A wedding is pretty much one of the most significant rites of passage in life. It’s beautiful, magical and special. There’s something so fairytale about two people coming together as one. The flowers, the dress, the music, the first dance, the vows and that kiss - everything about the momentous event is something to remember forever.
As wonderful as weddings are with us common folk, the whole thing is made so much more splendid when celebrities take that walk down the aisle. Celebrities are pretty much known for going above and beyond in most aspects of life, and weddings are no different.
From Kardashian nuptials to real-life princes finding their princesses, every celebrity wedding has brought forth its own trends and has become a popular topic of discussion for one reason or another. There are some weddings for which we would have given anything to have received an invitation, some that went completely overboard in all aspects possible, and well, there are some that were laughable and just fell flat.
From spontaneous hallway ceremonies to extravagant destination getaways, celebrities never cease to surprise us with their ceremonial choices. Though we always love a celebrity wedding, some have definitely become more memorable than others.
24 We Wish We Were Invited To: Miley & Liam’s Magical Moment
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s love story is one of growth and promise. The two celebrities met in 2009 on the set of Nicholas Sparks’s The Last Song and quickly became a real-life couple. Over the next nine years, the pair would break up, get back together again, break up again and finally find each other once more for good.
On December 23, 2018, Miley and Liam finally said “I do” in a private ceremony. The wedding took place in Miley’s Tennessee home surrounded by only close friends and family, and just like the bride and groom, the intimate ceremony felt very rustic and down-to-earth. Miley’s ivory silk satin dress was perfect when combined with Liam’s black tuxedo and white sneakers. Getting to see Miley come full circle and marry the man of her dreams was a magical moment for all who adore this couple.
23 Just Meh: Justin Bieber & Hailey Baldwin’s Courthouse Ceremony
Justin Bieber is anything but conventional in most things he does in life, so his courthouse wedding to gorgeous model Hailey Baldwin shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but it most definitely did.The “Love Yourself” singer is usually all about the “go big or go home” lifestyle, but in September 2018, he took a leap of faith and became legally married to Hailey.
The whole quickie wedding was Hailey’s idea. "The city hall marriage was her idea. It was 'you and me against the world,'" a source stated, as Elle reports. "Let's show [everyone] we're serious and it’s not just some crazy fling."
The couple plans to have a huge, over-the-top ceremony with friends and family in 2019, but for now all we have to reminisce on is their “meh” marriage license vows.
22 Over-The-Top: Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel Take The Cake With Their Nuptials
When you have the means to go over-the-top with your wedding ceremony, it can be hard to resist. When Justin Timberlake married Jessica Biel on October 19, 2012, it was a total real-life fairytale. In order to escape the pesky paparazzi, the couple held their wedding at the dreamy Borgo Egnazia in Italy.
Jessica wore a unique, trendsetting pink and white gown that has been described as “so Jess – timeless yet eccentric,” according to Bridal Guide. As she walked down the aisle, Justin serenaded her with a special original song written just for her and their wedding. If that isn’t enough, a huge gathering of A-list celebs attended the celebration and the whole event was rumoured to cost $6.5 million!
21 We Wish We Were Invited To: Nick Jonas’ Spectacular Wedding
On December 1, 2018, pop star and heartthrob Nick Jonas took stunning Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra as his wife in an absolutely breathtaking wedding ceremony in India. The multi-day event brought together the couple’s families for what is being referred to as “Hollywood’s version of a royal wedding,” according to Harper’s Bazaar.
According to People, Priyanka’s wedding dress was a custom-made Ralph Lauren piece that took nearly 2,000 hours to create, had over two million mother of pearl sequins and a 75-foot train! The ceremony hosted 225 guests, including countless VIPS. This momentous Jonas wedding and five-day-long celebration quickly became the event of the year!
20 Just Meh: Victoria & David Beckham's '90s Marriage Celebration
Victoria and David Beckham are a famous “it” couple, and have been since they were married on July 4, 1999. The couple held their hugely celebrated wedding in a castle, as has now become custom for loads of celebrity weddings. However, the Beckham wedding was vastly unique.
According to The Vow, the couple actually requested a Robin Hood theme for the ceremony décor with cardinal purple, dark green and burgundy as their colour scheme. The bridesmaids were dressed as woodland fairies, Victoria sported a gold crown, and for some reason, the orchestra performed The Spice Girl’s song, “Goodbye.”
