From classic rock to bumpin' new pop songs, here's a curated list of crowd-pleasers.
Updated Mar 06, 2025They Cost What?! The Most Expensive Wedding Dresses Ever Made, Ranked by Price
Including multiple million-dollar gowns.
According to our data, the average cost of a wedding dress right now is about $2,000. Of course, that number represents a national average. Some to-be-weds spend significantly less, while others spend, well, significantly more. Enter, the world's most expensive wedding dresses. Every so often, a celebrity or public figure gets married in a gown with a staggering price tag that we can barely wrap our minds around
For some lucky budget-less couples, money is no object when it comes to their wedding attire. Royals, actors, singers and influencers have dropped serious cash on incredible dresses that continue to live rent-free in our minds today. Sadly, not every couple has unlimited funds to spend on their wedding ensemble. (That is why we've created a free budget tool, after all, which can help you navigate the costs associated with planning a wedding). That said, there's no denying that getting a peek at the most expensive wedding dresses is incredibly satisfying. Here, look back on the priciest gowns ever made—and who knows, maybe they'll inspire a (less expensive) look for your own nuptials.
The most expensive wedding dresses of all time:
- Angelababy's Wedding Dress | ~$31 million
- Queen Letizia's Wedding Dress | $8 million
- Serena Williams' Wedding Dress | $3.5 million
- Priyanka Chopra's Wedding Dress | $2 million
- Victoria Swarovski's Wedding Dress | $1 million
- Kim Kardashian's Wedding Dress | $500,000
- Salma Hayek's Wedding Dress | $434,000
- Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress | $434,000
- Meghan Markle's Wedding Dresses | $422,000
- Chiara Ferragni's Wedding Dress | $420,000
- Amal Clooney's Wedding Dress | $380,000
- Sofia Richie's Wedding Dress | $380,000
- Princess Eugenie's Wedding Dress | $260,000
- Marie-Chantal Miller's Wedding Dress | $225,000
- Princess Diana's Wedding Dress | $115,000
Angelababy's Wedding Dress: ~$31 million
Photo: Xinhua | Getty Images
Chinese actress Angelababy had one of the most expensive weddings of all time when she tied the knot with fellow actor Huang Xiaoming. The pair exchanged vows in Shanghai, China, on October 8, 2015, in a ceremony that included a massive carousel cake, a holographic display of a castle, and goodie bags filled with iPhones.
Altogether, the wedding was estimated to cost about $31 million—and while we don't know the exact cost of her wedding dress, it easily tops the designs on this list. The bride wore a custom Christian Dior ball gown, which was covered in 100 roses made from delicate Chantilly lace. The skirt featured seven layers of fabric made from 170 feet of tulle, which cascaded into a 10-foot train. She accessorized the look with her dazzling five-carat pear-cut engagement ring, which was estimated to cost $1.5 million. All in all, we estimate this very well may have been the most expensive wedding dress ever created.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Queen Letizia's Wedding Dress: $8 million
Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/POOL/AFP | Getty Images
Who wore the most expensive royal wedding dress ever? It wasn't Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, or even Princess Diana. That lofty title belongs to Queen Letizia of Spain, who wed King Felipe VI on May 2, 2004. A journalist at the time, the bride wore an incredible custom gown designed by Manuel Pertegaz. The long-sleeve dress featured a high-standing collar, a deep V-neckline, and a whopping 15-foot-long train.
So, why did this dress cost $8 million? That would be the *real* threads of gold that were woven into fabric. Depictions of the Prince of Asturias crest, fleur de lys and ears of wheat adorned the skirt and cascaded around the edge of the train. Just as opulent was the diamond-studded Prussian tiara that sat atop her head, which was generously gifted by her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia.
Serena Williams' Wedding Dress: $3.5 million
We love when a sports icon doubles as a fashion trendsetter. Serena Williams may be known for showing off cute and colorful matching sets on the tennis court, but she also once wore one of the most expensive wedding dresses ever created. The athlete turned to Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen for her unforgettable wedding ball gown, which featured a sweetheart neckline and a modern, glittering cape. Altogether, the showstopping look was estimated to cost $3.5 million
Considering Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in a Beauty and the Beast-themed ceremony in New Orleans, her attire needed to match the fairytale setting. She accessorized her priceless look with diamonds from XIV Karats and a classic bouquet of white roses. Before the night was over, she swapped the dress for two other Versace looks during the reception.
