A detailed look at the 10 most expensive wedding dresses ever made and their jaw-dropping prices
Some of the most expensive wedding dresses ever made include Angelababy's $31 million, Queen Letizia's $8 million, and Serena Williams' $3.5 million. These dresses are true masterpieces, standing out for their luxurious details and craftsmanship.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Top 10 most expensive wedding dresses ever made in the world
- How much did Kim Kardashian pay for her wedding dress?
- What is the most expensive wedding dress of all time?
- How much did Princess Diana's wedding dress cost?
- Why was Queen Letizia's wedding dress so expensive?
- Who are the most expensive wedding dress designers?
- Which are the most expensive wedding dress brands?
- Which are the top 7 most expensive weddings in the world?
Key takeaways
- Angelababy's wedding dress was the most expensive, costing over $31 million, with a custom Dior gown, a carousel-shaped cake, and high-end guest gifts like iPhones.
- Custom designs by luxury fashion houses dominate the list, including Dior, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Michael Cinco.
- These gowns feature high-end materials like gold, diamonds, silver, and Antwerp crystals, adding a touch of glamour and elegance.
Top 10 most expensive wedding dresses ever made in the world
The most expensive wedding dresses ever made are known for their luxurious embellishments and exceptional craftsmanship. Here is a look at some of the world's most stunning and costly wedding dresses. To compile this list, we analysed various sources, including Brides, The Knot, and WWD.
| Bride | Price |
| Angelababy | $31 million |
| Queen Letizia | $8 million |
| Serena Williams | $3.5 million |
| Priyanka Chopra | $2 million |
| Queen Elizabeth II | $1.6 million |
| Victoria Swarovski | $1 million |
| Kim Kardashian | $500,000 |
| Salma Hayek | $434,000 |
| Kate Middleton | $434,000 |
| Meghan Markle | $422,000 |
10. Meghan Markle - $422,000
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Meghan Markle's 2018 wedding to Prince Harry was among the most recent iconic royal events. She wore a custom Givenchy gown by Clare Waight Keller for the ceremony, featuring a sleek, minimalist design and an elegant boat neckline.
Later, she changed into a halter-neck Stella McCartney sheath dress for the reception. The Givenchy gown was estimated at $265,000, and the Stella McCartney dress was $157,000, bringing the total to approximately $422,000, making it among the top 20 most expensive wedding dresses ever.
9. Ka e Middleton - $434,000
Source: UGC
Kate Middleton's wedding gown remains one of the most iconic royal looks. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the dress was made with handmade lace, a full skirt, and an eight-foot train.
The elegant design came with a price tag of $434,000, securing its place among the top 10 most expensive wedding dresses ever made.
8. Salma Hayek - $434,000
Source: UGC
Salma Hayek wore one of the world's most expensive wedding dresses for her 2009 wedding to billionaire François-Henri Pinault in Italy. Nicolas Ghesquière designed it for Balenciaga.
The gown featured an intricately beaded V-neck bodice estimated to cost around $434,000. Although the event was kept private, Hayek shared a rare glimpse of their wedding on their 15th anniversary in 2024.
7. Kim Kardashian - $500,000
Source: UGC
Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kanye West in 2014 was a lavish affair. They began with a pre-wedding celebration at the Palace of Versailles and ended with a grand ceremony in Florence, Italy.
Kim wore a custom Givenchy gown designed by Riccardo Tisci for the wedding day. Her long-sleeve lace dress featured waist cutouts and a trumpet silhouette, blending seamlessly with the floral-filled venue.
6 Victoria Swarovski - $1 million
Source: UGC
Victoria Swarovski's custom Michael Cinco wedding gown is estimated to have cost over $1 million. Embellished with 500,000 crystals, the dress weighed around 100 pounds. It was paired with a 26-foot-long veil, perfectly fitting for the Swarovski jewellery heiress.
5 Queen Elizabeth II - $1.6 million
Source: UGC
For her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947, Queen Elizabeth II wore an elegant Duchesse satin gown with long sleeves, intricate floral embroidery, and delicate crystal and pearl appliqués.
The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who drew inspiration from Botticelli's famous painting Primavera, symbolising rebirth and hope after World War II At the time, the gown cost $42,000—a considerable sum, translating to an estimated $1.6 million today.
4 Priyanka Chopra - $2 million
Source: UGC
Priyanka Chopra's traditional Ralph Lauren wedding gown ranks among the most expensive wedding dresses ever made.
