1. Prince Charles and Lady Diana
The bill was $48 million in 1981, or $110 million when adjusted for inflation.
The bride was a stunning blonde pre-school teacher, who immediately became a global icon.
The groom was the oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II.
The wedding at St Paul's Cathedral was attended by dozens of royals; two million spectators; and a global TV audience of 750 million. Diana wore a puff ball meringue wedding dress with a 25-foot train of ivory taffeta and antique lace. The 27 wedding cakes and five-foot-tall main cake supposedly took 14 weeks to prepare, with a duplicate cake made in case of accidents.
2. Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia
The bill was $60 million in 2005, or $66 million when adjusted for inflation.
The bride was the beautiful daughter of billionaire steel-magnate Lakshmi Mittal.
The groom was a London-born i-banker, owner of Swordfish Investments.
The wedding featured invitations mailed in silver boxes, including plane tickets and rooms at a five-star Paris hotel. Five-day festivities at a 16th-century chateau and Versailles and a temporary wooden castle. Performances by Kylie Minogue, complementary Mouton Rothschild, and designer gift bags filled with jewels.
3. Prince William and Kate Middleton
The bill will be an estimated $34 million, most of it going to security.
The bride is a 29-year-old commoner who has become a worldwide celebrity.
The groom is the oldest son of Prince Charles and the second in line to the throne of England.
The wedding will feature $800,000 in flowers, a $80,000 wedding cake, countless royals and nobles and a global TV audience in the hundreds of millions.
4. Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin
The bill was $8 million in 2008.
The bride was a working-class British girl who started dating Rooney at age 16, reportedly going to see Austin Powers 2 on their first date.
The groom was perhaps the highest paid footballer ever.
The wedding featured a chartered flight for 65 Brits to fly to Genoa for a masked ball on a $120-million yacht. Guests divided several days between the expensive yacht and a five-star hotel. The wedding took place at a 17th century villa and reception at a medieval abbey high above Portofino.
5. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky
The bill was around $5 million in 2010.
The bride was the daughter of President Bill Clinton.
The groom was an investment banker (Goldman Sachs and then G3) and childhood friend.
The wedding costs included $600,000 air-conditioned tents, a $11,000 cake, Vera Wang wedding gown, and the attendance of Oprah. The rest went to deluxe pampering and security costs for 500 guests.