Most Expensive Indian Weddings Ever: In India, weddings have never been modest affairs. They are emotional, theatrical, deeply symbolic — and increasingly, global showcases of wealth, influence and soft power. But over the past two decades, a new category has emerged: weddings so extravagant that they blur the line between private celebration and international spectacle.
From palaces in Rajasthan and villas in Tuscany to cruise liners sailing across Europe, these celebrations have rewritten the rulebook on luxury. Guest lists resemble Davos summits, performances rival global music festivals, and décor budgets alone could fund independent films. Yet beneath the diamonds, drone shows and designer couture lies something distinctly Indian — the belief that a wedding is not merely an event, but a legacy moment.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most expensive weddings ever associated with India — celebrations that turned matrimony into headline-making history.
Anant Ambani And Radhika Merchant: The Rs 1,260 Crore Wedding That Became A Global Phenomenon
When the Ambani family hosts a celebration, scale becomes secondary to imagination. The wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in 2024 elevated the idea of a “big fat Indian wedding” into something closer to a global cultural summit.
Months before the Mumbai ceremony, Jamnagar in Gujarat transformed into a luxury destination for a three-day pre-wedding celebration curated by Nita Mukesh Ambani alongside designer Manish Malhotra. A spectacular drone show highlighted Vantara, Anant Ambani’s animal conservation initiative, subtly merging philanthropy with celebration.
International guests included tech leaders Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, alongside Ivanka Trump, Bollywood stars and sporting icons. Rihanna’s headline performance became one of the most talked-about musical appearances at a private Indian event.
As if that were not enough, another pre-wedding celebration unfolded aboard a luxury cruise sailing between Palermo and Portofino. Reports estimate the combined festivities at around Rs 1,260 crore, making it arguably the most expensive wedding celebration ever linked to India.
Before Anant’s celebrations dominated headlines, Isha Ambani’s 2018 wedding to Anand Piramal had already redefined opulence. The celebrations began with an engagement at Lake Como, one of Europe’s most exclusive destinations. Pre-wedding festivities moved to Udaipur, where the now-famous “Swadesh Bazaar” showcased Indian craftsmanship, featuring artisans from across the country demonstrating traditional arts live for guests.
Performances by Beyoncé, Arijit Singh and A.R. Rahman ensured the festivities felt equal parts royal gathering and international concert. The main ceremony took place at Antilia, the Ambani residence in Mumbai, transformed into a floral wonderland.
Estimated cost: over Rs 700 crore.
Sanjay Hinduja And Anu Mahtani: A Seven-Day Udaipur Extravaganza Worth Over Rs 1,000 Crore
Few weddings have matched the sheer scale of the 2015 celebrations of Sanjay Hinduja and designer Anu Mahtani. Hosted across Udaipur’s most luxurious venues, including Jagmandir Island Palace and The Oberoi Udaivilas, the week-long affair welcomed over 16,000 guests from across the globe. Performances by international artists — including Jennifer Lopez — added to the grandeur.
The wedding reportedly crossed Rs 1,000 crore in expenses, placing it among the most lavish celebrations ever staged in India.
Netra Mantena And Vamsi Gadiraju: Udaipur’s Star-Studded Modern Fairytale
In November 2025, Udaipur once again became the backdrop for luxury when Netra Mantena, daughter of US-based pharma billionaire Ram Mantena, married tech entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju.
The festivities stretched across four days, beginning with a glamorous sangeet at City Palace featuring performances by Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon and Janhvi Kapoor. The wedding ceremony unfolded at the historic Jagmandir Island Palace, where global pop icon Jennifer Lopez performed.
Estimated cost: approximately Rs 80 crore — comparatively modest by billionaire standards but dazzling nonetheless.
Royal Europe Meets Indian Grandeur: The Mittal Weddings
The Mittal family has hosted multiple weddings that remain benchmarks of luxury.
Shrishti Mittal’s 2013 wedding in France unfolded across iconic venues including Versailles and Vaux-le-Vicomte. Helicopters documented the celebrations, while chefs flown in from Kolkata curated elaborate dining experiences. The three-day affair reportedly cost around Rs 500 crore.
Earlier, Vanisha Mittal’s Paris wedding in 2004 set global records, featuring performances by Kylie Minogue and Bollywood stars, along with a theatrical production scripted by lyricist Javed Akhtar. Invitations arrived in silver boxes — a detail still discussed in luxury event circles.
Sonam Vaswani And Navin Fabiani: Vienna Turned Into A Bollywood Dream
In 2017, Vienna briefly resembled a cinematic set during the wedding of Sonam Vaswani and businessman Navin Fabiani. Events were hosted across Palais Ferstel, Palais Liechtenstein and the magnificent Belvedere Palace. Crystal chandeliers, curated floral installations and carefully designed décor elevated the celebrations, which reportedly cost nearly Rs 210 crore.
Celebrity Weddings That Captured Global Attention
Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli — Tuscany’s Most Famous Indian Wedding
Held at Borgo Finocchieto, a restored 13th-century Italian village, the 2017 wedding of Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli balanced intimacy with luxury. The ceremony followed traditional rituals before grand receptions in Delhi and Mumbai.
Estimated cost: around Rs 100 crore.
Trivia: The venue has previously hosted world leaders, including former US President Barack Obama.
Ranveer Singh And Deepika Padukone — Romance At Lake Como
In November 2018, the Bollywood power couple reserved an entire luxury resort at Lake Como for dual Konkani and Sindhi ceremonies. Private yet lavish, the wedding was followed by star-studded receptions in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Estimated cost: Rs 77 crore — understated compared to billionaire weddings but widely admired for elegance.
Weddings That Made Headlines For Scale
Brahmani Janardhana Reddy And Rajeev Reddy
The 2016 Bengaluru celebration recreated the ruins of Hampi across palace grounds, welcoming nearly 50,000 guests over five days. With an estimated Rs 500 crore budget, the wedding became one of India’s most widely discussed events.
Akash Ambani And Shloka Mehta
Pre-wedding festivities in St. Moritz featured performances by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay’s Chris Martin before a grand Mumbai celebration. Though exact figures remain undisclosed, the scale reflected the Ambani family’s signature grandeur.
Love At Sea: Adel Sajan And Sana Khan’s Cruise Wedding
In 2017, businessman Adel Sajan and Sana Khan hosted a wedding aboard the Costa Fascinosa cruise liner. Sailing from Barcelona through France and Italy, the celebration welcomed 1,500 guests and featured themed dinners, performances and luxury experiences.
Estimated cost: over Rs 100 crore — proving weddings need not stay on land to be unforgettable.
A Royal Comparison: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle
Indian weddings are often compared with global royal ceremonies, and the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stands as a notable parallel. Combining British tradition with multicultural modernity, the Windsor Castle ceremony reportedly cost around Rs 310 crore and drew worldwide viewership.
Disclaimer: Costs and details mentioned above are based on publicly available media reports and industry estimates.
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