5 most expensive Indian weddings of all time

When it comes to weddings, India is known for hosting some of the grandest celebrations. Among them, billionaires take it to a whole new level, not hesitating to spend millions on private Beyoncé concerts and jewellery worth crores. The wedding industry has evolved into a significant economic sector; families are increasingly willing to invest substantial sums into creating memorable events, contributing to the growth of this thriving industry. The trend reflects not only cultural values but also the aspiration for lavish and unforgettable wedding experiences.

Isha Ambani and Anand Parimal

Isha Ambani—the only daughter of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, married Anand Piramal—the son of businessman Ajay Piramal, on December 12, 2018. The grand wedding cost around ₹700 crores. The invitation cards were presented in a Dolce & Gabbana box—valued at ₹3 lakhs each and featured a floral theme representing the qualities of their grandparents. The events unfolded at luxurious venues, including the Ambani residence, Antilia, in Mumbai, Lake Como in Italy and the pre-wedding festivities in Udaipur at the lavish Udaivilas hotel. The wedding, planned by Isha’s mother Nita Ambani, was attended by Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, as well as former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. From Isha's ₹90 crore lehenga to Beyoncé's private concert, it was truly a unique and unforgettable celebration.

Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy
In 2004, the billionaire brothers of the Sahara Group had a double wedding in Lucknow, with a budget of around ₹550 crore, making it the second most expensive wedding in India at that time. The celebration hosted over 11,000 guests and featured four days of festivities. Private jets were arranged to fly in guests from around the world, showcasing the grandeur of the event. The Sahara Group chief also extended kindness by arranging the weddings of 101 underprivileged girls and feeding around 15,000 poor people. The celebration included performances by Shiamak Dawar’s troupe and the British Symphony Orchestra. Outfits for both couples were designed by renowned designers Rohit Bal and Sabyasachi. The guest list included renowned Bollywood celebrities and sports personalities, with the menu featuring over 100 new dishes, making it a historic event.

Brahmani Reddy and Rajiv Reddy

In 2016, a wedding stirred controversy during a cash crisis in the country, marking it as the most expensive one of the year. Held at Bangalore Palace, the five-day celebration reimagined the grandeur of the Vijaynagar empire—spread around 36 acres of land which hosted 50,000 guests. The bride, Brahmini, wore a ₹40 lakh saree woven with gold and adorned herself with jewellery, including a diamond-studded necklace worth ₹25 crore and antique jewellery valued at ₹150 crore. One distinctive feature was the wedding invite, which included LCD screens playing music videos of family members inviting guests—an unprecedented touch in Indian weddings at that time.

Shristi Mittal and Gulraj Behl

The niece of one of the world’s wealthiest individuals—Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Shristi Mittal got married to London-based HSBC investment banker Gulraj Behl in an extravagant ceremony in Barcelona. The estimated cost for the three-day celebration was £50 million. With 500 guests, the Barcelona wedding featured a menu by Spanish celebrity chef Sergi Arola and a 60kg, six-tiered wedding cake. Approximately 200 butlers and cooks were flown in from India and Thailand for the occasion. To ensure privacy, the main ceremony took place at the National Museum of Catalan Art, barring public access. Pre-wedding festivities included a performance by popstar Kylie Minogue, accompanied by fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.

Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia
Vanisha Mittal, daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, tied the knot with businessman Amit Bhatia in a lavish 2004 ceremony at The Palace of Versailles in France. Her father spared no expense, spending $55 million (over ₹240 crore at the time) on the event, making it one of the world's most expensive weddings of that time. The celebration spanned six days and featured performances by Kylie Minogue and many Bollywood stars. The wedding—with Farah Khan choreographing and Javed Akhtar contributing a play—even made it to the Guinness World Records.

Credits- @parimalishaambani/ instagram 

Shristi Mittal image- Lakshmi Mittal's brother spends Rs 505 crore on daughter's wedding - India Today