As beautiful as the couple looked, the ceremony as a whole seemed to be all over the place.
19 Over-The-Top: That Wedding Between Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries
Kim Kardashian might have only been married to former basketball player Kris Humphries for 72 days, but their wedding ceremony will forever be remembered as one of the most over-the-top lavish and expensive weddings.
The ceremony ran up a bill of over $10 million, making it one of the most expensive weddings of all time, according to CBS News. The cake alone cost $20,000 and the wedding invites were embellished with hundreds of jet-black hematite crystals! The glittery ceremony was televised and became one of E! Network’s most-viewed segment ever.
18 We Wish We Were Invited To: Beyoncé & Jay Z’s 2008 Wedding
Superstars Beyoncé and Jay Z tied the knot back in 2008, but a lot of people actually had no idea. The pair held their super-private ceremony at Jay Z’s New York City penthouse, skipped the whole wedding party tradition and only invited 40 guests.
Beyoncé and Jay Z are both huge names in the music industry, and although it was a bit of a surprise that they kept their wedding super low-key, that just made it even more special.
Beyoncé’s mother designed her ivory gown and Beyoncé had 70,000 white orchids flown in from Thailand, according to Pop Sugar. This exclusive wedding is said to have been “really very spiritual.”
17 Just Meh: Mandy Moore & Taylor Goldsmith’s Boho-Themed Ceremony
This Is Us star Mandy Moore kept her November 2018 boho-themed wedding with singer Taylor Goldsmith between just 50 of their closest family and friends. According to UPI, Mandy and Taylor said “I do” in the backyard of their home to keep the day special for them.
Even if the celebration was a little underwhelming, compared to other big-name stars, it was very romantic and pure. Mandy wore an untraditional custom-made pink dress as she walked down the aisle lined with large whimsical wheat sheaves.
“We are both pretty quiet, private people,” Moore once admitted in an interview with People. “I never imagined myself with some beautiful dress in front of 300 people.”
16 Over-The-Top: Nothing Says Love More Than A Million Dollar Wedding Ceremony, Right Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes?
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes's wedding has been called one of the “most significant wedding ceremonies in Hollywood history,” according to E! News. As we all know now, Tom and Katie’s marriage didn’t last forever, but nonetheless it was a huge celebration rumoured to cost up to $3 million.
The 2006 ceremony took place in a 15-century Italian castle with a huge lineup of superstar guests and two stunning Swarovski crystal-embellished Giorgio Armani wedding gowns for the blushing bride. The night was made complete with a five-tier wedding cake, a fireworks display and Scientology’s “double ring” ceremony.
15 We Wish We Were Invited To: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West’s Amazing Wedding
After Kim Kardashian divorced Kris Humphries, she entered into a relationship with rapper Kanye West, and in May 2014 the couple officially tied the knot.
Kim and Kanye held their weekend ceremony in two different European countries with 200 of their friends and family. Despite the hefty price tag, it wasn’t all about the glitz and glam this time. The bride looked like a real-life princess in her lace, custom-made couture Givenchy gown and Kanye couldn’t have looked happier to make his dream girl his bride, at last. If the romance doesn’t make you wish you were there, the reception musical lineup with John Legend, Andrea Bocelli and Lana Del Ray definitely will.
14 Just Meh: Emily Ratajkowski & Sebastian Bear-McClard’s Quick Wedding
When a glamorous model like Emily Ratajkowski marries an indie producer, like Sebastian Bear-McClard, in a surprise city hall wedding after only dating for a few weeks, you are going to feel a little less than enthusiastic. Emily shared the news with her fans in an IG post after the very quick ceremony.
Emily and Sebastian both sported gold bands and instead of the traditional wedding gown, Emily wore a “mustard-coloured pantsuit,” according to People. She shared images of herself with her two witnesses, one of whom was social media star “Fat Jewish,” who wore a Planned Parenthood sweatsuit for the occasion.
13 Over-The-Top: Who Better To Have An OTT Wedding Than Katy Perry & Russell Brand?
Both popstar Katy Perry and British comedian Russell Brand are known for their eccentric personalities, so their October 2010 wedding ceremony was obviously going to be out there. Katy, Russell and their 80 guests celebrated the big day in India with heavy Bollywood influences.
