Princess Diana & Prince Charles on their wedding day (Hussein/All Action/Retna Ltd.)
We’re deep in the throes of wedding season, and the dress drama, Bridezilla moments, and Cinderella dreams that go along with the Big Day. So we thought this was the perfect time to take a break from shopping for last-minute gifts (Hmm, do they already have a breadmaker?) and trying to restyle those dreadful bridesmaids dresses into something you would at least consider wearing again, and take a look at some of the most luxe, lavish, and fantastically over-the-top celebrity unions in recent history.
While these dazzling multi-million dollar extravaganzas vicariously satisfied all of our fairy tale fantasies, it’s worth noting that only two of these star-studded unions have stood the test of time. Cheers to Céline Dion and René Angélil and the eternally gorgeous Beckhams! After perusing this list of glorious excesses, a simple backyard ceremony may just seem like the ultimate romantic gesture.
PRINCESS DIANA & PRINCE CHARLES • July 29, 1981
This legendary and ultimately ill-fated royal marriage was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England—3500 guests, and as many as 750 million people worldwide, watched the beautiful young Diana Spencer marry her prince.
Price Tag • Estimated at $45 million.
The Dress • Diana wore a voluminous, hand-embroidered silk taffeta gown designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel. It was adorned with lace, sequins, 10,000 pearls, featured a 25-foot train and was a bargain in the OTT wedding world at a cost of around $15,000.
LIZ TAYLOR & LARRY FORTENSKY • October 6, 1991
Although Liz Taylor’s unlikely pairing with construction worker and fellow Betty Ford Clinic resident Larry Fortensky was her eighth (and final) wedding, it was a star-studded event worthy of a Hollywood legend. In fact, none other than Michael Jackson escorted Liz down the aisle at his Neverland Ranch in California.
Price Tag • Estimated at $2 million.
The Dress • Ms. Taylor wore a fittingly glamorous yet demure pale yellow, off-the-shoulder, tiered lace Valentino creation costing around $25,000.
MARIAH CAREY & TOMMY MOTTOLA • June 5, 1993
Even before Mariah Carey achieved full diva status, her wedding to former Sony head Tommy Mottola at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City was an event fit for a pop princess, complete with 50 flower girls and a Grammy-worthy guest list.
Price Tag • Estimated at $500,000.
The Dress • Ms. Carey’s $25,000 Vera Wang gown, followed by a 27-foot train, paid homage to Princess Diana’s frothy royal confection.
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CÉLINE DION & RENÉ ANGÉLIL • December 17, 1994
Canadian songstress Céline Dion met her manager and future husband when she was only 12-years old and he was 38. (Don’t worry—they didn’t marry until she was 26!) Despite the 26-year age difference, their union at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec has stood the test of time.
Price Tag • Estimated at $500,000.
The Dress • Always willing to take a fashion risk (Remember the backwards Dior Tux she wore to the Oscars in 1999?) Céline went all-out in a silk Mirella and Steve Gentile gown embellished with hand-sewn pearls and a 20-foot train. The real showstopper was an oversize tiara that had to be sewn into her hair—studded with 2,000 Austrian crystals, it was rumored to weigh a whopping seven pounds.
Victoria & David Beckham
VICTORIA & DAVID BECKHAM • July 4, 1999
The artist formerly known as Posh Spice wed her soccer star husband at Luttrellstown Castle just outside of Dublin, Ireland. In what has become a celebrity wedding signature, the festivities ended with a spectacular fireworks display.
Price Tag • Estimated at $800,000.
The Dress • The always impeccably stylish Ms. Beckham wore a champagne colored silk, strapless Vera Wang with a 20-foot train thought to cost around $100,000. She topped her look off with a fabulous 18-carat, diamond encrusted crown created by jeweler Slim Barrett.
JENNIFER ANISTON & BRAD PITT • July 29, 2000
Little did Jennifer Aniston know that her fairytale wedding to Brad Pitt was only the beginning of her tabloid journey as the ultimate jilted wife searching for love. We’re so happy she’s finally found it with Justin Theroux! But back in 2000, her lavish Malibu, California gala with Pitt featured a 40-piece gospel choir and finished with a 13-minute fireworks display.
The Price Tag • Estimated at $1 million.
The Dress • The bride wore a $50,000 silk and satin Lawrence Steele gown with glass beading paired with the 90s glamour shoe—ivory Manolo Blahniks.
LIZA MINNELLI & DAVID GEST • March 16, 2002
There’s no question the great Liza Minnelli has a flair for drama, and her brief fourth marriage to event producer David Gest, at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, caused much head-scratching (gay rumors abounded) and resulted in one of the messiest divorces in history. The 850 guests were a who’s who of Hollywood royalty—Natalie Cole sang Unforgettable and whacky wedding enthusiast Michael Jackson served as co-best man with his brother Tito.
The Price Tag • Estimated at $3.5 million.
The Dress • The king of glitz, Bob Mackie, designed Liza’s $45,000 gown but it was the legendary prolonged kiss that kept people talking. According to Joy Behar, “He sucked her lips right out of her face!”
Christina Aguilera & Jordan Bratman
CHRISTINA AGUILERA & JORDAN BRATMAN • November 19, 2005
Christina Aguilera’s lavish, three-day extravaganza at the Staglin Family Vineyard in Napa, California, was as impressively larger-than-life as her amazing voice—guests were even treated to her beautiful rendition of Etta James’ At Last.
The Price Tag • Estimated at $2 million.
The Dress • Ms. Aguilera wore a stunning $30,000 Flamenco-style Christian Lacroix number cascading with ruffles.
KATIE HOLMES & TOM CRUISE • November 18, 2006
Tom Cruise swept Katie Holmes off her feet and across the pond for a (short-lived) fairy tale wedding at Oldescalchi Castle in Lake Bracciano, Italy featuring a performance by Andrea Bocelli.
The Price Tag • Estimated at $3.5 million.
The Dress • Katie was luminous in a $50,000 off the shoulder, custom Armani adorned with Swarovski crystals, tulle & Valenciennes lace detail.
EVA LONGORIA & TONY PARKER • July 7, 2007
Eva Longoria also went the 17th century castle route for her wedding to Tony Parker at Vaux le Vicomte just outside of Paris, France.
The Price Tag • Estimated to be $1.5 million.
The Dress • Eva was effervescent in a $75,000 silk wool with silk gazar metallic embroidery Angel Sanchez number.
