SAEDNEWS: Inside the Lavish Ambani Wedding: Numbers That Stun the Mind
According to Saed News, citing Haft-e-Sobh, the extravagant wedding organized by the Ambanis was not only one of the most expensive weddings in the world but also one of the longest, capturing the attention of media, the public, and social media users for several months. Now that the celebration has concluded and Anant Ambani and Radikaa Merchant have finally begun their life together under one roof, it is worth taking a look at the statistics and figures this event left behind.
How much did the wedding cost?
Anant Ambani is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, the famous Indian billionaire and entrepreneur. Naturally, when Asia’s richest man hosts a wedding for his beloved son, the event is bound to be spectacular. Precise figures for the wedding are not publicly confirmed, and media outlets report varying estimates.
BBC reports estimate the total wedding cost between ₹11–13 billion, equivalent to $132–156 million. Meanwhile, the UK magazine The Sun claims the event cost at least £500 million, around $650 million. For comparison, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding, watched by millions worldwide, cost £34 million, or $45 million. Based on these numbers, if BBC’s estimate is used, the Ambani wedding cost 3.7 times more, and if The Sun’s estimate is used, it was 14.4 times more expensive than the royal wedding.
Interestingly, Justin Bieber, who performed at the wedding, reportedly received £7 million, roughly $9.1 million, for his performance.
How many guests attended?
According to Vogue magazine, the wedding was attended by 14,000 guests. Assuming a total expenditure of $650 million, the average cost per guest for the Ambani family was about $46,400. By comparison, Karishma Nanwani, a renowned wedding planner in London for high-profile families and royal events, estimates the cost per guest at £2,000–£4,000, equivalent to $2,600–$5,200.
Helicopters, planes, and private jets
For the wealthy, frequent travel on private jets is a key status symbol—and a concern for environmentalists. For instance, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and one of the richest people in the world, owns three private jets. One logistical challenge for wealthy travelers is providing hangars for these aircraft. The Ambanis set a new benchmark for their wedding, arranging three private jets and 100 aircraft for their guests, according to the Financial Express.
Luxury cruises
In early March, after the three-day pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the Ambanis and some guests went on a luxury cruise in late May and June along the Mediterranean near Italy. Several Bollywood celebrities attended. The four-day cruise featured performances by Katy Perry, Pitbull, and the Backstreet Boys on one of the ships’ decks, costing an estimated £100 million, around $130 million.
Record-breaking floral arrangements
Floral decor can make a wedding unforgettable. Globally renowned planners, such as Priya Suhelani, note that artificial flowers are now an excellent option—they are more beautiful, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. However, the Ambanis, known for flaunting consumerism, opted for natural flowers. They decorated the path to the venue with 20 million fresh flowers sourced from 500 florists.
An opulent wedding feast
According to The Independent, no expense was spared on food. In the March celebration, the couple offered 2,500 dishes to 1,000 guests. At the recent wedding, this number reached 37,500 dishes, prepared by 500 chefs.
