What to Know About the Most Expensive Wedding of 2024 Happening this Weekend

This weekend, all eyes are on Mumbai as it hosts what many are calling the most spectacular wedding of the year, if not the decade. Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s wealthiest individual, Mukesh Ambani, is set to marry Radhika Merchant, whose family also boasts considerable wealth and influence in the pharmaceutical sector.

The wedding, scheduled for July 12-14, isn’t just a day-long affair but the culmination of a breathtaking 134-day series of pre-wedding celebrations that have captured the imagination of people globally. 

The festivities have already featured performances by international stars such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and a host of Bollywood celebrities, making this not just a union of two hearts but a spectacular global event.

Earlier this year, the Ambanis threw a lavish three-day bash in Jamnagar, where 1,200 VIPs, including tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg and music icon Rihanna, were in attendance. 

The event was nothing short of a fairy tale with an elaborate light show and a performance by Rihanna in a glass palace, marking one of her rare appearances since the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show.

But the celebrations didn’t stop there. Anant and Radhika hosted a sumptuous Mediterranean cruise in late May for their close friends and family. The journey spanned several European destinations and included live performances from the likes of Andrea Bocelli, the Backstreet Boys, and Katy Perry.

Wedding venue and its details

The main wedding ceremony is set to take place at the Jio World Convention Centre, a sprawling venue in Mumbai capable of hosting over 16,000 guests. The celebrations will also extend to the Ambani family residence, Antilia, a 27-story skyscraper in Mumbai valued at around $1 billion. 

This architectural marvel, known for its luxurious amenities including a private movie theatre, swimming pools, and a vast garage for 160 cars, will serve as a stunning backdrop to the wedding festivities.

Amid the opulence, the Ambanis have also shown their philanthropic side. In a heartwarming gesture, the family sponsored a mass wedding for 50 underprivileged couples last weekend, sharing their joy with those less fortunate.

What to expect

As the big day approaches, excitement continues to build. With a guest list that reads like a who’s who of global elites from various sectors—including politics, entertainment, and technology—the wedding is not just a personal celebration but a significant social event.

If the pre-wedding festivities are anything to go by, the wedding itself is expected to be a grand affair, reflecting not just the wealth but the cultural richness of two prominent families coming together.