All brides want to look their best on their wedding day; ditto, for celebrities. However, because they are already constantly in the limelight, it takes a little something extra to commemorate the special occasion and take it to new heights. When it comes to weddings, many celebrities go to great lengths to create a fairy tale experience suitable for their larger-than-life personas. And the wedding attire? Designer custom-made gowns that effortlessly blend their personal styles and aesthetics — all of which come with a hefty price tag. Today, we take a look at the most expensive celebrity wedding gowns that have taken the word “priceless” to whole new heights.
In a world that has seen a 5-day long USD 59 million Parisian wedding, there is nothing too extravagant for commemorating the day you marry your soulmate. And if you think celebrities only dazzle on the red carpet, just wait till you see the magnificence of couture unleashed at weddings. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the most expensive celebrity wedding dresses that have graced the aisle.
Celebrity with the most expensive wedding dresses ever
Marie-Chantal Miller: USD 225,000
The Crown Princess of Greece and Princess of Denmark Marie-Chantal Miller married Prince Pavlos of Greece in 1995, dressed in a stunning long-sleeve gown in keeping with royal tradition. Her magnificent choice was a USD 225,000 pearl-encrusted Valentino gown with a 14-foot Chantilly lace train, which added a touch of regal grandeur to her wedding look.
Mariah Carey: USD 250,000
Despite her eventual breakup with billionaire James Packer, Mariah Carey’s bridal gown that never made it down the aisle drew much public attention. Due to the annulled engagement, the would-be Valentino gown, which reportedly cost around USD 250,000, never had its moment in the spotlight. So, in truly dramatic diva-like fashion, Carey chose to feature the six-figure bridal gown in a music video for her song “I Don’t” ft. YG, first wearing it and then setting it on fire.
Meghan Markle: USD 265,000
The royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex broke traditions and created a new tone, as symbolised by Meghan Markle’s bridal gown. Meghan’s Givenchy gown, designed by famous British designer Clare Waight Keller, dominated the ceremony and had a lasting impact on wedding gown trends. The off-the-shoulder gown was made of pure white silk cady and had a long skirt, making it a real showstopper. Importantly, Meghan Markle defied precedent by apparently footing the bill for the gown herself. The five-meter-long silk tulle veil she wore was trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza. The Duchess of Sussex’s wedding gown not only made a fashion statement, but also highlighted her tendency to push boundaries and adopt a modern look.
Amal Clooney: USD 380,000
George Clooney tied the knot with human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin and the couple spared no expenses while celebrating their love on their USD 4.6 Million wedding. Amal exchanged vows in a stunning off-the-shoulder lace gown made by Oscar de la Renta, which cost USD 380,000. This gown is significant because it was the late designer’s final wedding gown before his death. The gown received tremendous appreciation, and it was even featured in an Oscar de la Renta exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts for a while. Despite its high price, the gown’s worth exceeds its monetary value, making it an invaluable piece in the history of wedding gowns.
Coleen Rooney: USD 392,000
In 2008, childhood sweethearts Coleen and Wayne Rooney came together in holy matrimony in a lovely ceremony in Portofino, Italy. She chose a stunning Marchesa wedding gown designed by Georgina Chapman for her walk down the aisle. The gown cost around USD 392,000 and featured a strapless neckline, a basic bodice, and a skirt made out of frilled silk organza fans. Coleen accessorised her attire with crystal-encrusted Christian Louboutin heels and arranged her hair in an elegant bun, completing her wedding day appearance.
Chiara Ferragni: USD 420,000
In 2018, Italian blogger and designer Chiara Ferragni married Federico Leonardo Lucia, an Italian rap superstar popularly known as Fedez, in Noto, Italy. Collaborating with creative director of Dior Maria Grazia Chiuri, Ferragni curated two separate outfits for the significant occasion. Together, both styles cost a whopping USD 420,000, the first of which was a modest, and yet lovely gown featuring a lace bodice and tulle skirt, which she wore to the wedding. Later, for the reception, Ferragni changed into a white tulle gown with a corset top and beautiful embroidery showing pictures of lions and hearts. Both looks were classic and timeless, beautifully highlighting the bride’s aesthetics and style.
Salma Hayek: USD 434,000
In 2009, Actress Salma Hayek married Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of the Kering business, in a beautiful ceremony in Venice, Italy. Nicolas Ghesquière’s Balenciaga gown for the actress featured an exquisitely crafted deep V-neck bodice that flowed beautifully into a full-bodied skirt. The gown cost a whopping USD 434,000, reflecting the opulent tone of the celebration. Given the cost of renting out Europe’s oldest opera house and a guest list that included Charlize Theron, Lily Cole, and Penelope Cruz, it’s clear that no corners were cut when it came to setting up the lavish Venetian party.
Kate Middleton: USD 434,000
The Duchess of Cambridge looked like a modern-day Cinderella in a stunning bespoke Alexander McQueen gown on her wedding day. The outfit was a work of art made from the most sumptuous fabrics, including French Chantilly and English Cluny lace, as well as ivory and satin gazer. The Sarah Burton design, which cost USD 434,000, was undoubtedly fit for royalty. The Princess of Wales wore a gown with a long skirt and an eight-foot train made of handcrafted lace. Its timeless design radiated romance, classic elegance, and ethereal beauty. The low waist emphasised her waistline, while the long sleeves and lace collar were inspired by historical bridal gown designs, such as Grace Kelly’s renowned wedding gown.
