If you are a bride-to-be, you are probably thinking about splurging on the most expensive dresses for your wedding and trousseau. But the most expensive wedding gown in the world can cost several millions. Take the case of the diamond wedding gown that’s priced at $12 million. Only the obscenely wealthy bride can afford something like that. But you can always check out the most expensive dresses for brides and take inspiration for your own wedding look. We bring out 15 of the most expensive wedding dresses that the world has ever seen.
1. The Diamond Wedding GownPrice: $12 million
Ranking first among the most expensive wedding dresses in the world is this diamond encrusted wedding gown. Laced with 150 carats of diamonds, this $12 million wedding gown is among the most expensive dresses in the world. Slip into this gorgeous dress and you are sure to feel like a princess. However, the diamond wedding gown was not created for a bride-to-be. It was painstakingly put together for a 2006 Bridal Show held in The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey near Rodeo Drive. Bridal couture designer Renee Strauss teamed up with Martin Katz Jewelers to create this magnificent wedding gown. In our books, this is one of the best wedding dresses ever made.
2. Yumi Katsura White Gold Diamond DressPrice: $8.5 million
Japanese designer Yumi Katsura is an institution. She has been one of the leading lights of the international bridal fashion industry. Often referred to as the “Missionary of Bridal”, this Japan-based bridal designer has dressed over 650,000 brides. But few could have afforded the designer’s most expensive creation – a white gold wedding dress with a diamond centerpiece and pearl detailing. Using the ingredients of jewelry, Katsura fashioned one of the most expensive wedding gowns ever. Over 1,000 pearls and a 5-carat white gold diamond adorn this expensive wedding dress pushing its price to a handsome $8.5 million.
3. Peacock Wedding DressPrice: $1.5 million
White is the color of the traditional wedding dress. But some brides like to stand out. So instead of putting together yet another conventional bridal gown, the designers of the peacock wedding dress took a whole other route. They decided to make a bridal splash by stitching together 2,009 peacock feathers to create one of the most expensive wedding gowns in the world. Animal activists will gasp at the sight of this extravagant gown, but there is no getting away from its almost royal appeal. Painstakingly hand-crafted by eight artisans over two months, the $1.5 million peacock wedding dress was the star of a wedding expo held in Nanjing, China.
4. Danasha Luxury GownPrice: $1.5 million
While many brides seek wedding dresses with a flurry of frills, a large tulle and a never-ending train, elaborate wedding gowns are no longer the rule. These days, bridal designers also cater to the modern woman who loves clean, minimalist designs. The princess of today can splurge on most expensive dresses that are elegant and uncomplicated. The Danasha luxury gown pictured above is the perfect example. Danasha Luxury collaborated with fashion designer Jad Ghandour to create this beautiful fuss-free wedding gown for the modern woman. But look beyond the simple silhouette and oversized belt. This taffeta gown bears 250 grams of 18-karat gold and 75 carats of high-quality diamonds hand-picked from Antwerp, Belgium. No wonder it comes with a $1.5 million price tag.
5. Kate Middleton’s Wedding DressPrice: £250,000 (about $388,088)
Kate Middleton pulled off the impossible in the run-up to her fairytale wedding. The to-be-princess managed to keep her wedding dress a secret right up until the big day. How she managed it in the face of constant media attention is a whole other question. For now, let us focus on the present Duchess of Cambridge’s stylish wedding dress. Prince William’s lovely bride was the picture of royal elegance in her ivory gown. Valued at over $388,000, this most expensive wedding dress by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen was an instant hit. The bespoke lace appliqué floral detail, 2.7-meter train and the translucent veil provided just a hint of magic. Kate’s dress ranks among the best wedding dresses of recent years.
6. Platinum Wedding DressPrice: $250,000 ($388,088)
Couples these days are choosing platinum over gold as the base for their engagement rings. So why should the best wedding dresses lag behind? A vibrant red platinum wedding dress went on display in Wuhu, in China’s Anhui Province. The gorgeous outfit is a luxurious take on the Chinese wedding gown. The rich red blossoms against the silver sparkle of the platinum, reminding viewers why the dress costs $250,000. If you are getting married in China, this is one of the best wedding dresses that money can buy.
7. Mauro Adami Wedding DressPrice: £240,000 ($372,564)
Some brides take the retro route at their weddings. And no one does retro better than the Italians. You will know exactly what I mean when you set your eyes on the most expensive wedding dress by Italian designer Mauro Adami. If you are looking for most expensive wedding gowns that exude unabashed femininity, you cannot go wrong with this incredibly pretty dress. The material is spun from high-quality silk and platinum thread. We love the dainty neckline coupled with the delicate embroidery. This most expensive wedding dress was on display at the 2008 Hatton Garden Jewellery Week in London.
