There are very few things in life that will cost as much as a wedding and rightly so. It’s pitched to be the most magical day of your life. With the royal wedding buzz starting to calm down (only ever-so-slightly), the numbers for this year’s most talked about wedding are starting to come in. These figures will certainly soothe the woes of those currently struggling with a budget for their upcoming nuptials or those who almost shed a tear thinking about the money they have spent.
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via BBC
According to Bridebook, it’s estimated that the wedding cost £32 million which roughly converts to $57 million AUD. The average Australian wedding costs $48,624.61 in 2017. To put this all into context, the wedding budget for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could pay for 1,116 average Australian weddings.
In saying this, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had expenses that the ordinary couple would not have to consider. The biggest expense was security, with an estimated £30 million ($53 million AUD) spent on protecting the royals and public. Those who travelled to Windsor were required to “pass through airport-style security scanners” before they could enter the town, according to Business Insider.
Now that the big number out of the way, here is the cost breakdown of royal wedding.
Venues
Harry and Meghan were wed in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and had their reception at Frogmore House. These building are both owned by the Crown Estate and were most likely used free of charge. However, they would be required to pay the £175 marriage fee, just like everyone else. Their evening reception was held in a lavish glass marquee worth an estimated $600,000.
Cost: £350,000 | $621,881 AUD
Dresses
Meghan wore a Givenchy wedding dress designed by Clare Waight Keller and a Stella McCartney reception dress. Waight Keller also designed the bridesmaid dresses.
Estimated Cost: £300,000 | $533,041 AUD
Hair and Makeup
Meghan’s makeup was done by makeup artist and Dior Brand Ambassador Daniel Martin. He used cult products like the Dior Lip Glow which retails for $49. Her signature messy bun was styled by Serge Normant and only took 45 minutes to complete from start to finish, according to the Daily Mail.
Estimated Cost: £10,000 | $17,768 AUD
Food
The reception lunch menu included an diverse range of luxury canapes such as Warm Asparagus Spears with Mozzarella and Sun-Blush Tomatoes.
Estimated Cost: £286,000 | $508,165 AUD
Jewellery
Meghan was lent Queen Mary’s Filigree Tiara which features a diamond bandeau with detachable diamond brooch. She also wore Cartier studs and bracelet set that is valued at $227,000. She finished off her reception look with the late Princess Diana’s aquamarine ring.
Estimated Cost: £225,123 | $400,000
Cars
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle travelled to the evening reception in style in a Jaguar E-Type 1968 equipped with personalised number plates.
Estimated Cost: £350,000 | $621,881 AUD
Flowers
Meghan’s bouquet was created by florist Philippa Craddock with flowers that were picked by Prince Harry from the Kensington Palace private gardens. These flowers might be free but the grand floral arrangements throughout the chapel were certainly not!
Estimated Cost: £110,000 | $195,448 AUD
The total cost of the other elements such as the cake, music, and amenities has an estimated combined cost of £902,000 (roughly $160,2676 AUD)!
Though the biggest question on everyone’s mind is who paid for everything? The security costs would have been accommodated through taxpayers, while the royal family, bride, and groom would have picked up the rest of the bill. They say you can’t put a price tag on love, but when it comes to royal weddings, you definitely can.
Written by Sarah Mourtos
