Authored by: ET Now Digital
Updated May 3, 2025 01:10 IST
What Do You Get at an Ambani Wedding? Apparently, LV Bags, Cruises & Crores Worth of Bling
Let’s be honest—when it comes to Indian weddings, the Ambanis don’t just raise the bar, they hurl it into the stratosphere. If a typical big-fat-Indian-wedding is a Bollywood musical on steroids, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant ’s pre-wedding celebrations were a multi-season Netflix show backed by a billionaire budget. With one celebration rooted in the earthy grandeur of Jamnagar and the second one floating (literally) on the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean, these events were less about wedding rituals and more about redefining global luxury.
From Rihanna belting out bangers in Gujarat to Katy Perry rocking a cruise ship in Europe, no expense was spared. But beyond the dazzle of performances and the starry guest list, what really left jaws on the floor were the gifts. Not your average box of laddoos—think custom LV bags, gold chains, and luxury watches that cost more than most people’s homes. Let’s take a cheeky dive into 10 of the most ludicrously lavish gifts and services the Ambani family bestowed upon their lucky guests.
1. Charter Flights for the Jet-Setters
Private jets? Plural. The Ambanis didn’t just send a fancy email invite—they sent out an entire fleet of 10 charter flights to ferry their guests to Barcelona for the cruise party. On top of that, 12 additional private aircraft were arranged for family, friends, and yes, even the event staff. Each flight came with a jaw-dropping price tag that would make frequent flyers blush.
Fun Fact: At this point, Air India should just hand over a “Platinum Monarch” frequent flier card to the Ambani family.
2. A Parade of Posh Cars
Once you’ve flown in like royalty, it only makes sense to hit the road like one. Awaiting guests in Spain was a veritable red carpet of 150 chauffeur-driven luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and BMWs. Forget cab apps—this was automotive indulgence on turbo mode.
3. A Floating Palace: The Cruise Bash
For their second pre-wedding event, the Ambanis rented out the Celebrity Ascent—a luxury cruise liner that became a three-day floating party palace for 800 A-listers. The ship sailed across the Mediterranean, from Italy to France, with stops as glam as the guest list.
Suite rooms cost upwards of Rs 4.7 lakh per night.
Guests were serenaded by Katy Perry, Pitbull, and maybe even the Backstreet Boys.
Fun Fact: With 4380 kilometres covered, this bash had more mileage than most honeymoons.
4. Silver Filigree Jewellery from Telangana
Not everything was about bling from abroad. Guests received exquisite silver filigree jewellery handcrafted by artisans from Karimnagar, Telangana. A stunning nod to Indian heritage, and a boost for local artisans, this was thoughtful opulence at its best.
5. Louis Vuitton for Everyone
At the Jamnagar gala, guests walked away with customised Louis Vuitton bags. That’s right—LV monograms weren’t just seen on the arms of celebs, but probably on aunties, uncles, and that one cousin who still uses an iPhone 6.
Fun Fact: A custom LV bag starts at around Rs 2-3 lakh. Multiply that by a few hundred guests. Gulp.
6. Bombay Artisan Co.’s Animal-Loving Duffle Bags
Along with the Louis love, guests were gifted handcrafted duffle bags by Bombay Artisan Co. These stylish, cruelty-free leather creations featured hand-painted animal motifs in honour of Vantara, Anant Ambani’s animal welfare project.
7. Gold Chains (Yes, Really)
Not metaphorical ones—actual gold chains. Because nothing says “thanks for coming” like precious metal draped around your neck. The guest list wasn’t just glittering, the guests themselves literally were.
8. Fashion-Forward Footwear and Luxe Loungewear
The Ambanis made sure their guests stayed stylish even in their dreams. Alongside footwear designed by leading names, designer nightwear was handed out too. Sleepovers have never looked this chic.
9. Candles with a Heart from Sunrise Candle
In a beautiful mix of luxury and inclusivity, the Ambanis sourced scented candles from Sunrise Candle, a Mahabaleshwar-based company employing visually impaired artists. These fragrant delights weren’t just gifts—they were stories wrapped in wax.
10. Bandhani and Pethani Scarves
Each guest was also gifted handwoven Bandhani and Pethani scarves, crafted by women artisans from Kachchh and Lalpur. In a wedding bursting with international flair, these scarves added a swish of rooted, Indian soul.
Bonus: Customised Watches Worth Rs 1.5 Crore Each
Just when you thought the gift meter had maxed out, Anant Ambani turned the dial to ‘Ridiculous’. Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, and others received custom-made Audemars Piguet watches—each valued at a casual Rs 1.5 crore.
These weren’t your average tick-tocks:
41mm 18K pink gold case
Grande Tapisserie patterned dial
Sapphire crystal back
And more sparkle than a Diwali ad
Fun Fact: These watches are so rare, you can’t even “Add to Cart.” You need to be on an Ambani guest list or a billionaire’s radar.
From jet charters to designer candles, the pre-wedding bashes of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant weren’t just extravagant—they were logistical marvels of wealth, style, and sentiment. While the estimated spend on the Jamnagar event alone was Rs 1,200 crore, the Mediterranean cruise and the final Mumbai wedding took that figure even higher.
What’s clear is this: Ambani weddings aren’t about trends—they create them. And if your cousin’s wedding is giving out dry fruit boxes this year, maybe just don’t compare.
End of article