Weddings are meant to be unforgettable - but some couples take that idea to a whole new level. We’re talking private islands, royal palaces, haute couture menus, and views that look like they were pulled from a dream. These aren’t just ceremonies. They’re once-in-a-lifetime experiences that come with jaw-dropping price tags.
If you’ve ever wondered what the world’s wealthiest spend on saying “I do,” or if you’re dreaming big for your own luxury destination wedding, this is where opulence meets romance.
Let’s explore the most expensive places to get married on the planet - where no detail is too small, no flower too rare, and no setting too extravagant.
1. Villa Balbiano, Lake Como, Italy
Nestled on the western shore of Lake Como, Villa Balbiano is everything you imagine when you think Italian luxury. Century-old gardens, a private dock, hand-painted ceilings, and an endless view of the water. The villa has hosted fashion campaigns, film scenes (yes, it appeared in House of Gucci), and some of the most lavish weddings in Europe.
A full-property wedding buyout with catering, design, luxury transport, and top-tier vendors? You’re looking at upwards of $1–2 million, depending on how custom you want to go.
And for couples who want romance with a European pedigree, there’s simply no better place.
2. The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado
For couples who want their wedding wrapped in snow-dusted mountains and five-star luxury, The Little Nell delivers. It’s Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel - and it sits at the base of a private ski mountain you can literally rent out for your vows.
Think candlelit gondola rides, exclusive chefs, custom ice bars, and champagne served slope-side.
Exclusive wedding weekends here can cost $500,000 and up, especially during peak season. But for mountain lovers with high standards, it’s pure perfection.
3. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, French Riviera
A favorite of Hollywood royalty and actual royalty, this legendary French Riviera estate has hosted some of the most discreetly extravagant weddings in Europe. Tucked into a pine forest with endless Mediterranean views, it’s all about old-world elegance and whisper-level exclusivity.
Wedding weekends here often involve chartered yachts, Michelin-starred menus, and entire hotel buyouts. That easily brings the total to $1 million+, and that’s before floral installations or designer fashion even enter the picture.
It’s not flashy. It’s flawless.
4. The Plaza Hotel, New York City
Few wedding venues are more iconic than The Plaza. Located at the edge of Central Park, this landmark hotel has hosted New York’s elite for over a century.
The Grand Ballroom, with its gold-leaf ceilings and soaring windows, feels like something out of a Gilded Age fantasy. Add in top-tier event planning, custom menus, and a guest list that might include socialites or celebrities? The price tag can easily top $500,000 to $1 million, depending on scale.
It's the ultimate setting for a luxury wedding in the city that never sleeps.
5. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
If your dream wedding involves turquoise water, overwater villas, and absolute seclusion, Reethi Rah delivers. This private island resort in the Maldives is one of the most exclusive in the world - and it turns wedding fantasies into five-star reality.
Guests are flown in via seaplane. Ceremonies take place on powdery white sand. And receptions include private chefs, custom cocktails, and candlelight under the stars.
A full destination wedding here - with accommodations, dining, décor, and activities - can easily reach $750,000 to $1.5 million. But it’s hard to put a price on paradise.
6. Laucala Island, Fiji
Owned by Red Bull billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, Laucala Island is one of the most private, ultra-luxe wedding destinations on earth. The entire island can be booked for your wedding. Let that sink in.
This means 25 villas, a private airstrip, horseback riding on the beach, custom spa treatments, and a completely bespoke wedding experience for your closest guests.
The cost? Starting around $1 million for a wedding weekend and climbing quickly based on your guest list and preferences.
For couples who want privacy without compromise, this is the dream.
7. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India
If you want a wedding that feels straight out of a royal fairy tale, Umaid Bhawan Palace is exactly that. It’s one of the largest private residences in the world and still home to the Jodhpur royal family. The rest? A five-star Taj hotel steeped in Indian luxury and opulence.
Indian weddings are known for their scale and celebration. A multi-day affair here - with elephants, fireworks, designer wardrobes, and world-class cuisine - often costs $1.5 to $3 million or more.
And every moment feels like history being made.
8. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
One of the most extravagant venues on earth, Atlantis The Royal opened in 2023 with fireworks, Beyoncé, and a promise to outdo every other luxury destination in Dubai.
Weddings here are limited, exclusive, and over-the-top in the best way. Think aerial shows, fire dancers, bespoke menu tastings with Michelin-starred chefs, and accommodations that redefine luxury.
A full-scale wedding here can easily cross $2 million, especially if you’re aiming to impress on a royal level.
9. Cliveden House, Berkshire, England
If Downton Abbey is your vibe, Cliveden House brings aristocratic charm with a modern twist. This historic English manor has hosted royals, presidents, and generations of the wealthy elite.
A wedding here feels like you stepped back in time - sweeping lawns, marble halls, candlelit dinners, and champagne towers. And you can book the entire estate for the weekend, making it exclusively yours.
A bespoke event here starts around $500,000 and grows with the details.
10. Private Castles in Scotland or Ireland
Nothing says dramatic romance like a windswept castle perched on a cliff. Scotland and Ireland are home to dozens of private estates and castles available for weddings - each offering history, scenery, and a kind of wild magic that’s hard to replicate.
Top-tier venues like Ashford Castle or Skibo Castle can cost $750,000+, especially when booked for multi-day events with luxury accommodations, helicopter arrivals, and high-end entertainment.
And the photos? Unreal.
Love, Elevated
These destinations aren’t just expensive. They’re transformative. Each one turns a wedding into something unforgettable - not because of the price tag, but because of how fully they immerse you in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Whether you’re dreaming big or just browsing for inspiration, there’s something awe-inspiring about seeing how far people will go to celebrate love.
Because at the heart of every luxury wedding isn’t just a venue - it’s a story.
And for some, that story calls for a palace, a private island, or a castle in the clouds.
