald and Melania Trump: The President and First Lady's 2005 nuptials kept costs low at just $1 Million since their ceremony took place in a church and the reception was held at his Mar-A-Lago Estate. Still, they made sure to have some lavish touches to their affair, including a $100,000 custom Dior gown for the bride, which weighed 60 pounds, was embroidered with 1,500 rhinestones and pearls, and featured a 13-foot train. The President and First Lady are photographed meeting with King Abdullah II and Queen Raina of Jordan in the White House Oval Office in Washington, DC on June 25, 2018. Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images32. (tie) Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner: The First Daughter's wedding four years after her father's was also reportedly $1 Million, after saving on venue fees by marrying at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey. The couple is pictured on their wedding day on Oct. 25, 2009. Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Photography via Getty Images32. (tie) Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom: After meeting one month prior and only taking nine days to plan their 2009 nuptials, they still made things extravagant, spending $1 Million. They officially divorced in 2016 after Kardashian first filed papers in 2013. The former couple can be seen attending the 19th Annual Race To Erase MS event in Century City, California on May 18, 2012. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images32. (tie) Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Kroy Biermann: According to The Daily Mail, the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" and "Don't Be Tardy" star's 2011 nuptials cost $1 Million—and featured three opulent outfits for the bride that totaled $92,000. The couple is photographed hosting the Kentucky Derby hat contest at Empire City Casino in Yonkers, New York on May 6, 2017. Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Empire City Casino at Yonkers RacewayMatt Damon and Luciana Barroso are pictured at the premiere of "Suburbicon" in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2017. Kevin Winter/Getty Images 25. (tie) Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones: Security and a diamond tiara for the actress were among the things that brought the couple's 2000 nuptials in New York City to a cool $1.5 Million. The pair is pictured together attending AARP's 15th Annual Movies For Grownups Awards in Beverly Hills, California on Feb. 8, 2016. Earl Gibson III/Getty Images32. (tie) Tori Spelling and Charlie Shanian: When "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Tori Spelling married actor Charlie Shanian in 2004 at her parent's fames L.A. mansion, she did so with a Badgley Mischka crystal beaded gown, a performance by Michael Feinstein, and a dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck. The affair cost $1 Million, but the couple's marriage fizzled in 2006. The former couple is photographed at Life & Style Magazine's Stylemakers even on May 26, 2005 in Hollywood, California. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images41. Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild: While its unclear what the exact total was for the Hilton heiress' wedding to her banker husband in 2015, it is known the price tag was in the multimillions. The couple married at Kensington Palace—a.k.a. the same grounds where Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reside—which isn't a cheap venue. The couple is pictured attending the Animal Haven 50th Anniversary Gala in New York City on June 14, 2017. Rob Kim/Getty Images for Animal Haven42. David and Victoria Beckham: When soccer player David Beckham and former Spice Girl Victoria Adams wed in 1999, their nuptials came to $800,000. Today, the same affair would have had a price tag of $1.2 Million. The couple is seen attending the British Fashion Awards in London on Nov. 23, 2015. Anthony Harvey/Getty Images43. Ashley Judd and Dario Franchitti: Ashley Judd and race car driver Dario Franchitti shelled out $750,000 for their 2001 nuptials at a castle in Scotland. The bride wore a gown by Armani, and guests partied in a giant tent that was outfitted with industrial heaters. The couple, who split in 2013, are photographed at the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 23, 2012. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images44. Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher: The "Cry Pretty" singer wed her NHL star husband in 2010 in a $500,000 ceremony, which saw the couple renting out the entire Ritz Carlton Lodge in Greensboro, Georgia. The couple is pictured attending the 2018 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on June 6, 2018. Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT44. (tie) Marc Anthony and Dayanara Torres: When Marc Anthony wed Miss Universe Dayanara Torres in 2000, they kept things small and simple. However, their 2002 vow renewal in Puerto Rico was far grander, costing $500,000 and featuring a crystal and pearl-embroidered satin dress by Reem Acra for the bride. The pair split in 2004. The former couple can be seen leaving the Old San Juan Cathedral in San Juan, Puerto Rico after their wedding on Dec. 7, 2002. Andre King/Primera Hora via Getty Images46. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban: The two Aussies wed in 2006 in a $250,000 ceremony in Sydney, Australia. Among the touches were hundreds of candles and red flowers, a Rolls Royce limousine, and a one-shouldered Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga gown and veil. The couple is photographed attending the Time 100 Gala in New York City on April 24, 2018. Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Time46. (tie) Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici: The "Bachelor" couple's 2014 televised nuptials ran an estimated total of $250,000—but ABC foot the bill. The couple is pictured attending the grand opening of I-Drive 360 in Orlando, Florida on April 29, 2015.Roberto Gonzalez/Getty Images for I-Drive 36048. Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich: Among the costs that led to a roughly $232-$236,000 affair between the "Dancing With the Stars" judge and her NHL player husband were a custom Marchesa gown estimated to be worth $20,000, $200,000 on accommodations for their guests and a $10-$15,000 fireworks display. The couple can be seen attending City Year Los Angeles' Spring Break: Destination Education event in Los Angeles on April 28, 2018. Rachel Murray/Getty Images for City Year Los Angeles49. Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy: The "Real Housewives of New York City" star married Hoppy at the Four Seasons hotel in 2010. It's unclear what the wedding cost specifically, though affairs at the venue are known for costing upwards of $200,000. Frankel and Hoppy, who split in 2016, are photographed at the Real Style Live event at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, New York on Sept. 25, 2010. G. Gershoff/Getty Images for Tanger Outlets50. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon: The singer and actor/entertainment personality renewed their vows several times after their initial 2008 wedding, and their fifth anniversary was no exception. That ceremony, which took place at Disneyland, is estimated to have cost them $180,000. The pair, who split in 2016, are pictured attending the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2014. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images14. Liza Minelli and David Gest: This $3.5 Million wedding between the legend and concert promoter featured a 50-piece orchestra and 12-tier wedding cake. The star-studded ceremony also featured Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor as the Best Man and Maid of Honor. However, the pair split a year later. The former couple are pictured at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California on July 25, 2002. Kevin Winter/ImageDirect2. Prince Albert II and Charlene, Princess of Monaco: When the reigning monarch of Monaco married Charlene Wittsock in 2011, it was done to the tune of $70 Million. The couple are pictured exiting their religious ceremony at the Prince's Palace in Monaco on July 2, 2011. Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images3. Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia: Mittal, the daughter of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, married banker Amit Bhatia in 2004 in a lavish wedding that was rumored to cost a whopping $66 Million—and took place at the Palace of Versailles in France. The pair are pictured arriving at their engagement party at Annabels nightclub in London on June 5, 2004. Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: The newlyweds certainly ran up an impressive price tag for their nuptials, which are believed to have cost about $45 Million. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are photographed sharing a kiss outside of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, on May 19, 2018. Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images5. Prince William and Kate Middleton: Though the 2011 nuptials of the second future King of England and his wife did come to a $34 Million total price tag, the bulk of the expenses were actually spent on security for the event, which came to a massive $32 Million. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are photographed sharing a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on April 29, 2011. Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images6. Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt: The British heiress married entrepreneur James Stunt in 2011 in a wedding that cost $20 Million. Among the many factors contributing to the total were her $1.3 million Vera Wang gown and performances by the Black Eyed Peas and David Guetta. The pair, pictured attending the presentation of the Petra Ecclestone menswear collection in Berlin on Sept. 17, 2009, split in 2017. Florian Seefried/Getty Images7. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries: Though the reality star and mogul's second trip down the aisle to the NBA star cost $10 Million, the marriage only lasted 72 days, basically meaning the pair's brief time as husband and wife ran a total of $138,888 per day. The former spouses are pictured arriving at the AmberLounge Fashion Monaco 2011 event on May 27, 2011 in Monaco. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images7. (tie) Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto: Among the items attributing to their total $10 Million price tag for their wedding were entertainment by Robin Thicke and Usher and a seven-layer, crystal encrusted rum wedding cake. Jordan and Prieto are pictured attending the 11th annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational gala at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on March 30, 2011. Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MJCI9. Wayne and Coleen Rooney: When Manchester United football player Wayne Rooney married TV presenter Coleen McLoughlin in 2008, the pair spent $1.5 million alone on four days of celebrations. When other things were factored in, including a $300,00 dress $600,000 on a performance by the band Westlife, the grand total for the day came to $7.7 Million. The pair are photographed watching Liverpool Day of the Aintree Grand National meeting in Aintree, England on April 12, 2012. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images10. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel: The superstar couple, who wed in Italy in 2012, spent $6.5 Million on their nuptials, which saw them booking an entire hotel for their friends and family, and paying to close down the surrounding buildings in an attempt to avoid paparazzi. They are seen here at the Hollywood Walk of Fame for a ceremony honoring 'NSYNC on April 30, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images11. George and Amal Clooney: When George Clooney finally decided marriage was for him, he spared no expense during his 2014 wedding to human rights attorney Amal Alamuddin. The $4.6 Million affair saw $3 Million of the budget go towards accommodations for their guests at the Cipriani hotel and Suites. They are pictured arriving at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor on May 19, 2018. Gareth Fuller/AFP/Getty Images12. Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello: The "Modern Family" star married Manganiello at a star-studded beach wedding in 2015, which cost a reported $4 Million. The actress and "Magic Mike" star are pictured at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California on March 4, 2018. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images12. (tie) Trista and Ryan Sutter: The first ever "Bachelorette" couple wed in a $4 Million televised ceremony, which ABC picked up the bill for. Among the expenses $25,000 rings and a $1 million Tacori necklace, as well as a $70,000 Badgley Mischka wedding gown. The stars are photographed at Jenna Morasca's 30th birthday party in New York City on Feb. 12, 2011. Paul Morigi/Getty Images1. Prince Charles and Princess Diana: Though it didn't cost that much when they wed in 1981, the grand affair between the future King of England and his first wife, when adjusted for inflation, would have cost $110 Million. The couple, who divorced in 1996, are pictured at their wedding at St. Paul Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. STR/AFP/Getty Images14. (tie) Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault: The actress and French CEO married in a star-studded $3.5 Million ceremony in 2009. Among their guests were Bono, Penelope Cruz and Woody Harrelson. The couple can be seen in this image at the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Met Gala event in New York City on May 7, 2018. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post16. Chelsea Clinton and Mark Mezvinsky: The former first daughter's 2010 wedding in Rhinebeck New York is estimated to have cost anywhere between $3-$5 Million, with costs including $600,000 on premium windowed and air-conditioned tents and $500,000 on flowers. The bride and groom are photographed at their nuptials on July 31, 2010. Genevieve de Manio via Getty Images17. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills: The former Beatle's second trip up the aisle cost a total of $3 Million, though that figure paled in comparison to the $50 Million he shelled out on a divorce settlement six years later. The former spouses are pictured at the Fifth Annual Adopt-A-Minefield Gala in Beverly Hills, California on Nov. 15, 2005. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images18. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West: For her third marriage, the reality star opted for something that cost far less than her infamously short marriage. Her 2014 marriage to the rapper only cost $2.8 Million, with an estimated $500,000 going towards her Givenchy Haute Couture Gown. The couple can be seen in this photo from the MTV Video Music Awards in New York on Aug. 28, 2016. Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images19. Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar: The actress and business tycoon had two ceremonies for their 2007 nuptials. A total price tag of $2.5 Million bought them one traditional Anglican wedding in an English castle and a week of celebrations and a Hindu Ceremony in Jodhpur, India. The couple, who split in 2011, are photographed at the Evelyn H. Lauder photo exhibition at Galeries Lafayette in Paris on June 1, 2010. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images20. Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman: The singer married the music producer in 2005 in a wedding that cost $2 Million. Though their wedding included a 14-piece orchestra and took place in a private vineyard, their marriage wasn't meant to last, as they split five years later. The former couple is pictured at the MAXIM Magazine 100th Issue Celebration at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas on April 8, 2006. Michael Buckner/Getty Images20. (tie) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes: During their 2006 nuptials in Italy, the former couple paid out roughly $900,000 just on airfare for their guests. In the end, their grand total is estimated to have been about $2 Million. The couple, who split in 2012, can be seen in this image from their wedding at Castello Odescalchi in Bracciano, Italy, on Nov. 18, 2006. Robert Evans/Handout via Getty Images22. Madonna and Guy Ritchie: The pop legend and the director booked a Scottish castle for their 2000 nuptials. That, along with the bride's $80,000 Stella McCartney dress, made the cost of the affair somewhere between $1.5-$2.1 Million. The couple, who split eight years later, are photographed at the screening "I Am Because We Are" at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 21, 2008. Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images23. Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky: The actress, who was known for her multiple marriages, marries construction worker Larry Fortensky in October 1991. The wedding, her eighth and final one, cost between $1.5-$2 Million and was held at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The former couple, who divorced five years later, are pictured arriving at a press conference for the "ART against AIDS" organization in Basle on June 11, 1991. Rolf Haid/AFP/Getty Images23. (tie) Elton John and David Furnish: Among the cost that brought Sir Elton's nuptials to his longtime partner for an estimated $1.5-$2 Million were approximately a $130,000 price tag on champagne and caviar for 600 guests. The couple are seen pictured at the Guildhall in Windsor following a civil partnership ceremony on Dec. 21 2005. Andy Stuart/AFP/Getty Images25. Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell: The comedian's wedding to Nicole Mitchell in March of 1993 took place at New York's Plaza Hotel and featured an off-the-shoulder white gown with French lace and a 12-foot-long train for the bride—and cost $1.5 Million. The pair, who divorced in 2006, are photographed at the HollyRods Designcure 7th Annual Benefit and fashion show in Pacific Palisades, California on July 9, 2005. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