The long-sleeve A-line dress was worth around $2 million. It featured hand-stitched lace and was adorned with Swarovski crystals arranged in meaningful patterns, including her parents' wedding date and names. Priyanka completed the look with Jimmy Choo heels and a dramatic 75-foot veil as she married Nick Jonas.
3 Serena Williams - $3.5 million
Source: UGC
Tennis superstar Serena Williams made headlines with her extravagant wedding gown in 2017. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the dress featured a stunning sweetheart neckline and a dramatic cascading cape.
It is valued at an astounding $3.5 million and is considered the most expensive wedding dress ever made in the USA Remarkably, this wasn't Serena's only outfit of the night—she changed into two other designer looks during the celebration.
2 Queen Letizia - $8 million
Source: UGC
Queen Letizia of Spain holds the record for wearing the most expensive royal wedding dress ever. When she married King Felipe VI in 2004, she wore a breathtaking custom gown by renowned Spanish designer Manuel Pertegaz.
At the time, Letizia was a journalist, and this incredibly detailed dress marked her transition into royalty. The gown featured long sleeves, a high-standing collar, a deep V-neckline, and an impressive 15-foot train. Using actual gold thread woven into the fabric made it so costly, reportedly around $8 million.
The skirt and train were richly adorned with symbolic motifs, including the Prince of Asturias crest, fleur-de-lys, and ears of wheat. To complete the look, she wore a diamond-studded Prussian tiara, a regal heirloom gifted by her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia.
1 Angelababy - $31 million
Source: UGC
Chinese actress Angelababy had one of the most extravagant and expensive weddings ever. She married fellow actor Huang Xiaoming in 2015, in Shanghai, China.
Angelababy was stunned in a custom Dior wedding gown that took nearly five months to make. It had over 100 feet of ivory satin organza and 165 feet of tulle embroidered with hundreds of hand-sewn flowers. It costs around $31 million and is regarded as the most expensive wedding in the world.
How much did Kim Kardashian pay for her wedding dress?
Kim Kardashian's gown was estimated to cost around $500,00. She wore a custom Givenchy wedding gown by Riccardo Tisci for her 2014 wedding to Kanye West.
What is the most expensive wedding dress of all time?
The most expensive wedding dress of all time is Angelababy's wedding gown, estimated at around $31 million. The gown stood out for its detailed design and extravagant price tag.
How much did Princess Diana's wedding dress cost?
Princess Diana's iconic wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was estimated to cost around £9,000 at the time of her 1981 wedding, roughly $36,000 today.
Why was Queen Letizia's wedding dress so expensive?
Queen Letizia's wedding dress was expensive due to its exceptional craftsmanship and luxurious materials. It was estimated to cost around $8 million. Manuel Pertegaz designed the dress.
Who are the most expensive wedding dress designers?
Some of the most expensive wedding dress designers include Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, and Galia Lahav, who are known for their luxurious fabrics, intricate beading, and celebrity clientele.
Which are the most expensive wedding dress brands?
The most expensive wedding dress brands include Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Galia Lahav, Ralph & Russo, and Christian Dior. These brands offer luxurious gowns priced from $10,000 to over $100,000.
Which are the top 7 most expensive weddings in the world?
According to Brides, the most expensive weddings in the world include:
| Couple | Estimated price |
| Prince Charles and Princess Diana | $140 million |
| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | $54.9 million |
| Prince William and Kate Middleton | $48 million |
| King Felipe and Queen Letizia | $42.50 million |
| Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries | $14.19 million |
| Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto | $13.82 million |
| Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez | $10 million |
The most expensive wedding dresses ever are unique and outstanding. If you like a design and would love something similar, talk to your tailor to develop something similar. These are dresses to behold.
Tuko.co ke recently shared a list of must-try kitenge designs for short dresses. These timeless styles remain fashionable and can be paired with modern trends for a fresh, unique look. You don't need loud or flashy prints—subtle kitenge fabrics can still make a bold fashion statement.
The right accessories, such as shoes, handbags, and jewellery, are essential to complete the outfit. Whether you're dressing for a wedding, a casual outing, or a formal event, there's always a stylish kitenge short dress to match the occasion and showcase your personality.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Tuko.co.ke, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile at Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
John Ouma (Lifestyle writer) John Ouma is a journalist with six years of experience. He has published sharply argued think pieces that live at the intersection of power, politics, and society. He was awarded the FirstGen scholarship by Biola University and a merit-based scholarship by AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in January 2021. He has worked for The Standard and Nation Africa as an opinion columnist between 2018 and 2022. He is currently working on his first novel—a literary fiction that traces the life of a contemporary Kenyan artist. Email: gervasjohn97@gmail.com