8. Wedding Dress With 9,999 Carat GemsPrice: 999,999 Yuan (about $158,874)
The Chinese have really developed a taste for luxury in recent years. So it is no surprise that so many of the most expensive dresses hail from this region. In 2007, Chinese visitors to a jewelry store in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, were greeted by an expensive wedding dress on display. The outfit was adorned with 9,999 carats of gems, which pushed the price of the dress to nearly $160,000. A Hong Kong-based jewelry designer had created the expensive wedding dress.
9. ‘Bach Ngoc Xiem Y’ Wedding GownPrice: $117,000
The taste for luxury has spread to parts of South East Asia as well. So it is hardly surprising that one of the world’s most expensive dresses for brides hails from Vietnam. Named the “Bach ngoc xiem y”, this expensive wedding dress is created from white silk and satin. Designed with only wealthy brides in mind, this gorgeous wedding gown is adorned with 222 diamonds and 100 red rubies. In June this year, the creation by fashion designer Huy Vo stunned visitors at the Ruby Plaza trade center in Hanoi.
10. Imperial Pearl Syndicate GownPrice: $100,000
Nowadays, jewelry brands create expensive wedding dresses for promotional purposes. However, the trend began as early in the 1950s, when the Imperial Pearl Syndicate commissioned what became, at the time, the world’s most expensive wedding dress. Valued at $100,000 in the 1950s, this magnificent wedding dress was made using pre-war cultured pearls. It took 15 years to collect these pearls. As for the dress, eight dressmakers spent two months on this stunning 1950s wedding dress.
More Head-Turning Wedding Dresses
1. Princess Diana’s Wedding Gown
Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding gown was the stuff of fairytale dreams. As she walked down the aisle with Prince Charles, all eyes were fixated on her elaborate and expensive wedding dress. The ivory silk taffeta gown featured elaborate lace detailing. The designers used 10,000 pearls to add that extravagant royal touch to the bridal outfit of this princess to be. And who can forget the 25-foot train that added a necessary dash of fantasy to this formal royal wedding. Even today, Princess Diana’s dress remains etched into everyone’s memory. Kate Middleton certainly had big shoes to fill when she agreed to walk down the aisle with Prince William.
2. Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress
Kate Middleton’s elegant wedding dress raised comparisons with the gown that Grace Kelly wore to her royal wedding. The Hollywood actress looked like a true princess during her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier. Her outfit, designed by Helen Rose, went down in fashion history books as one of the best dresses ever. The demure full sleeves showed that the actress had turned the corner and become royalty. The cost of her dress remains unknown. But with 100 yards of silk net and 25 yards of silk taffeta, there is no question that this is among the most expensive wedding dresses that the world has seen.
3. Melania Knauss’ Wedding Gown
When marrying an American tycoon, you have got to dress the part. It appears that former model Melania Knauss was aware of this unwritten rule while preparing to walk down the aisle with billionaire Donald Trump in 2005. The model took the designer route, and got none other than John Galliano to design her elaborate wedding gown. Why is this on our list of the most expensive wedding dresses? Take a look at the materials and you will know why. The John Galliano wedding gown was crafted out of 300 feet of white duchesse satin and adorned with 1,500 pearls and crystal rhinestones. We love the high-fashion skirt and the 13-foot train.
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Wedding Dress
When Catherine Zeta-Jones decided to marry Michael Douglas, she must have broken many hearts. But the romantic dress that she wore to the year 2000 wedding made up for everything. Catherine went straight to Christian Lacroix for her ivory sheath wedding gown. Rumor has it that the dress costs $1.5 million – a figure that would place this most expensive wedding dress in the top 5 of our list of the most expensive wedding gowns. Even today, brides-to-be swoon over the elegant lace train on this dress.
5. Victoria Beckham’s Wedding Dress
Victoria and David Beckham are among today’s power couples. In a world troubled by divorce, the Spice Girl and the soccer star are incredibly stable. They married in July 1999, and already Victoria was making waves for her fashion sense. The strapless Vera Wang wedding dress that she wore was made of a pale champagne satin. We don’t know how much the former Spice Girl paid for it, but we are pretty sure it ranks among the most expensive wedding dresses in the world.
World's most expensive cocktail dress costs $15 Million
We have earlier told you about one-of-a-kind custom dresses, including most expensive wedding dresses, most expensive prom dress and $30 million diamond dress dubbed the "Nightingale of Kuala Lumpur." Now, Tov International has taken the haute couture fashion world with storm with its $15 million cocktail dress made out of diamonds. The most expensive cocktail dress was unveiled at the American Gem Society’s Conclave Fashion Show 2012.
