Remember the song from the 1989 movie, Kaala Bazaar, ‘Paisa Bolta Hai’? Well, these B-town celebrities seem to have taken that advice a bit too literally. Their weddings are not just extravagant affairs; they’re astronomical investments, making the song a reality in the most luxurious way possible.
Bollywood, the powerhouse of Indian cinema, is well-known for its larger-than-life stories, glitz, glamour and iconic stardom. But the industry reaches a whole new level of extravagance when it comes to grand wedding celebrations. These B-town celebrities aren’t just saying ‘I do’; they’re saying it with a price tag that could make your jaw drop. Let’s take a look at the 10 most lavish Bollywood shaadis of all time, where every detail is a testament to opulence and extravagance. Brace yourselves, it’s going to be a wild ride!
1. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan (2012)
Kareena Kapoor, aka ‘Bebo’, tied the knot with her long-term lover, Saif Ali Khan, in a close-knit ceremony on October 16, 2012. Though intimate, their wedding was nothing short of a grand affair. Rather than hosting a massive ceremony, the couple opted for a registered marriage at Saif’s former residence, Fortune Heights.
This was followed by a nikah ceremony where Kareena was seen wearing a Pataudi family heirloom — a 73-year-old gharara ensemble that originally belonged to Sajida Sultan, Saif’s grandmother and the descendent of Bhopal’s royal family. The bride’s gold jewellery alone cost around INR 4 crore. The post-wedding celebration was a Mughal-themed grand reception that hosted around 600 guests. The overall celebrations, including a sangeet, mehendi, nikah and reception, reportedly cost the royal family around INR 10 crore.
2. Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal (2022)
The lovebirds, who remained discreet about their relationship status, got hitched in a destination wedding at Six Senses Fort, Barwara. Though the exact details of expenses were not revealed, its grandeur, elaborate designer ensembles and premium guest arrangements leave no room for doubt that it was on the more expensive side.
The 120 guests on the list were kept on the most exclusive suits of the Six Senses Fort, which could fetch up to INR 5 lakhs per night. Not only that, the couple’s exquisite Sabyasachi ensembles reportedly cost a whopping INR 4.7 crore.
3. Hansika Motwani and Sohael Kathuria (2022)
Hansika Motwani has remained a popular face in Tamil and Hindi cinema since childhood. The actress had mostly remained silent on her personal life until she married her beau and long-term business partner, Sohael Kathuria in December 2022.
The couple’s wedding at the Mundota Fort and Palace in Jaipur was nothing short of extravagant. This 450-year-old Mughal fort, once ruled by Emperor Akbar and later by the Kachwaha Dynasty, is one of India’s most luxurious venues. The premium suites in this royal palace can cost up to a whopping INR 60,000 per room per night! The couple booked the entire venue for their guests for a three-day celebration.
The wedding ceremony itself took place in the majestic courtyard of the Mundota Fort, with elaborate floral decorations and a dreamy mandap setup. Hansika wore a stunning traditional red lehenga, while Sohael sported a regal sherwani. All in all, the wedding reportedly cost around INR 20 crore. Considering the opulence and grandeur of the event, it was one of the most talked-about weddings of 2022.
4. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas (2018)
The marital union between former Miss India, Priyanka Chopra and American actor, Nick Jonas was one of the most-talked-about weddings of the decade. This Hollywood-meets-Bollywood dream wedding took place over the course of five days at Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur. As one of the world’s largest private residences, the venue alone cost the couple around INR 3.2 crore.
Aside from Priyanka’s engagement ring worth INR 1.3 crore, the couple adorned some opulent jewellery and designer ensembles for the various events surrounding the main wedding. The lavish affair also included extravagant elements such as helicopter rides, elaborate decorations, and impeccable arrangements. That said, the overall wedding celebrations reportedly cost the couple approximately around INR 75.5 crore.
5. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh (2018)
The power couple of Bollywood finally tied the knot in 2018 through a series of grand affairs. ‘DeepVeer’ chose to seal their fate at the stunning Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como, Italy. Keeping aside other expenses of the event, the villa itself reportedly charges 400 euros (approx. INR 33,000) per room per day. That said, the lavish celebrations lasted for a week, with the couple having booked the entire resort for their guests in all 75 rooms. For a week-long affair, the venue reportedly charged around INR 1.73 crores.
For such a grand occasion, the couple left no stone unturned to ensure tight security throughout. The security arrangements alone cost ‘DeepVeer’ an additional INR 1 crore investment. And it does not stop there! The overall celebrations of the wedding comprised two ceremonies in Italy and two grand banquets in India. All in all, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh spent INR 77 crore for their fairytale-like grand wedding nuptials.
6. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli (2017)
The martial union of actress, Anushka Sharma with cricketer, Virat Kohli was the most-talked-about B-town wedding of 2017. Uniting two of the highest-earning celebrities in their respective fields, the ceremony easily makes its mark as one of the most expensive wedding affairs.
