When it comes to weddings, there’s extravagant, and then there’s the Ambani wedding. This weekend, Mumbai will be the epicenter of opulence as Anant Ambani—the youngest son of billionaire magnate Mukesh Ambani—marries Radhika Merchant, heiress to a pharmaceutical dynasty, in a ceremony that caps off seven months of jaw-dropping celebrations.
Since their engagement in December 2023, Anant and Radhika have hosted a series of events so lavish, they almost defy belief. From a European cruise featuring Katy Perry and Andrea Bocelli to a pre-wedding bash with Rihanna, no expense has been spared.
As the youngest member of Asia’s wealthiest family, Anant’s wedding was always going to be grand. Back in 2018, his sister Isha’s wedding cost upwards of $100 million. Now, with Anant being the last of the Ambani children to wed, the family is pulling out all the stops for an unforgettable celebration.
The Cost of Extravagance
The big question on everyone’s mind is: How much does a wedding like this cost? While the Ambanis have remained tight-lipped, estimates suggest the total could be between $132 million and $156 million. However, The Daily Mail speculates the figure could be as high as $320 million, considering the costs of security, transportation, food, and star-studded performances. Rihanna alone reportedly pocketed $7 million for her pre-wedding performance.
But for the Ambani family, this is just a drop in the bucket. Mukesh Ambani, Anant’s father, is the richest man in Asia with a net worth of $123.3 billion, making this lavish affair well within their means.
Star Performances
The main event is expected to feature performances from music icons like Drake, Adele, or Lana Del Rey. Given the lineup for the pre-wedding festivities, nothing seems out of reach. In March, Rihanna, Akon, and Diljit Dosanjh took the stage. The European cruise in May saw performances by Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, the Backstreet Boys, and Pitbull. Justin Bieber even made a surprise appearance at a pre-wedding event in Mumbai, reportedly earning $10 million.
Celebrity Guest List
The guest list for the Ambani wedding reads like a who’s who of global A-listers. Pre-wedding events were graced by Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, Ivanka Trump, and Bollywood royalty like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh. For the main event, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, John Cena, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are among those expected to attend.
The Grand Venues
Mumbai will partially shut down for the wedding, considered a “public event” much like a royal wedding. The main ceremony will be held at the Jio World Convention Center, a venue that can accommodate 16,500 people. A red carpet will welcome the star-studded guests, with a dress code of classical Indian attire. Additional ceremonies will take place at Antilia, the Ambani family’s 27-story residence, adorned with elaborate decorations and live music.
Months of Celebrations
The wedding weekend is just the grand finale to months of celebrations. It all started in January with a mehndi ceremony and an engagement bash. The festivities grew grander with a pre-wedding party in Jamnagar featuring fireworks and Rihanna, a European cruise in May, and a series of traditional ceremonies earlier this month.
This weekend’s celebrations include the main wedding ceremony on Friday, a divine blessings ceremony on Saturday, and a grand reception on Sunday. As the nearly year-long celebration comes to a close, the Ambani wedding promises to be a spectacle unlike any other. And with the honeymoon yet to come, the world will be watching to see what this power couple does next.
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