1. The Diamond Wedding GownPrice: $12 million
Ranking first among the most expensive wedding dresses in the world is this diamond encrusted wedding gown. Laced with 150 carats of diamonds, this $12 million wedding gown is among the most expensive dresses in the world. Slip into this gorgeous dress and you are sure to feel like a princess. However, the diamond wedding gown was not created for a bride-to-be. It was painstakingly put together for a 2006 Bridal Show held in The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey near Rodeo Drive. Bridal couture designer Renee Strauss teamed up with Martin Katz Jewelers to create this magnificent wedding gown. In our books, this is one of the best wedding dresses ever made.
2. Yumi Katsura White Gold Diamond DressPrice: $8.5 million
Japanese designer Yumi Katsura is an institution. She has been one of the leading lights of the international bridal fashion industry. Often referred to as the “Missionary of Bridal”, this Japan-based bridal designer has dressed over 650,000 brides. But few could have afforded the designer’s most expensive creation – a white gold wedding dress with a diamond centerpiece and pearl detailing. Using the ingredients of jewelry, Katsura fashioned one of the most expensive wedding gowns ever. Over 1,000 pearls and a 5-carat white gold diamond adorn this expensive wedding dress pushing its price to a handsome $8.5 million.
3. Peacock Wedding DressPrice: $1.5 million
White is the color of the traditional wedding dress. But some brides like to stand out. So instead of putting together yet another conventional bridal gown, the designers of the peacock wedding dress took a whole other route. They decided to make a bridal splash by stitching together 2,009 peacock feathers to create one of the most expensive wedding gowns in the world. Animal activists will gasp at the sight of this extravagant gown, but there is no getting away from its almost royal appeal. Painstakingly hand-crafted by eight artisans over two months, the $1.5 million peacock wedding dress was the star of a wedding expo held in Nanjing, China.
4. Danasha Luxury GownPrice: $1.5 million
While many brides seek wedding dresses with a flurry of frills, a large tulle and a never-ending train, elaborate wedding gowns are no longer the rule. These days, bridal designers also cater to the modern woman who loves clean, minimalist designs. The princess of today can splurge on most expensive dresses that are elegant and uncomplicated. The Danasha luxury gown pictured above is the perfect example. Danasha Luxury collaborated with fashion designer Jad Ghandour to create this beautiful fuss-free wedding gown for the modern woman. But look beyond the simple silhouette and oversized belt. This taffeta gown bears 250 grams of 18-karat gold and 75 carats of high-quality diamonds hand-picked from Antwerp, Belgium. No wonder it comes with a $1.5 million price tag.
5. Kate Middleton’s Wedding DressPrice: £250,000 (about $388,088)
Kate Middleton pulled off the impossible in the run-up to her fairytale wedding. The to-be-princess managed to keep her wedding dress a secret right up until the big day. How she managed it in the face of constant media attention is a whole other question. For now, let us focus on the present Duchess of Cambridge’s stylish wedding dress. Prince William’s lovely bride was the picture of royal elegance in her ivory gown. Valued at over $388,000, this most expensive wedding dress by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen was an instant hit. The bespoke lace appliqué floral detail, 2.7-meter train and the translucent veil provided just a hint of magic. Kate’s dress ranks among the best wedding dresses of recent years.
6. Platinum Wedding DressPrice: $250,000 ($388,088)
Couples these days are choosing platinum over gold as the base for their engagement rings. So why should the best wedding dresses lag behind? A vibrant red platinum wedding dress went on display in Wuhu, in China’s Anhui Province. The gorgeous outfit is a luxurious take on the Chinese wedding gown. The rich red blossoms against the silver sparkle of the platinum, reminding viewers why the dress costs $250,000. If you are getting married in China, this is one of the best wedding dresses that money can buy.
7. Mauro Adami Wedding DressPrice: £240,000 ($372,564)
Some brides take the retro route at their weddings. And no one does retro better than the Italians. You will know exactly what I mean when you set your eyes on the most expensive wedding dress by Italian designer Mauro Adami. If you are looking for most expensive wedding gowns that exude unabashed femininity, you cannot go wrong with this incredibly pretty dress. The material is spun from high-quality silk and platinum thread. We love the dainty neckline coupled with the delicate embroidery. This most expensive wedding dress was on display at the 2008 Hatton Garden Jewellery Week in London.