For the iconic ‘Virushka’ wedding, the couple left no stone unturned to make their D-day a memorable affair. Held at the heart of Italy, the event was nothing short of breathtaking. Anushka’s wedding ring itself cost a whopping INR 1 crore, featuring diamond-studded dual gold bands and a huge solitaire diamond.
Their intimate wedding venue at the Borgo Finocchieto in Tuscany is one of the most expensive resorts, costing around INR 1 crore per guest to spend a week there. The couple’s Sabyasachi ensemble throughout the ceremony, the Tuscany wedding and numerous high-profile receptions reportedly cost them INR 100 crore.
7. Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain (2021)
Ankita Lokhande got hitched with businessman, Vikas ‘Vicky’ Jain in an intimate but grand ceremony in December 2021. For their once-in-a-lifetime celebration, the couple went out of their way to make it one of the most glamorous weddings of the decade, complete with luxurious venues, designer ensembles and high-profile guests.
The much-awaited wedding took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, one of the city’s most prestigious venues with luxurious suits and an expansive ballroom. The sprawling venue hosted multiple ceremonies including pre-wedding events, the main wedding and the reception.
The couple reportedly spent a staggering INR 100 crore on the lavish affair, complete with designer ensembles, exquisite jewellery, and extravagant decor. To top it off, Vicky gifted Ankita a private property in Maldives worth around INR 50 crore while Ankita surprised him with a customised yacht valued at INR 8 crore.
8. Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal (2018)
When it comes to big-fat Indian weddings and going overboard on expenses, the Ambanis set quite the benchmark. They’re the wedding royalty of India. Every time they throw a party, it’s like a fairy tale come to life. With budgets that could rival a small country’s GDP, their weddings are real-life renditions of over-the-top Bollywood movies.
When it was the turn of Isha Ambani, the daughter of business tycoon, Mukesh Ambani, her marriage to Anand Piramal was one of the most talked-about events of 2018. The couple got engaged at a grand party in Lake Como, Italy.
The lavish pre-wedding bash was held in Udaipur showcasing the craft and heritage of Indian artisans. International celebrities and politicians attended the event which also featured artists like Beyoncé, A. R. Rahman and Arijit Singh. Rumour has it that Beyoncé received a fat check of USD 15 million for her 45-minute appearance on the stage.
The main wedding took place at Antilia, the Ambani residence in Mumbai. A post-wedding reception was held at the Jio Centre in Mumbai. International celebrities, leaders and every who’s who of India attended this grand affair.
The extravagant event cost the Ambanis around INR 830 crores, taking precedence among the most expensive Indian weddings of all time.
9. Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta (2019)
When the older Ambani son got married in 2019, it was a hot topic in India, with all awaiting another historic (and expensive) ceremony. For Akash Ambani’s wedding, the Jio founder seemed to have even bigger plans.
The couple’s pre-wedding bash was held in Switzerland, featuring the biggest international bands like Coldplay, Maroon 5 and the Chainsmokers. Reports revealed that the wedding cards were valued at INR 1.5 lakhs each.
The 500 guests who attended the event were kept at a luxurious hotel in Switzerland where the cheapest rooms started at INR 1 lakh per day. The two-day pre-wedding was followed by a wedding extravaganza in Mumbai, spanning 3 days.
One of the most extravagant weddings of the decade, Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta’s wedding costs were estimated to be around INR 700 crore to INR 1500 crore.
10. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant (2024)
When it comes to over-the-top celebrations, the Ambanis are a tough nut to crack. Every Ambani wedding is like a blockbuster movie, complete with jaw-dropping decorations, celebrity guests, and enough glitz and glamour to blind you. It’s like they are on a never-ending quest to outdo themselves and set new standards for extravagance. As soon as the news of Anant Ambani’s engagement made the headlines, everyone was buzzing to see how the family would top their past extravaganza.
Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, got hitched to his long-term girlfriend, Radhika Merchant in July of this year. One of the most iconic weddings of the decade, the ‘Shubh Vivaah’ took place after four months of pre-nuptial festivities. The grand Ambani wedding reportedly surpassed the expenses of the Royal wedding between Prince Charles and Princess Diana, which was alleged to have cost around USD 163 million.
The pre-wedding festivities, complete with a luxury cruise event featuring top global artists like Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Backstreet Boys and Katy Perry, amounted to around USD 300 million (INR 2511.3 crore).
Coming to the main event, Anant’s groomsmen received watches worth INR 2 crore each, and other close friends received designer bags and footwear. Together with the most expensive apparel and jewellery ever seen by mankind and the grandiose festivities, the Anant-Radhika wedding reportedly cost a whopping INR 5000 crore!
These are just a few examples of the lavish weddings that have taken place in Bollywood. The common thread among these events is the desire to create an once-in-a-lifetime experience for the couple and their guests.
What do you think it takes to plan a wedding that rivals these Bollywood extravaganzas?
Also Read: What Is Gujarati’s ‘Mameru’ Ceremony Held Ahead Of The Wedding? Know All About Ambani’s Ritual