According to Pop Sugar, the couple both wore traditional Hindu garb, even though neither is of that faith or culture. They had two elephants on hand for the special day. Katy and Russell showed appreciation for their guests with gifts of shopping sprees and safari trips. Their confusing wedding festivities were all over the place and totally OTT.
12 We Wish We Were Invited To: Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' Private Ceremony
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are definitely one of Hollywood’s dreamiest couples. They both seem so down-to-earth and genuine in all aspects of their relationship. Before Blake and Ryan shared two gorgeous baby girls, they got married in a super private ceremony in September 2012.
The romantic event was held in Charleston, South Carolina, and to this day remains very private. Blake and Ryan are still protective over any images showing them on their special day. However, Martha Stewart Weddings helped design several aspects of the ceremony and was able to share exclusive details.
Blake walked down the aisle in a beautiful “cloudlike silk tulle gown” with rose-gold embroidery and the reception had an abundant dessert table full of all of the couple’s favourite treats.
11 Just Meh: Jennifer Aniston’s Wedding To Justin Theroux
The wedding between Hollywood stars Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux was one fans never really expected to happen. Jennifer has been through the ringer when it comes to dating, and has even been called “unlucky in love,” according to Mirror.
But, after a couple of years of being engagement, Justin and Jennifer tied the knot in a very private and exclusive backyard ceremony. The couple kept plans of their wedding very under wraps - not even guests knew they were attending their wedding until they arrived to Jen’s Bel Air home! They told everyone it was a birthday party celebration.
The lack of any real décor or flowers made the whole birthday scam all the more believable. Guests were entertained with a low-key cushion seating, a “flower dinner” and a Muppets wedding cake.
10 Over-The-Top: Christina Aguilera & Jordan Bratman Held Nothing Back
In 2005, pop sensation Christina Aguilera and music producer Jordan Bratman took their vows of marriage in a super extravagant wedding. According to Vibe, the couple spent about $2 million on the ceremony and celebration held at a vineyard in Napa Valley, California.
The theme of their huge wedding appeared to be “winter,” as the reception events were held in a very large winter-themed tent adorned with white roses, crystals and lots of other basically unnecessary decorating expenses. During the ceremony, the couple chose to make use of a 14-piece orchestra and a custom-made wedding gown for the bride with Christian Louboutin heels. The party went on until about 5 a.m., too!
9 We Wish We Were Invited To: Chrissy Teigen & John Legend’s Special Wedding
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are always total couple goals, so it makes perfect sense their wedding would be done with the same expectations. Chrissy and John brought 125 of their closest friends and family to Lake Como, Italy, for the beautiful ceremony. According to The Knot News, this location had an extra special meaning for the couple, as it was where they first fell in love.
The pair were going for a “rustic-chic, elegant-but-not-too-glossy look,” according to Martha Stewart Weddings, and they got just that. The blush-coloured bridesmaid dresses and “the soft coral amaryllis, finesse roses, lydia spray roses, eucalyptus, ivy, olive branches, and two-toned magnolia leaves” made Chrissy and John’s forest fairytale wedding one to remember.
8 Just Meh: Pusha T & Virginia Williams’ Wedding
The most interesting part about rapper Pusha T’s wedding to his longtime girlfriend Virginia Williams is arguably the superstar list of guests in attendance. About 150 of the couple’s friends and family attended their special day, including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.
The pair took their vows of marriage on July 21, 2018 in their hometown of Virginia Beach at the Cavalier Hotel, according to Brides. Virginia described wanting her wedding to be “fancy, but not uptight,” so they kept neutral tones of white, nude, grey and ivory for the décor and all the accents. The fantastic greenery was just enough to push their normal wedding into something more magical.
7 Over-The-Top: George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin Had A Totally Expensive Ceremony
Mr. George Clooney was Hollywood’s most notable bachelor for so long, until he finally found his dream girl, human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2013. What better way to celebrate this long-awaited love story than to throw an over-the-top wedding?
On September 27, 2014, the couple said “I do” in a $4.6 million Italian ceremony. The pair really tried to keep their plans on the down-low, but the extravagant three-day pre-wedding festivities for the couple, and all their VIP guests, kind of put a spotlight on the big day.
Several white flowers adorned the gold-painted chairs lined up during the ceremony and Amal dazzled in her custom-made Oscar de la Renta wedding gown made of French lace.
