When it comes to throwing a wedding, Asian couples have a reputation for turning their big day into a celebration of a lifetime. From shelling out millions to spoiling guests with days of extravagant pleasure, and donning the most elaborate designer wedding couture, this is how high profile and affluent newlyweds in the region kick off a new chapter in life.

1. Amit Bhatia and Vanisha Vittal, June 2004

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of @amitbhatia100/ Instagram

The most expensive wedding to go down in history at a US$ 61 million price tag belongs to billionaire heiress Vanisha and her banker husband, Amit. Their wedding oozed opulence unlike any other – the 11-day festivity kicked off with an engagement party at the Palace of Versailles, dinner at the Jardin des Tuileries and the wedding at The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte baroque palace.

The daughter of Lakhsmi, CEO of the world's biggest steelmaker, made an entrance on a bejewelled chariot and emerged in a Vera Wang wedding gown, among numerous other dresses. 1,000 lucky guests were flown to France on 12 private jets and put up at Le Grand InterContinental Hotel, while the couple had their very own makeshift castle built in Saint Cloud. Bollywood superstars and international luminaries were in attendance, with performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Kylie Minogue, who sang amidst a backdrop of fireworks and the Eiffel Tower.

 See also: How Dr Simerdip Kaur & Hardeep Parkash Singh Sandhu Planned Their Big Fat Punjabi Wedding From Overseas

2. Jay Chou and Hannah Quinlivan, January 2015 

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Jay Chou / Instagram

Mandopop king Jay married model Hannah in a race to the alter before he turned 36, keeping to his word to settle down at age 35. The nuptials place in Yorkshire’s historic Selby Abbey, for a very exclusive ceremony attended by 50 family members and friends.

Jay wore an Alexander McQueen suit while his bride donned a white, Tudor-inspired princess gown with a heart cutout at the back and cathedral train designed by Mikael Derderian. Although relatively pared down compared to majority celebrity weddings, their US$1 million nuptials was filled with personal touches, including a string orchestra playing out a song Jay specially composed.

See also: Inside The Fairy-Tale Wedding Of Faliq Nasimuddin & Chryseis Tan

3. Prince Abdul Malik and Dayangku Raabi'atul 'Adawiyyah Pengiran Haji Bolkiah, April 2015

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of The Daily Brunei Resources website

Nurul Iman Palace in Bandar Seri Begawan was dripping in gold for the 10-day wedding of the Brunei crown prince. More gold, glitter and precious stone sparkled as the prince and his bride – crowned with a diamond and emerald-studded tiara – emerged in their finery and sat upon pure gold thrones. The bride was decked in jewels from head to toe, ‘dressed’ in a diamond-encrusted necklace, a Swarovski crystal gold ankle bracelet, and a bouquet of gemstones.

For their royal banquet, the pair kept to a regal theme: The groom in his gala uniform while the princess, in a purple, sweeping gown embellished with crystal motifs and silver embroidery, a ruby-encrusted crown to top her look. International dignitaries, diplomats and politicians were witnesses of the royal union.

See also: Couple Spotlight On The Royal Lovers Of Our Hearts, Tengku Zatashah Idris & Dato' Setia Aubry Mennesson

4. Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming, October 2015

Tatler Asia
Above PhotoL Courtesy of Dior

The wedding to top it all is the staggering US$ 31 million one of Angelababy and Xiao Ming. The six-carat ring itself cost US$ 1.6 million and was designed by French jeweller Chaumet, while the bridal dress, in all its 115 feet ivory satin organza and 165 feet tulle glory, took Dior 5 months to create. 

The wedding costs rival that of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s $34 million nuptials, and was held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, decked out in fresh roses. The ceremony’s 2,000 attendees feasted their eyes on a holographic castle and a ten-foot carousel-shaped cake, and went home with gift bags containing a mobile phone and Dove chocolates. 

See also: 30 Lavish Gift Ideas For The Bride & Groom Who Have It All

5. Jessica Goutama and Ken Tashiro, November 2015

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Singapore Tatler

Singaporean bride Jessica had always envisioned herself chauffeured – no, driven in a horse-drawn “crystal coach” – that came true for her wedding at Rose Court Garden, Disneyland Hotel, California. Her groom Ken went so far as to achieve a fairytale wedding banquet, with appearance by Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, was transformed into a Winter Fantasy wedding banquet, added with winter trees, fairy lights, snowflakes, crystals and rose petals of Disneyland proportion to welcome the ‘princess’ who chose a stunning bespoke Monique Lhuillier. The couple’s cake was a showpiece in itself; nine-tiers of white fondant, and decorated with crystals and LED lights.

See also: Wedding Of Jim Tan & Enya Chen

6. Shu Qi and Stephen Fung, September 2016

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Bulgari

Choosing to tone down the extravagance in favour of a casual do was Shu Qi and her actor-director lover. The pair enacted a low-frills wedding-like a weekend getaway that took place in Prague, and announced their new chapter through simple social media. The bride recycled a H&M bridal gown gift while the groom attired in a simple suit, choosing to let their affection andf pure joy for each another shine through instead.

