This past weekend, billionaire heir Anant Ambani tied the knot with Radhika Merchant in a lavish ceremony in Mumbai. The extravagant three-day event was attended by politicians and celebrities, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former UK prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, and the Kardashian sisters, Kim and Khloé. The Ambanis, India’s wealthiest family and owners of Reliance Industries, covered the costs of the opulent affair, which is estimated to have run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Weddings are celebrated in various ways across the globe, with differences in the guest list size, duration of festivities, and of course, the expenses incurred. According to data from The Knot, an online wedding publication, the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2023 was $35,000, approximately $300 per guest, excluding expenses for jewelry, engagement rings, or a honeymoon.
Following the United States, the average wedding cost in the United Kingdom was $28,500, in Spain it was $25,700, in Italy $23,900, and in France $21,800. In India, the average wedding cost for middle-class couples was around $25,000, although 15 percent of couples were found to spend more than $45,000 on their weddings in that year.
The Knot analysts note that the average middle-class household earns between $7,000 and $40,000 annually. When it comes to the size of the guest list, India topped the list among 15 surveyed countries in 2023 with an average of 326 guests, followed by the U.S. with 146 guests, Uruguay with 129, Brazil with 124, and Spain with 121.
It is interesting to note the cultural and economic factors that influence the cost and scale of weddings in different countries. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where weddings are seen as significant life events, the average cost tends to be higher compared to countries like Spain and France. The tradition of hosting large gatherings with extended family and friends also plays a role in determining the average guest list size.
Furthermore, the rise of social media and celebrity influence has contributed to the trend of extravagant weddings, where couples are inspired to create elaborate and luxurious celebrations. The pressure to make weddings a grand affair can often lead to couples overspending and going beyond their budget, as highlighted by the data on wedding costs in various countries.
In conclusion, weddings are a reflection of cultural traditions, societal norms, and personal preferences, which all contribute to the varying costs associated with these celebrations. Whether it’s a lavish affair like Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding or a more modest gathering, the most important aspect of any wedding is the celebration of love and commitment between two individuals, regardless of the price tag.