Kim Kardashian: USD 500,000
It’s hardly surprising that Kim Kardashian made our list of the most expensive celebrity wedding dresses ever. When Kim and Kanye got married in 2014, she walked down the aisle in a handcrafted couture Givenchy gown worth USD 500,000. The dress was elegant, with long sleeves and a trumpet silhouette. Kim Kardashian looked nothing short of heavenly in the stunning bridal gown. Elegantly crafted, the full-sleeved lace gown with its flowery fabric made a statement and emanated a romantic charm that left a lasting impression.
Victoria Swarovski: USD 1 Million
Victoria Swarovski’s wedding gown was a work of art, reflecting the heights of bridal splendour. The custom-made gown was meticulously crafted with over 500,000 Swarovski crystals, making it a beautiful and extravagant masterpiece. Designed by Michael Cinco, the special bridal gown featured exquisite craftsmanship, underscored by a plunging neckline that transformed Victoria into a real-life fantasy princess.
This remarkable masterpiece also came with a substantial price tag, and it is estimated to be worth more than USD 1 million, reflecting its outstanding craftsmanship and exquisite materials. Due to the stunning array of crystals that adorn its expanse, the dress weighed in at around 100 pounds. The Swarovski jewellery heiress accessorised her regal gown with a 26-foot-long veil, completing the set.
Jennifer Lopez: Around USD 1 Million
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck celebrated their second wedding ceremony at Affleck’s mansion in Riceboro, Georgia, in a star-studded traditional ceremony. Regardless of the presence of celebrity guests, all eyes were drawn to Jennifer Lopez’s gorgeous wedding gown. The singer and actress walked down the aisle in a custom gown fashioned by American designer Ralph Lauren, before changing into two more gorgeous Ralph Lauren gowns throughout the evening — an incredible feat given that Lauren has only designed wedding gowns for a small number of people, including his daughter, daughter-in-law, niece, and Priyanka Chopra.
The gown Lopez selected to walk down the aisle in featured a fitted short butterfly-sleeve silhouette as well as a tiered skirt with a lovely ruffled train. A 20-foot-long thin veil trailed behind, gracefully merging with the stark white aisle. While the actual cost of the dress is unknown, considering the custom-made nature of Ralph Lauren’s creations, it is expected to easily exceed USD 1 million.
Angelababy – Unknown
If you think Hollywood celebrities are the only ones with ultra-expensive wedding dresses, think again. Chinese model, actress, and singer Angela Yeung, better known by her stage name, Angelababy, tied the knot with actor, singer and model Huang Xiaoming in 2015 in a bespoke Christian Dior gown. The couple is popularly known as the “Kim and Kanye of China”. The iconic fashion house crafted the one-of-a-kind wedding gown using 115 feet of ivory satin organza and 165 feet of tulle. With a budget of USD 31 million set for the wedding day, it’s safe to assume that the dress crosses the seven-figure mark and is among one of the most expensive wedding dresses ever. The beautiful dress is the result of five laborious months, comprising seven petticoats, a 10-foot-long train, and about 100 Chantilly lace roses; it is truly a work of art.
Queen Elizabeth: USD 1.6 Million
Queen Elizabeth has left a lasting impression on the fashion world, particularly with her iconic wedding gown, which set the tone for the fashion choices of her reign. Designed by Normal Hartwell, the royal wedding gown was made of Duchesse satin and featured long sleeves embellished with delicate flower embroidery, crystal decorations, and pearl appliqués. Hartwell borrowed inspiration from Botticelli’s masterwork “Primavera” for the gown, which cost USD 42,000 in 1947; today, that dress would be worth USD 1.6 million.
Priyanka Chopra: Around USD 2 Million
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’s wedding in Jodhpur was an intimate but extravagant affair. Throughout the 3-day spectacle, the actress glowed in many breathtaking dresses. For the Indian ceremony, she opted for a traditional red lehenga designed by celebrated Indian designer Sabyasachi.
For the Christian wedding, Chopra engaged celebrated designer Ralph Lauren to create a show-stopping gown that reportedly cost around USD 2 million. She donned only the fourth wedding gown ever created by the renowned designer and the first outside his family. The bespoke wedding garment, a strapless column gown, was a work of art that required a whopping 1,826 hours of painstaking handmade crafting and was embellished in over 2 million pearlescent sequins. Over it, Chopra wore a high-necked coat featuring scrolling floral motifs made up of 32,000 pearlescent sequins, 11,632 Swarovski crystals, and 5,600 seed beads. The overall ensemble resulted in a stunning figure-hugging design that blended grace and modernity. Priyanka accessorised with a 75-foot tulle veil and custom Jimmy Choo shoes, raising the look to the pinnacle of luxury.
Serena Williams: USD 3.5 Million
Pro tennis player Serena Williams tied the knot with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in 2017, and her princess wedding gown stole the spotlight. Designed by Sarah Burton, her Alexander McQueen dress featured an embellished cape and sweetheart neckline befitting of the wedding theme ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and came with a price tag of a whooping USD 3.5 million. Williams walked down the aisle at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, and complemented the spectacular ball gown with XIV Karats jewellery.
For the reception, Serena changed into a feathered Versace gown, and later changed into a mini dress before taking the centre stage for her first dance with her new husband.
(Main image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images; featured image: Jane Barlow/ Getty Images)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which celebrity wore the most expensive wedding dress?
Serena Willam’s USD 3.5 million gown is the most expensive celebrity wedding dress to date.
– What was the cost of Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress?
Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress cost a staggering USD 500,000.
