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Updated Sep 09, 2024Inside the Wedding of Billionaire Tech CEO Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond
The couple looks back on their nuptials with The Knot, telling us their favorite memories from the lavish destination celebration.
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
Of all the celebrity weddings we saw in 2024, few were quite as incredible as that of Ankur Jain and his wife, Erika Hammond. The billionaire founder and CEO of Bilt Rewards married Hammond, a former WWE star and fitness entrepreneur, on April 26, 2024, at the base of the pyramids in Egypt. The lavish affair was attended by 130 guests, including pop culture icons, international politicians, and fellow investors. The itinerary featured four themed events, including brunch on the Nile River and a ceremony in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza—proving why this is one famous vow swap we won't forget any time soon.
"Our wedding wasn't just about celebrating our love—it was also about honoring our friends and family who have supported us throughout our lives and relationship," Hammond tells The Knot in an interview. "We wanted to make sure that the experience was just as special for them as it was for us."
Here, we look back on Ankur and Erica's wedding, breaking down their favorite memories from the destination fête. Plus, they reveal exactly how they prioritized their budget for the spectacular event, which they described as their own personal Met Gala.
In this article:
Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond's Wedding Photos & Details
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
What does the wedding of a billionaire couple look like? It's exactly as grand as you'd imagine. Ankur Jain and his wife Erika Hammond got married in the spring of 2024, turning the site of the Egyptian pyramids into their own personal playground for the weekend. (It was a far cry from the groom's original vision, as he suggested tying the knot in space.) Looking back, though, they say, "We wouldn't change a thing!" Relive the most incredible details from Ankur and Erika's wedding below, from the jaw-dropping venue to the unbelievable fashion.
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Their Setting Was Inspired by The Real-Life Indiana Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
Although Jain and Hammond are New Yorkers at heart, they were inspired by one of their favorite historical sites in the world when it came time to select a venue. "Our love and fascination with ancient Egypt's history and culture played a huge role in inspiring our wedding location," Hammond tells us. "Ankur had an unforgettable trip to Cairo as a child, where he met Dr. Zahi Hawass, the renowned Egyptologist known as the real-life Indiana Jones."
Jain and Hawass remained friends over the years, and when the fiancés traveled to Cairo after their engagement, Hawass offered to marry them in front of the prolific Sphinx structure. "The invitation felt so special and unique," Hammond recalls. "We immediately said yes!"
The Couple Prioritized Experiential Details
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
At the start of their planning journey, Jain and Hammond intentionally discussed their wedding priorities so they knew where they wanted to splurge. In an interview with People, Jain said they allocated the majority of their wedding budget toward experiences, rather than decor or physical items. "We're not traditional wedding people. Why do you have to spend $20,000 on flowers?" he told the outlet.
Talk to any wedding planner and they'll encourage you to do the same—because once your priorities are established, you can allocate your budget accordingly. (Then, you can use The Knot's free budget tool to better understand wedding prices as you navigate the most important decisions.)
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"For us, it was all about the experience," Hammond says. "While some people love flowers and place settings, we've always been more about adventure, fun and creating memories. So, when we started planning, setting our priorities was pretty straightforward. We focused on what would make the experience unforgettable for everyone, rather than the small details."
Each Event Had a Different Theme
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
In keeping with their dream to give guests a once-in-a-lifetime getaway, Jain and Hammond partnered with their planning team, Vertex Events, to curate four vastly different parties. "I really loved that each day of our wedding trip had its own unique energy, and our wedding planners did an incredible job working with us to bring our vision to life," Hammond says.
The welcome party, inspired by modern-day Egypt, featured a "souk experience" that allowed the couple's loved ones to buy and negotiate with local vendors. "It was such a fun way to immerse everyone into the culture from the very start," she explains. The following day, the group enjoyed a private tour of the pyramids followed by dinner at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
"The wedding day itself was this incredible blend of past and present, with the ceremony set in front of the Sphinx," Hammond notes. During the after-party, On The Move Entertainment provided live music as lights illuminated the pyramids—one of many priceless memories from the entire weekend. "I believe people remember how they felt and the adventure they were part of, not necessarily what the centerpieces looked like," Hammond says. "So, we were more willing to splurge on things that created those lasting memories."
The Weekend Featured Plenty of Personal Touches
Even though they didn't swap vows in their hometown, Ankur and Erica's wedding paid homage to their favorite things, places and flavors. "We made sure to weave personal touches into every part of the celebration—like having photos of our dog painted at the souk and a wedding menu inspired entirely by our favorite New York food," Hammond recalls. "These little details made the experience feel truly 'us.'"
Inside Ankur Jain and Wife Erika Hammond's Love Story
Photo: Courtesy of Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond,
Photo: Bottega53
Ankur and Erica's wedding was just one milestone in their spectacular love story. The 34-year-old investor, who also founded the firm Kairos and the technology company Humin, met his wife at the gym. Hammond, a former WWE Diva, is a founding trainer of Rumble Boxing, a high-intensity group fitness glass. It was there that this high-profile romance began. After meeting at Rumble, Jain and Hammond shared their first date over truffle fries and martinis.
The couple got engaged on November 15, 2022. Jain popped the question at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, an immersive rooftop experience in midtown Manhattan. The couple was joined by a large group of family and friends for the special occasion, as well as their dog. "You continue to make me the happiest woman in the world," Hammond wrote in the engagement announcement on Instagram, which featured photos of a rose petal-covered ground and a custom neon sign. "I cannot wait to marry you and continue making unforgettable memories together. I LOVE YOU FOREVER… my fiancé 😜."
