When it comes to choosing deluxe destinations for your nuptials, the global wedding-scape is awash with diverse options. But there is something to be said about the most expensive and luxurious wedding venues that marry unconventional luxury experiences with picture-perfect backdrops. Behold, 7 places that do just that — and more.
The priciest wedding venues are those that go above and beyond to make your special day the most unforgettable one. Magnificent lake views? Check. Historic spaces brought alive by tasteful modern touches? Check. Sprawling island resorts? Check. World-famous hospitality? Double check. If you are trawling through the web for some of the most luxurious wedding venues, look no further than these. Simply browse through our comprehensive list to find your perfect match.
There’s no dearth of evidence to prove that weddings have become a billion-dollar affair. The global wedding market, for instance, is estimated to cross USD 600 billion by 2032 — and understandably so. Every consumer, luxury or otherwise, puts enormous amounts of energy into adding a grand touch to their big day. However, it is the cash-rich club that goes the extra (read: super extra) mile.
Take a cue from the Ambanis of India, who gave the proverbial ‘big fat Indian wedding’ a new meaning by spending over INR 1,200 crores (USD 143.8 million) on a palatial three-day pre-wedding celebration for the upcoming nuptials of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The festivities included a star-studded guest list, musical performances by artists like Rihanna, and elephantine emeralds that outshone the crystal chandeliers hovering overhead. You’d think that would be the end of the Ambani’s pre-wedding jollities, but a four-day Mediterranean cruise that hosted a sea of A-listers proved otherwise. As per several reports, the price tag of the multi-day cruise falls in the ballpark of USD 900 million. One can only imagine what the actual wedding would be like.
It is this over-the-top gusto that entices the best hotels to pull out all the stops, making every element of a couple’s big day a whirlwind of opulence, tradition, and wanderlust. In light of that, we take a look at some of the most expensive and luxurious wedding venues of the world.
Estimated cost: USD 2 million
What has eight Michelin stars and can accommodate your most extravagant demands? Potentially the most expensive wedding destination in the world. Dripped in opulence, the main draw of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is its sweeping view of the historic Victoria Harbor. But that’s not all this city-based luxury venue offers. From sumptuous dining experiences, elite hospitality, and a free hand to customise your wedding aided by a dedicated team of award-winning chefs, this hotel is your best bet if you love the glitz and glamour of urban life. What’s more, brides can also book an exclusive appointment with celebrity-loved couturier Suzie Turner, should they wish to wear a dress that rivals those shown at Cannes and the Oscars.
Address: 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, China
Contact: +(852) 3196 8333
Estimated cost: USD 598,917
Udaipur’s superlative hotels have hosted the most special events of Bollywood celebrities and business moguls alike. But it is really the Oberoi Udaivilas that takes the cake for being one of the most expensive wedding venues in the world. Spread out over 1.3 million square feet, the estate is dotted with interconnecting domes that add a slice of vintage glamour to the modern-day palace. While the lush lawns allow you to host a lavish ceremony overlooking the famed Lake Pichola, superior services like spa therapies and fine dining additionally ensure that the wedding doubles as a tranquil vacation for all your guests. An intimate reception or a Bollywood-style grand celebration? You decide!
Address: Mulla Talai, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Contact: +(91) 11 69110606
Estimated cost: USD 430,000
The merest mention of Italy is enough to conjure up an image of the Amalfi coast. Boasting palatial properties perched atop foothills that overlook the blue expanse of crystalline waters, this is where the bounties of culture, nature, and luxury intersect. The Amalfi coast is also where one of the most expensive wedding venues awaits couples who prioritise best-in-class experiences. Case in point: The Belmond Hotel Caruso.
Out on the verdant lawns, you can host an immersive tight-knit gathering; however, if a glamorous affair is what you are after, the palace-turned-hotel recommends the panoramic area by the infinity pool. You can also book the entire 11th century estate for a more bespoke, private ceremony. Poolside bars, wellness centres, and boat excursions to Pompeii and Capri all come together to make this 50-room luxury space an appropriate choice, whether it’s a wedding venue or an arresting honeymoon destination you’re after.
Address: Piazza S. Giovanni del Toro, 2, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Contact: +(39) 089 858801
Estimated cost: USD 260,000
There’s a good reason why this private archipelago of 11 islands and 40 private beaches commands its extravagant price. Founded by renowned magician David Copperfield, Musha Cay spans across 700 acres and can only be rented as a whole — so as to ensure paramount privacy for you and your guests. Apart from providing a surreal backdrop for your ‘I do’ moment, Musha Cay puts its best ‘food’ forward with unique dining experiences, including a picnic lunch on a sandbar that emerges from the ocean only at low tide. Ringed by gin-clear water, the luxury wedding venue also caters to those with an adventurous spirit. Here, Copperfield goes, not one, but two steps further to spill magic into your stay. The magician also curates bespoke scavenger hunts, cave explorations, and sea and land activities that piece together priceless memories for all in attendance.
Address: Musha Cay Island, Exuma, Bahamas
Contact: Info@mushacay.com
Estimated cost: USD 150,000
Another wedding venue that brings the best in nature and luxury, the Laucala Island Resort goes one step further with its bevy of picturesque private locations perfect for your nuptials. The South Pacific island is not a hotel per se, but rather a clutch of 25 secluded homes where guests can directly land their private charters. Regardless of where you stay, sweeping views of clear skies, turquoise lagoons, and powder-puff beaches never leave your line of sight. Also of interest is the resort’s farm-to-table concept which makes for a dining experience that is as delectable as it is healthy. Easily one of the most luxurious wedding venues in the world, Laucala Island Resort in Fiji was once favoured by model Miranda Kerr and Snapchat magnate Evan Spiegel for their honeymoon sojourns.
Address: Laucala Island, Fiji — 55 minutes from Nadi International Airport.
Contact: +(679) 888 0077
Estimated cost: USD 150,000
You don’t just tie the knot at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte; you also journey through the royal splendour of 17th century France. Built by Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Finance Minister, the château boasts beautifully manicured lawns that lend couples ample freedom to curate a wedding aesthetic that is truly their own. So extraordinary was this château at the time of its inception that it inspired the then-king Louis XIV to commence the construction of the Palace of Versailles. Grand stairways, sky-high ceilings, and massive windows that draw in the outside bedazzle all who set their sight on this historical wonder. One of the most luxurious wedding venues in the world, the estate offers a fairytale wedding in every sense of the word.
Address: 77950 Maincy, France
Contact: V.lafourcade@vaux-le-vicomte.com
Estimated cost: USD 806,752
Anyone who has read up on The Great War has heard about the Palace of Versailles. The Château’s famed Hall of Mirrors, which is home to 357 mirrors and 43 chandeliers, is where the leaders of the world gathered to sign the treaty that ended World War I in 1919. Now, the storied palace plays host to opulent nuptials and lavish cocktail hour events. Apart from its tastefully rich interiors modelled by generations of ancient architects, decorators, and sculptors, you can also augment your big day with firework displays, water fountains, and music. If you are looking to exchange vows in a regal setting, we suggest you say ‘yes’ to this royal residence that once housed France’s kings and queens.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
Contact: Evenements@chateauversailles.fr
(Main image: Oberoi Udaivilas; Featured image: Château de Versailles/Instagram)
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After elaborate pre-wedding celebrations, the wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant will take place in Mumbai and will span from July 12 to July 14.
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As someone who likes to keep her finger on the pulse of the latest fashion, beauty, and travel trends, Bushra loves writing stories where several pockets of lifestyle intersect—just as much as she loves ..Read More
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