8. Wedding Dress With 9,999 Carat GemsPrice: 999,999 Yuan (about $158,874)
The Chinese have really developed a taste for luxury in recent years. So it is no surprise that so many of the most expensive dresses hail from this region. In 2007, Chinese visitors to a jewelry store in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, were greeted by an expensive wedding dress on display. The outfit was adorned with 9,999 carats of gems, which pushed the price of the dress to nearly $160,000. A Hong Kong-based jewelry designer had created the expensive wedding dress.
9. ‘Bach Ngoc Xiem Y’ Wedding GownPrice: $117,000
The taste for luxury has spread to parts of South East Asia as well. So it is hardly surprising that one of the world’s most expensive dresses for brides hails from Vietnam. Named the “Bach ngoc xiem y”, this expensive wedding dress is created from white silk and satin. Designed with only wealthy brides in mind, this gorgeous wedding gown is adorned with 222 diamonds and 100 red rubies. In June this year, the creation by fashion designer Huy Vo stunned visitors at the Ruby Plaza trade center in Hanoi.
10. Imperial Pearl Syndicate GownPrice: $100,000
Nowadays, jewelry brands create expensive wedding dresses for promotional purposes. However, the trend began as early in the 1950s, when the Imperial Pearl Syndicate commissioned what became, at the time, the world’s most expensive wedding dress. Valued at $100,000 in the 1950s, this magnificent wedding dress was made using pre-war cultured pearls. It took 15 years to collect these pearls. As for the dress, eight dressmakers spent two months on this stunning 1950s wedding dress.
More Head-Turning Wedding Dresses
1. Princess Diana’s Wedding Gown
Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding gown was the stuff of fairytale dreams. As she walked down the aisle with Prince Charles, all eyes were fixated on her elaborate and expensive wedding dress. The ivory silk taffeta gown featured elaborate lace detailing. The designers used 10,000 pearls to add that extravagant royal touch to the bridal outfit of this princess to be. And who can forget the 25-foot train that added a necessary dash of fantasy to this formal royal wedding. Even today, Princess Diana’s dress remains etched into everyone’s memory. Kate Middleton certainly had big shoes to fill when she agreed to walk down the aisle with Prince William.
2. Grace Kelly’s Wedding Dress
Kate Middleton’s elegant wedding dress raised comparisons with the gown that Grace Kelly wore to her royal wedding. The Hollywood actress looked like a true princess during her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier. Her outfit, designed by Helen Rose, went down in fashion history books as one of the best dresses ever. The demure full sleeves showed that the actress had turned the corner and become royalty. The cost of her dress remains unknown. But with 100 yards of silk net and 25 yards of silk taffeta, there is no question that this is among the most expensive wedding dresses that the world has seen.
3. Melania Knauss’ Wedding Gown
When marrying an American tycoon, you have got to dress the part. It appears that former model Melania Knauss was aware of this unwritten rule while preparing to walk down the aisle with billionaire Donald Trump in 2005. The model took the designer route, and got none other than John Galliano to design her elaborate wedding gown. Why is this on our list of the most expensive wedding dresses? Take a look at the materials and you will know why. The John Galliano wedding gown was crafted out of 300 feet of white duchesse satin and adorned with 1,500 pearls and crystal rhinestones. We love the high-fashion skirt and the 13-foot train.
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Wedding Dress
When Catherine Zeta-Jones decided to marry Michael Douglas, she must have broken many hearts. But the romantic dress that she wore to the year 2000 wedding made up for everything. Catherine went straight to Christian Lacroix for her ivory sheath wedding gown. Rumor has it that the dress costs $1.5 million – a figure that would place this most expensive wedding dress in the top 5 of our list of the most expensive wedding gowns. Even today, brides-to-be swoon over the elegant lace train on this dress.
5. Victoria Beckham’s Wedding Dress
Victoria and David Beckham are among today’s power couples. In a world troubled by divorce, the Spice Girl and the soccer star are incredibly stable. They married in July 1999, and already Victoria was making waves for her fashion sense. The strapless Vera Wang wedding dress that she wore was made of a pale champagne satin. We don’t know how much the former Spice Girl paid for it, but we are pretty sure it ranks among the most expensive wedding dresses in the world.
World's most expensive cocktail dress costs $15 Million
We have earlier told you about one-of-a-kind custom dresses, including most expensive wedding dresses, most expensive prom dress and $30 million diamond dress dubbed the "Nightingale of Kuala Lumpur." Now, Tov International has taken the haute couture fashion world with storm with its $15 million cocktail dress made out of diamonds. The most expensive cocktail dress was unveiled at the American Gem Society’s Conclave Fashion Show 2012.
The diamond studded Chloe and Reese cocktail gown worth $15 million