The most costly thing on the couple would probably be their Bulgari Serpenti wedding bands. In any case, nothing measures up the sum of true love.

See also: 7 Places In KL To Preview Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Wedding Cake Flavours

7. Muhammad Rahmat Geneid and Chika Tatsuzawa, October 2016

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Malaysia Tatler October 2016

Arguably the most talked-about marriage in this part of the world, in its entire grand ceremonial spectacle, is the wedding of Muhammad Rahmat Geneid and Chika Tatsuzawa. The cross-cultural occasion preceded a multi-country jamboree: The son of Dato’ Robert Geneid and Datuk Raziah Mahmud-Geneid first had his home transformed into a floral castle, for a solemnisation attended by high-profile guests including the Sultanah Kalsom of Pahang. 

The Japanese leg of the wedding took place 2 weeks later, where they gathered at the Meiji Shrine for a sacred Shinto ceremony. All guests brought out their traditional kimonos and hakamas to witness the customary proceedings, before adjourning to the Meiji Kinenkan for dinner.    

See also: Nazrul Nazaruddin, On Wedding Rituals That Are The Pride Of Malay Identity  

8. Feiping Chang and Lincoln Li, June 2017

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of @xoxofei/ Instagram

Hong Kong’s Feiping and Lincoln Li made headlines with a splendid 3 day-wedding on the island of Capri, Italy, that was a scene from paradise at each second. The carefully thought-out matrimony was meaningful to the last detail, starting with a welcome dinner at the legendary Da Paolino, a beach party at La Conca del Sogno club, and finally, their wedding at the historic Villa Lysis which they completed refurbished, complete with a new bridge. 

Romance was the order of the weekend, depicted by flowers everywhere, a jaw-dropping dessert room, and a huge milefoglie wedding cake. Feiping’s Giambattista Valli gown stole the show when she unveiled a dreamy, tulle-pleated layered dress that took almost 10 months to make.

See also: Wedding Of Lee Yin Yen & Andrew Kwan

9. Hayden Kho Jr and Vicki Belo, September 2017

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of @joelserrato/ Instagram

It was a wedding long time coming for Vicki and Hayden. The pair have been together for 13 years, and when they finally decided to take the plunge, it was a sumptuous occasion befitting their unwavering bond. The couple booked out the Palais Garnier, Paris for their reception, made more authentic with opera singers, harpists and world-class performers to serenade over 200 guests.

Insiders describe their matrimony like that of the movies, complete with a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ first dance, dramatic grand staircase, gilded frescos, chandeliers and lush floral décor. The bride wore a sweeping blush gown by Michael Cinco in what was called ‘the wedding of the century’ title bestowed by Philippine Tatler.

See also: 6 Brides & The Beauty Must-Haves On Their Wedding Day

10. Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki, Oct 2017

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of @kyo1122

The marriage of Korean drama costars Joong Ki and Hye Kyo – fondly known as the Song Song couple – caused quite a frenzy in the K-Pop world when they got married in a hushed do at the acclaimed Shilla Seoul hotel. The beautiful duo kept it private and classy – with the bride donning a pearlescent Christian Dior gown, and a tight guest list, which included their celebrity colleagues. 

Whilst the couple managed to keep it away from the limelight as much as possible, a few snapshots unveiled a glimpse of the emotional celebration, with moments like a serenade and exchanging of vows that left not a dry eye in the room.

See also: The Dream Dress: Amira Geneid In Zuhair Murad

11. Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff, November 2017

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of @annecurtissmith/Instagram

The toast of Philippine society, Anne, chose to say 'I Do' to her beau Erwan in the springtime backdrop of Queenstown, New Zealand. The completely rustic beauty of the picturesque countryside framed the couple’s raw affection, who couldn't keep their eyes off each other. 

Anne wore a custom made Monique Lhuillier lace gown and opted for rosy, natural hair and makeup. Erwan cut a dashing figure in a dark grey suit, added with a special touch of spoon brooch. Personal touches crept into their dinner reception via tables named after music festivals.

See also: 3 Society Brides & The Story Of Their Wedding Class

12. Chryseis Tan and Faliq Nasimuddin, February 2018

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of @chrystan_x/Instagram

It’s not just a marriage of two powerful families; it’s also a symbolic union between two races. Berjaya Group heiress Chryseis tied the knot to her beloved, Faliq Nasimuddin, the youngest member of the Naza TTDI conglomerate, in a multicultural formality paying homage to their Chinese and Malay roots.

The akad nikah – solemnisation ceremony – took place in the hilly spa resort of The Chateau Bukit Tinggi, and was blanketed with endless garlands and suspended blooms by Thai décor specialist, Rainforest The Wedding. Canopies of flowers perfumed the celestial setup, which was attended by the couple’s prominent family members and closest friends.

See also: Exclusive: The 4 Fairytale Wedding Ceremonies Of Dr Fazliana Abd Rashid & Dr Farid Razali

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