6 We Wish We Were Invited To: Kate Upton’s Wedding To Justin Verlander
Supermodel Kate Upton’s nuptials to baseball player Justin Verlander was everything we never knew we wanted in a celebrity wedding. The stunning ceremony has been described as the couple’s very own “Secret Garden,” according to Vogue.
Kate collaborated with Valentino in creating a dream wedding gown with delicate lace and details perfect for the overall theme of the wedding.
“We wanted to keep the beauty classic and simple for the ceremony, and then went bolder for the reception,” explained Kate in an interview with Vogue. Following the ceremony, guests were led through candlelit steps to medieval castle ruins. “The romance theme continued with lots of chandeliers, candles, and flowers,” expressed Kate.
5 Just Meh: Ellen DeGeneres’ Marriage Ceremony With Portia De Rossi
The wedding between comedian and talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres and the beautiful Portia de Rossi is one that was long-anticipated. Ellen and Portia began dating in 2004 and on August 16, 2008, the pair finally got to say, “I do,” making them “perhaps the highest-profile gay marriage after California legalized the unions,” according to Biography.
The couple’s original wedding plan was to have a big celebration, because well, they definitely deserved it. However, after things became too stressful for the pair, they opted for a very low-key, quiet get-together at their home with just 19 friends and family in attendance. According to Over the Moon, the short ceremony was performed on floor pillows in the couple’s own living room.
4 Over-The-Top: Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom Shared Their Wedding With The World
Just a few weeks after meeting former basketball star Lamar Odom, Khloe Kardashian decided to take the big plunge in marrying him. The couple pulled together their over-the-top, $1 million wedding in just nine days.
Khloe sported a tiered, strapless Vera Wang gown as her stepdad, Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner walked her down the aisle with a 10-piece orchestra playing in the background. According to People, “The two were married in front of triple arches of white roses created by celebrity florist Mark’s Garden.” The Hollywood nightclub-themed wedding reception was complete with white carpeting, silver mirrors and chandeliers.
E! Network’s cameras followed the whole journey of planning and vows with Khloe and Lamar, and the couple even got their own spinoff show as a result of their wedding success.
3 We Wish We Were Invited To: Kit Harington & Rose Leslie’s Sweet Ceremony
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie played on-screen lovers, Jon Snow and Ygritte for HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, so the idea of them actually marrying was pure magic. The couple couldn’t have looked happier during their dreamy Scottish ceremony.
Kit and Rose invited about 200 guests for their June 2018 wedding held at the 12th-century Wardhill Castle that happens to be owned by Rose’s father, according to Vanity Fair. Rose looked glamorous in her stunning white lace dress and Kit looked quite dapper in his sleek tuxedo. Several of their Game of Thrones cast-mates showed up for the big day, making it all the more special for fans of the series.
2 Just Meh: Serena Williams’ Wedding With Alexis Ohanian
On November 16, 2017, tennis superstar Serena Williams married her Reddit co-founder boyfriend, Alexis Ohanian, in a beautiful ceremony held at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans. The couple was surrounded by tons of family and friends, including Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé, according to OkayPlayer.
Selena wore a striking white gown with a netted cape, while Alexis wore a regal blazer. Even though there were several gorgeous, bright flower arches over the couple as they gave their vows, the exterior of the ceremony felt cold and empty. The stone walls of the art center left much to be desired with this celebrity wedding.
1 Over-The-Top: Nicole Richie & Joel Madden Went OTT With An Elephant For Their Wedding
When reality star Nicole Richie tied the knot with singer Joel Madden in December 2010, it was a wedding to remember. Nicole chose to wear a total of three wedding gowns for her big day, one of which had a skirt with more than 100 yards of silk organza and tulle petals, and the couple even hired an elephant to attend their extravagant wedding!
More than 150 VIP guests showed up for the Beverly Hills ceremony held at Lionel Richie’s estate, according to Pop Sugar. The wedding was officiated by famed reverend, Rev. Run, and Nicole’s dad, Lionel, serenaded the couple. The party lasted all through the night with a reception that was both bohemian and gothic in theme.
References: Insider, BuzzFeed, Allure, Martha Stewart Weddings, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Bridal Guide, Harper’s Bazaar, The Vow, People, CBS News, PopSugar, UPI, E!Online, Mirror, InStyle, Vanity Fair, OkayPlayer
