The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Prince Charles and Diana.
Photographs: Reuters.

The world witnessed one of the most expensive royal weddings today. The much-hyped wedding of Prince Williams and Kate Middleton, which hit headlines across the world, is estimated to cost a whopping $50-80 billion.

Here's a look at the world's most expensive weddings according to The Business Insider. Most of the high-profile weddings have ended in a divorce as well.

1. Prince Charles and Diana

Prince Charles and Diana's wedding was a grand extravaganza costing $48 million ($110 million in today's value).

Diana's wedding gown was valued at 9000 pounds (25,700 pounds in today's value) while the wedding cake cost $6,000. The wedding ring cost 30,000 pounds in 1981 (85,700 pounds in today's value). Prince William has given his mother's ring to Kate Middleton.

The fairytale wedding was watched by 750 million worldwide. Unfortunately, the wedding ended in a divorce on August 28, 1996.

Wedding bill: $48 million in 1981
($110 million when adjusted for inflation)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia.

2. Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia

Next on the list is the wedding of steel king Lakshmi Mittal's daughter Vanisha Mittal with investment banker Amit Bhatia.

This wedding took place at Vaux le Vicomte, a 17th-century chateau in France in 2004.

The wedding was a 5-day lavish affair. The invitation was a 20 page silver book. Around $1.5 million was spent on wine.

Wedding bill: $60 million in 2005
($66 million when adjusted for inflation)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Prince William stands at the altar with his bride, Kate Middleton, and her father Michael.
Photographs: Reuters.

3. Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding is estimated to cost around $50-80 million.

The floral decor is reported to cost $800,000 while the security arrangements cost $33 million. Kate's gown costs $300,000 to $450,000.

The official holiday on April 29 is set to cost the economy $6 billion.

Wedding bill: Estimated to be $50-80 million.

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin.
Photographs: Simon Bellis/Reuters.

4. Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin

Footballer Wayne Rooney hired a super-yacht at the rate of euro 90,000 per day for a week for his wedding party.

Wedding bill: $8 million in 2008

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky.

5. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

The extravagant wedding saw the former American President Bill Clinton spend $750,000 for catering, $11,000 for the cake, $109,000 for the tables and crockery, $15,000 for toilets and $500,000 for flowers.

Wedding bill: $5 million in 2010

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Singer Liza Minnelli and her husband David Gest pose for photographers
Photographs: Jeff Christensen/Reuters.

6. Liza Minnelli and David Gest

Singing legend and actress Liza Minnelli got married to concert promoter David Gest in 2002. It was a star-studded wedding in New York City.

The 6 feet tall, 12-tier cake cost $40,000. The couple split in July 2003 after 16 months of marriage.

Wedding bill: $3.5 million in 2002
($4.2 million when adjusted for inflation)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Elizabeth Taylor and her seventh husband, construction worker Larry Fortensky.
Photographs: Reuters.

7. Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky

Elizabeth Taylor got married the 8th time to construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991. It ended in a divorce after 5 years.

Wedding bill: $2.5 million in 1991
($4 million when adjusted for inflation)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills McCartney.
Photographs: Chris Pizzello/Reuters.

8. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills

Former Beatles' singer and songwriter Paul McCartney's wedding with former model Heather Mills cost $3 million. The fireworks at the grand ceremony at Monaghan in St. Salvador Church cost $150,000.

Settling the divorce suit cost a whopping $50 million for Cartney.

Wedding bill: $3 million
$3.6 million when adjusted for inflation.

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: British actress Elizabeth Hurley poses with husband Arun Nayar.
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters.

9. Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar

Actress and model Elizabeth Hurley got married to textile tycoon Arun Nayar in a eight-day celebration across Europe and Asia. This high profile wedding also ended in a divorce.

Wedding bill: $2.5 million in 2007
($2.6 million when adjusted for inflation.)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Singer Christina Aguilera with Jordan Bratman.
Photographs: Chris Pizzello/Reuters.

10. Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman

Singer Christina Aguilera got married to music producer Jordan Bratman. This marriage also ended in a divorce.

Wedding bill: $2 million in 2005
($2.2 million when adjusted for inflation)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters.

11. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

The grand wedding of Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes was held at Odescalchi Castle in Italy.

Wedding bill: $2 million in 2006
($2.2 million when adjusted for inflation)

The world's 12 most expensive weddings

Image: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas.
Photographs: Reuters.

12. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

Hollywood actors Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas organised one of the costliest celebrity weddings.

The bride's diamond tiara cost $300,000 and her gown cost $140,000.

Wedding bill: $1.5 million in 2005
($1.6 million when adjusted for inflation)

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