This $6.4 Million Wedding Included 1 Million Flowers Inside a British Castle
If you thought Pippa Middleton’s wedding was as extravagant as it gets, the $6.4 million ceremony that recently took place in the English countryside at Oxfordshire’s Blenheim Palace is about to blow your mind.
Folarin Alakija, the son of Nigerian billionaire oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija (AKA Forbes‘ 18th richest person in the world), walked down the aisle with Iranian-born model Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar (who he met while studying in London) last weekend, and there was absolutely no expense spared for their fairytale wedding brought to life.
Although the couple is said to have hosted a traditional Nigerian wedding in Lagos last November, the festivities kicked off with a walk down the aisle. The groom wore a classic black tux complete with a bowtie while his bride dazzled in a strapless white gown with lace detailing and a sweetheart neckline paired with a HUGE diamond necklace.
But it wasn’t just their formalwear that left us speechless. The palace, which is home to the Duke of Marlborough, is said to have set the couple back a cool $190,000 and that was before they decorated. Celebrity florist Jeff Leatham used one million white flowers to cover almost every single corner of the castle at a reported price tag of $256,000.
Leatham, who is the artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, gave it his all, using various shades of pink in his fantastic creations, which included stunning blush flower balls. “Game on – Get your balls in order,” he joked on Instagram. ” Prep before the Game.”
The tables at the reception were also covered with plenty of flowers complemented by crystal candles. Guests enjoyed a five-course meal that was announced on a flower-shaped menu and served on unique see-through studded plates.
Meanwhile, the bride wowed guests yet again for her grand reception entrance with a wardrobe change, switching into a gown which featured statement-making lace sleeves and a sheer tulle bottom: all the better for Ghaissarifar (who has a degree in bioengineering and biomedical engineering) to show off some fierce moves on the white marble dance floor.
The magical evening was capped off with a huge fireworks show and a live performance from pop star Robin Thicke (who reportedly charged $190,000 for his appearance), making the once-in-a-lifetime ceremony complete for a total cost of $6.4 million.
Talk about a day no one will ever forget. Congrats to the happy couple!
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(h/t Cosmopolitan; Photos via Ivorian Weddings/Facebook)