Priyanka Chopra's Wedding Dress: $2 million
We'll never forget the first time we saw photos of Priyanka Chopra's 75-foot veil blowing gracefully in the wind as she walked down the aisle toward Nick Jonas. The A-list power couple hosted multiple cultural wedding events throughout 2018, and while she wore plenty of incredible custom designs, it's her traditional Ralph Lauren gown that earned a nod as one of the most expensive wedding dresses ever created.
The long-sleeve A-line dress was covered in Swarovski crystals in detailed patterns over hand-stitched lace. The beading was arranged to spell out several meaningful phrases, such as the couple's wedding date and the names of the bride's parents. Paired with Jimmy Choo heels and that unforgettable headpiece, the entire look was estimated to cost $2 million.
Victoria Swarovski's Wedding Dress: $1 million
Perhaps it's not surprising that the heiress of the Swarovski dynasty wore one of the world's most expensive wedding dresses. Victoria Swarovski, daughter of Alexandra and Paul Swarovski, wed German entrepreneur Werner Mürz in Italy on May 20, 2017. The extravagant wedding took place at the Cathedral of San Giusto in Trieste, so the bride needed a dress to match the opulent setting.
Naturally, her family connections delivered. The bride stunned in a custom long-sleeve illusion neckline ball gown designed by Michael Cinco that was, for lack of a better word, covered in Swarovski crystals. (500,000, to be exact!) The million-dollar dress weighed about 100 pounds and featured a 26-foot lace veil. Although the couple eventually divorced in 2022, the dress will live on in infamy forever.
Kim Kardashian's Wedding Dress: $500,000
The Kardashians always pull out all the stops for their lavish family events, and Kim's wedding to Kanye West was no exception. Now separated, the former couple swapped vows on May 24, 2014, in Florence, Italy. The weekend began with private jets shuttling the couple's guests to an event at the Palace of Versailles in France, thus setting the scene for their jaw-dropping weekend.
On the wedding day itself, Kardashian wore a memorable Givenchy gown, which is now one of the most expensive wedding dresses ever. With long sleeves, cutouts at the waist, and a trumpet skirt, the custom couture lace ensemble looked like a natural extension of the floral-covered setting.
Salma Hayek's Wedding Dress: $434,000
Not many photos have been shared from Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault's private nuptials back in 2009, but we *do* know she wore one of the world's most expensive wedding dresses. For the Italian occasion, the actress donned a Balenciaga gown created by Nicolas Ghesquière. Thanks to the intricately beaded V-neck bodice, the dress was estimated to cost about $434,000.
On their 15th anniversary in 2024, Hayek gave a rare glimpse inside their wedding day, writing on Instagram, "There are no words to explain the blessing of finding your soulmate. For all of you who found it, never take it for granted. For all of you who haven't, never give up."
Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress: $434,000
Photo: Samir Hussein / Contributor | Getty Images
With a price tag of $434,000, Kate Middleton's wedding dress is not only one of the most iconic in pop culture, it's also one of the costliest. The future Queen of England wed Prince William at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, wearing a dress that continues to be replicated by brides around the world to this day. She tapped Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen to create the timeless design, which boasted long lace sleeves, a plunging V-neck, and a full lace-line skirt that cascaded into an eight-foot train. Loosely reminiscent of Grace Kelly's wedding dress, this royal creation is widely regarded as one of the most influential dresses in modern history.
Meghan Markle's Wedding Dresses: $422,000
Photo: Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool | Getty Images
You know how the saying goes: two wedding dresses are better than one! Such was the case for Meghan Markle, who married Prince Harry on May 28, 2018 at Windsor Castle. The actress wore two timeless looks for her highly-anticipated nuptials—and together, they're some of the most expensive wedding dresses ever. The first was a classic three-quarter sleeve silk crepe dress with a demure bateau neckline, which was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. That look was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself. The design required 3,900 hours of work for the veil, eight fittings, and five months of collaboration between Markle and the design team.
As for the after-party, the Duchess changed into a sultry high-neck column dress by Stella McCartney. She accessorized it with a blue aquamarine ring from her late mother-in-law Princess Diana's collection, thus giving us one of the most iconic wedding looks ever. "I am so proud and honored to have been chosen by the Duchess of Sussex to make her evening gown and represent British design," McCartney told WWD after the wedding. "It has truly been one of the most humbling moments of my career and I am so proud of all the team on this stunning sunny royal day."
