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In India, extravagant weddings are more than just celebrations; they are grand spectacles that reflect opulence and prestige. Over the years, several weddings have set records for their sheer scale and expense, showcasing the country’s flair for luxury. From Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s monumental ₹5,000 crore wedding to Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal's lavish ₹700 crore affair, these events have redefined the concept of grandeur. This article explores some of the most expensive weddings in India, highlighting the lavishness and cultural significance of these extraordinary celebrations.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant- ₹5,000 crore
Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani's wedding, starting on July 12, 2024, in Mumbai, is set to be an extraordinary event, marking a major cultural moment in India. The celebrations include the traditional Shubh Vivah, Shubh Aashirwad, and Mangal Utsav, with a guest list featuring global celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Adele. Mukesh Ambani has spared no expense, with pre-wedding events costing around ₹5,000 crore, including performances by Rihanna and Justin Bieber. The wedding features luxurious gifts, private jets, and lavish parties, setting new standards in opulence and cementing the Ambani family's reputation for extravagant celebrations.
Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal - ₹700 Crores
Mukesh Ambani organized an extravagant wedding for his daughter Isha Ambani, costing approximately ₹700 crores (around $100 million). The opulent celebrations spanned across Udaipur, Lake Como in Italy, and Mumbai. Among the high-profile guests were many prominent Indian celebrities and international superstar Beyoncé, who reportedly received $15 million for a 45-minute performance with multiple costume changes. The invitations were extravagantly designed, arriving in Dolce & Gabbana boxes decorated with pink and gold lace and featuring detachable chains that could be turned into jewelry. Isha and Anand welcomed twins, Aadiya and Krishna, in November 2022.
Roy Brothers’ Double Wedding - ₹554 Crores
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In 2004, Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy, sons of the Sahara Group’s founder Subrata Roy, had a combined wedding that cost nearly ₹554 crores (about $75 million). The week-long event took place at a stadium in Lucknow, with over 11,000 guests arriving by private jets. The high-profile guest list included numerous Bollywood and sports celebrities. Sushanto married Richa Ahuja on February 10, while Seemanto wed Chandini Toor on February 14. Additionally, Roy hosted a parallel ceremony for 110 women who could not afford their own weddings.
Brahmani Reddy and Rajiv Reddy - ₹500 Crores
Brahmani Reddy, the sole daughter of mining tycoon and former politician Gali Janardhana Reddy, married Rajiv Reddy, son of Hyderabad businessman Vikram Dev Reddy, in 2016. This lavish affair cost around ₹500 crores (about $74 million) and unfolded over five days at Bangalore Palace. The event accommodated 50,000 guests, including various celebrities and politicians. Despite the cash-flow crisis affecting the nation at the time, the wedding was notable for its grandeur, featuring recreations of ancient Indian temples and bull-drawn carts for guest transportation.The bride's wedding saree, valued at ₹170 million, was highly talked about, while the invitations, which cost ₹5 crores, were gold-plated and included an LCD screen with a video of the couple and the politician performing to an Indian song.
Shristi Mittal and Gulraj Behl - ₹500 Crores
In 2013, Shristi Mittal, daughter of steel magnate Promod Mittal, married investment banker Gulraj Behl in a spectacular three-day event held in Barcelona, Spain. The main ceremony took place at the National Museum of Catalan Art on a hilltop. Helicopters were hired to document the festivities, which were attended by 500 guests. The event featured a menu designed by Michelin-star chef Sergi Arola and a grand six-tier cake. More than 200 butlers and cooks were flown in from India and Thailand to cater to the guests. To maintain privacy, attendees were required to sign confidentiality agreements.
Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia - ₹240 Crores
Vanisha Mittal, daughter of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, married London banker Amit Bhatia in a lavish wedding in 2004 that set a benchmark for expensive weddings. With a cost of ₹240 crores (approximately $55 million), the six-day event was held in Paris. Notable features included performances by Kylie Minogue and Bollywood celebrities Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The festivities began with an engagement party at the Palace of Versailles and culminated in the main wedding event at the 17th-century Vaux-le-Vicomte palace. The venue was adorned with fiberglass elephants, minarets, and a pink reception hall. Craftsmanship from Mumbai was employed to create a mandap on a pond in the estate’s gardens. Additionally, florists were flown in from the Netherlands, and the evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display from the Eiffel Tower.
Also read: Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant: A Tale of Lavishness and Love
