Glitz, Glam, and Gowns: How Celebrity Weddings Measure Up to Royalty
When it comes to extravagant weddings, royal nuptials have long been the gold standard. From Princess Diana’s iconic wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s star-studded affair in 2018, royal weddings are synonymous with grandeur, history, and tradition. However, in recent years, celebrity weddings have given royal affairs a run for their money.
With multimillion-dollar budgets, designer dresses, and guest lists packed with A-listers, do celebrity weddings now rival the opulence of royal ones?
Who has a bigger wedding budget: celebrities or royals?
Royal weddings are often funded by the monarchy, with a significant portion of money allocated to security, venues, and public festivities. For instance, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011 reportedly cost around $34 million reported Good Housekeeping. Around $32 million was dedicated solely to security.
On the other hand, celebrity weddings are privately funded, often by the stars themselves. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s 2014 wedding in Florence, Italy, is estimated to have cost $2.8 million, per The Knot. It featured a private performance by Andrea Bocelli and a week-long Parisian pre-wedding celebration.
Despite the hefty price tags, it’s not just about the money. Celebrity weddings are also about the spectacle.
Celebrities often push the envelope with over-the-top celebrations. Royal weddings, though extravagant, tend to adhere to long-standing traditions.
The question remains: does a celebrity’s ability to splurge on unique venues and exclusive entertainment make their wedding more impressive than a royal one? Or are they trying too hard to achieve a level of grandeur only the royals do best?
Dresses, guest lists, and drama
One of the biggest highlights of any wedding is the bridal gown. It is the focal point of the ceremony and one of the most replicated elements thereafter.
Grace Kelly’s lace-covered, high-necked wedding dress from 1956 remains an inspiration for royal brides to this day. Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen gown paid homage to classic royal fashion and created a trendsetting wedding moment.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle’s Givenchy gown embraced a new trend toward modern simplicity while maintaining a regal aura. Princess Diana’s over-the-top David and Elizabeth Emmanuel’s creation spawned a frenzy for royal fashion after she and Prince Charles wed in 1981 and set a standard for bridal looks through the 1980s.
Celebrity brides, however, often favor bold, fashion-forward designs. From Priyanka Chopra’s 75-foot veil in 2018 to Victoria Beckham’s diamond-studded tiara, Hollywood weddings are often more about personal style and dramatic statements rather than tradition.
Another major factor that sets celebrity weddings apart is the guest list. While royal weddings are attended by heads of state, aristocrats, and dignitaries, celebrity nuptials often boast an impressive lineup of Hollywood elites, musicians, and influencers.
George and Amal Clooney’s Venice wedding in 2014 saw the likes of Matt Damon and Anna Wintour. However, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s intimate ceremony was reportedly attended by only close friends.
But what truly makes celebrity weddings stand out is the drama. From highly publicized breakups to last-minute cancellations, Hollywood nuptials often come with a level of unpredictability that royal weddings lack.
Elizabeth Taylor married eight times, each with its whirlwind of media attention. Britney Spears’ infamous 55-hour marriage in Las Vegas was a spectacle, while Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s rekindled romance and second wedding in 2022 had fans captivated.
Do celebrity weddings outshine royalty?
While royal weddings carry historical significance and an air of tradition, celebrity weddings thrive on creativity, luxury, and the unexpected. Celebrities may not have centuries-old castles at their disposal, but they more than makeup for it with lavish ceremonies, designer fashion, and headline-worthy drama.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III’s fairy-tale courtship began in 1955 when the Hollywood star met the Monaco royal during a photoshoot at his palace while attending the Cannes Film Festival. Their chemistry was instant, and they began exchanging letters, deepening their connection.
Rainier soon visited Grace’s family in Philadelphia, where he proposed after just three days. Their whirlwind romance captivated the world, culminating in a lavish wedding in 1956 that transformed the Oscar-winning actress into Princess of Monaco, marking one of history’s most iconic unions between Hollywood and royalty.
On the other hand, Elizabeth Taylor fueled the unexpected created drama with a constant flurry of husbands. Taylor was married eight times to seven different men, (twice to Richard Burton) and her marriages spanned a total of 34 years combined. Taylor’s weddings became as much of her lore as her stellar acting career.
Ultimately, both royal and celebrity weddings have a unique appeal. They will forever hold a fascination for outsiders for their opulence, romance, and over-the-top glamour.