Chiara Ferragni's Wedding Dress: $420,000
Custom Dior doesn't come with a low price tag, as evidenced by Chiara Ferragni's wedding dress. The Italian lifestyle blogger and influencer wed rapper Federico Leonardo Lucia in Sicily on September 1, 2018, in a lavish, multi-day celebration. The wedding itself took place at Dimora delle Balze, a historic castle in Noto. To match the whimsical setting, there was no question as to who Ferragni would turn to for her dress. "Dior has always been one of my favorite brands, and I love what Maria Grazia Chiuri does," she told Vogue at the time. "So my dream was to get married in one of her creations."
A dream, indeed. The bride walked down the aisle in a stunning ball gown with lace sleeves, a regal mock neckline, and an airy tulle skirt. (Fun fact: The skirt was actually a romper!) After the ceremony, she changed into another custom Dior look with a bustier bodice and an ethereal tulle skirt, which was covered in lyrics from the song her husband wrote when he proposed. The second look required 600,000 hours of work and 400 meters of fabric. All in all, the dresses are estimated to have cost about $420,000.
Amal Clooney's Wedding Dress: $380,000
Photo: Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle | Getty Images
Human rights lawyer and all-around style icon Amal Clooney *unsurprisingly* wowed the world with her outfit when she married actor George Clooney. The pair exchanged vows in Venice, Italy, on September 27, 2014—and the glamorous event elicited throngs of fans and paparazzi, all of whom wanted to catch a glimpse of the high-profile couple.
Considering their wedding reportedly cost about $4.6 million, the sky was the limit when it came to the attire. The bride donned a custom Oscar de la Renta gown, which had an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline and ornate beading embroidered within the intricate lace fabric. Interestingly enough, this would go on to be the very last wedding dress the designer created before his death later that year.
Sofia Richie's Wedding Dress: $380,000
Sofia Richie broke the internet and catapulted quiet luxury into the zeitgeist when she married Elliot Grainge on April 22, 2023. The couple swapped vows at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, in an elegant wedding that took the world by storm. The bride wore three custom Chanel looks throughout the wedding weekend, but it was her ceremony style that wowed onlookers everywhere. In collaboration with the brand's designer Virginie Viard, Richie dreamed up a timeless high neck lace gown with unique scalloped edges. It's believed that the dress was worth about $380,000.
Princess Eugenie's Wedding Dress: $260,000
Photo: Pool/Max Mumby | Getty Images
Typically, royal wedding dresses inspire chatter about the style, the designer, or the tiara it's paired with—but Princess Eugenie's generated buzz for a totally different reason. On October 12, 2018, the cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry wed Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle. While she wore one of the most expensive wedding dresses of all time, we loved it because of its personal significance. In partnership with Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos of the British-based label Peter Pilotto, the bride donned a regal long-sleeve gown with a plunging open back, specifically designed to show off her scoliosis scar. Coming in at $260,000, this stunning design had a chic folded effect on the neckline, as well as a corseted bodice and a full pleated skirt with lace appliques.
Marie-Chantal Miller's Wedding Dress: $225,000
Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library | Getty Images
Back in 1995, British heiress Marie-Chantal Miller joined the Greek royal family when she married Crown Prince Pavlos, the son of the former King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. It took four months for the bride's custom couture Valentino wedding dress to come to life, which was worth an estimated $225,000. The ivory silk and lace creation had an elegant mock neckline, long lace sleeves, and a dramatic 14-foot train cascading out from the classic A-line skirt. She accessorized her bridal ensemble with the diamond and pearl Antique Corsage Tiara, which was her "something borrowed," courtesy of her mother-in-law.
Princess Diana's Wedding Dress: $115,000
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor | Getty Images
You didn't think we'd forget Princess Diana, did you? Rounding out our list of the most expensive wedding dresses of all time is the infamous ball gown worn by Lady Di on July 29, 1981. For months leading up to the wedding date, the media scrutinized her every move, trying to get a hint of what the dress would look like. In an effort to keep the dress a true surprise, the designers, husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel, went so far as to leave fake scraps in the garbage outside their studio to mislead the press.
Alas, no one anticipated what she stepped out in. The royal bride wore an iconic taffeta creation covered in ruffles and bows. The fitted bodice was made with panels of antique Carrickmacross lace from Prince Charles' great-grandmother, Queen Mary. We'd also be remiss not to mention the 25-foot train, which barely fit in the horse-drawn carriage. At the time, the dress was believed to cost about $115,000—a rather low cost for one of the most iconic wedding dresses, well, ever.
