Listen up, everyone—this is the wedding we’ve all been waiting for! On May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are tying the knot at St. George’s Chapel in what's being called the most anticipated royal event since the last big royal wedding. Now, you might be wondering, who's footing the bill? Well, shortly after the couple's engagement was announced back in November, the royal family confirmed they’d be covering the expenses. But here’s the real question: how much is this extravagant day expected to cost?
Wedding planning experts at Bridebook.co.uk have done the math, and it seems the happy couple could be spending an eye-watering $2,762,884—yes, that’s over 100 times the national average spend of $25,124—excluding the rumored $42 million security budget and the honeymoon cost. Let's break it down and see where all the money is going.
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Hamish Shephard, the founder of Bridebook.co.uk, had this to say about the wedding: “This is the perfect blend of two incredible worlds. Prince Harry represents the rich history of the British monarchy, while Meghan Markle embodies the modern-day allure of celebrity. While they’ll be tying the knot in a historic castle, this wedding will also break records on social media.”
With an estimated 4,040 guests, 17,000 glasses of champagne, and an eight-tier banana cake, here's how Bridebook.co.uk broke down the costs of the big day.
Venue: $490,899
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn’t need to search for the perfect wedding venue like the rest of us mortals. When your grandmother happens to be Queen Elizabeth, you’ve got access to some of the most stunning locations in the world. The couple is getting married at the 800-seat St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, with the reception expected to take place at St. George’s Great Hall and then in an outdoor marquee set up in the castle’s Upper Ward grounds.
According to Bridebook, setting up a luxury glass marquee similar to the one used at Pippa Middleton’s wedding last year will cost about $420,771, with an additional $70,128 for catering, security, and staff for the adjoining marquees.
St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Catering: $401,135
Catering is one of the most expensive parts of any wedding, and this one is no different. Expect a formal reception for state guests and a dinner for close family and friends. According to Bridebook, a luxury caterer might charge at least $140 per guest for lunch and $420 per guest for dinner. There’s also the 2,640 members of the public invited to watch from the castle grounds, who could be served drinks and snacks.
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Drinks: $270,696
On the day, drinks will likely come from the Palace cellars. Bridebook suggests one glass of champagne for every 30 minutes of the reception, with half a bottle per guest per meal. With the couple’s extensive guest list, they’ll need at least 2,300 bottles to meet this demand. If they go for Bollinger, the royal family’s favorite champagne, they could spend around $190,749 on bubbly alone.
And don’t forget the Tign
