Weddings have long been associated with celebration, tradition, and increasingly high costs. While most couples plan carefully to stay within budget, history shows that some weddings have reached extraordinary levels of extravagance, often reflecting immense wealth, cultural significance, or royal status.
To put things into perspective, the average UK wedding cost now sits closer to £20,000–£24,000, depending on the source and what’s included (venue, catering, honeymoon, attire, and entertainment). Rising living costs and inflation mean many couples, particularly those aged 25–34, face difficult choices between hosting a large wedding or prioritising long-term financial goals such as buying a home.
According to multiple UK surveys over recent years, more than half of couples feel wedding costs are escalating faster than expected, with venues, catering, and travel accounting for the largest expenses. Honeymoons remain one of the most significant individual costs, often exceeding £3,500, followed by catering and venue hire.
While most weddings operate within realistic budgets, there have always been exceptions, celebrations entirely unaffected by financial constraints. Below are some of the most expensive weddings ever recorded, adjusted for context and, where relevant, inflation. If you are interested and here for ideas, check out our wedding marquee hire page by following the link, we provide marquee wedding services throughout Surrey and surrounding areas.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum & Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum
Widely regarded as the most expensive wedding in recorded history, the 1979 marriage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, is estimated to have cost around £80–90 million in today’s terms.
A purpose-built venue was constructed to host approximately 20,000 guests, and celebrations reportedly lasted several days. Local accounts describe widespread hospitality and public festivities, reinforcing the cultural importance of the occasion.
Seemanto Roy & Chandni Toor / Sushanto Roy & Richa Roy
In 2004, Indian industrialist Subrata Roy hosted a joint wedding celebration for his sons, reportedly costing around £80 million. More than 11,000 guests attended, with over 100 different dishes served.
Entertainment included a performance by the British Symphony Orchestra, and the event was professionally filmed by Bollywood director Rajkumar Santoshi. At the time, the wedding was considered one of the largest private celebrations in modern Indian history.
King Charles III & Princess Diana (1981)
Often referred to as the “Wedding of the Century”, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer cost approximately £30 million in 1981, which equates to £70+ million when adjusted for inflation.
Held at St Paul’s Cathedral, the ceremony was watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide, with over two million spectators lining the streets of London. The wedding featured 27 cakes, including a five-foot-tall main cake that reportedly took weeks to prepare.
Vanisha Mittal & Amit Bhatia (2004)
The daughter of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Vanisha Mittal’s wedding to Amit Bhatia reportedly cost £35–40 million. Guests received silver invitation boxes containing travel arrangements to Paris, luxury accommodation, and a multi-day programme of events.
The celebrations culminated in a private performance by Kylie Minogue, with venues including historic Parisian landmarks.
Prince William & Catherine Middleton (2011)
The wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales cost an estimated £20–23 million, with the majority of expenses attributed to security. Held at Westminster Abbey, the event was watched by hundreds of millions globally.
Approximately £500,000 was spent on floral arrangements, and the ceremony reinforced the continued global fascination with royal weddings in the modern era.
Extravagance vs Reality
While these weddings represent extreme outliers, they continue to capture public imagination due to their scale, cultural significance, and media coverage. For most couples, however, weddings remain deeply personal celebrations — increasingly focused on experience, flexibility, and meaning rather than pure extravagance.
Interestingly, modern trends show a shift toward bespoke venues, marquees, smaller guest lists, and personalised experiences, allowing couples to create memorable celebrations without approaching historic price tags.
Owner and founder of Crystal Marquee Hire.