After seven long months of extravagant pre-wedding celebrations and festivities, Anant Ambani, the son of India’s richest man, finally wed pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant in a grand star-studded ceremony on Friday.
The glamorous, long-awaited event is reported to have cost around a staggering £250million – without taking into account the couple’s estimated £100million accumulation of luxury wedding gifts and the hosting of several of the world’s most iconic A-list celebrities.
Latest images from the wedding scenes show the bride draped in a heavy cream and red Indian bridal dress – called a lengha, adorned in jewels and a beaded headscarf as she holds hands with her new husband, Anant.
The happy groom was pictured beaming down at his new wife while donning a red beaded jacket – called a nehru – as the pair tied the knot in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the Ambani-owned, 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Center.
Police reportedly closed off roads surrounding the venue ahead of the massive star-studded wedding celebration that took place this afternoon.
Along with the extravagant jacket, Anant Ambani wore crisp white trousers and a pair of trainers featuring an extravagant gold logo.
Earlier in the day he posed alongside his proud parents; the managing director of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani, chairperson of the Reliance Foundation.
The Ambani family and a list of Bollywood stars were among the first guests photographed on the grand nuptial’s lavish pink carpet.
A-list guests who jetted out to Mumbai to attend what could be India’s biggest wedding this year included Kim and Khloe Kardashian, John Cena, and former British prime minister Tony Blair.
Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas also arrived at the prestigious wedding.
The India-born actress, 41, turned up the glamour in an orange bralette and matching skirt which she accessorised with a sparkling choker and bracelets.
Her brunette locks were styled in waves and fell just below her shoulders while her make-up was elegantly simple, save for pink blush and a matte rose lip.
Nick Jonas, 31, looked dashing in a pink sparkling nehru as he joined his stunning wife for a loved up display on the pink carpet.
Kim Kardashian stepped out in her second look of the day – a show stopping ruby red outfit – ahead of the grand event later this evening.
The influencer, 43 – who earlier stunned in white while enjoying a rickshaw ride with sister Khloe, 40, looked glam in a sparking red lehenga with tassels and a high waisted skirt.
The reality star accessorized with stacked diamond necklaces and wore a diamond pendant which rested on her forehead. Her hair was styled in natural looking waves and her makeup was camera ready.
Khloe Kardashian wowed in an intricately beaded cream and gold two-piece with matching sash. She accessorised the look with statement gold jewellery set around her neck and face. She topped it off with a pair of stylish black sunglasses.
John Cena donned a sky blue jacket which featured a grey floral pattern and silver buttons. He teamed the dress coat with white trousers and brown leather loafers.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his wife Leena Al Ashqar were also spotted at the wedding. The Italian-Swiss football administrator donned all black while his Lebanese wife looked glamorous in a tailored saree.
Mukesh Ambani was also seen on the carpet with members of his family, including his son Akash, daughter-in-law Shloka, daughter Isha and son-in-law Anand Piramal.
Earlier on sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian were spotted joining in with the pre-wedding celebrations; with the SKIMS founder making a bold move by slipping into a bridal white ensemble ahead of the grand nuptials.
Taking to Instagram, Kim shared a glimpse of her glamorous wedding look, which consisted of a white off-the-shoulder crop top and a matching skirt as she and Khloe boarded a rickshaw to head to the ceremony.
Khloe also showed off her incredible figure in a sexy nude dress, with both stars also sporting bindis on their foreheads ahead of the Hindu wedding.
Earlier on Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra were seen arriving in Mumbai ahead of what could be India’s biggest wedding this year.
The entrepreneur – who recently caused a stir by featuring Euros star Jude Bellingham in a skimpy SKIMS ad – was spotted waving to fans alongside her sister Khloe Kardashian.
It appeared the mother-of-four, 43, opted to go braless in a green halter-neck dress, while Khloe, 40, chose a more casual fit, including a white crop top and patchwork jeans.
Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas were also photographed arriving in India’s largest city, with the actress showing off her playful side by making a hilarious sign to the cameras.
The couple appeared laid back in loose fitted two-pieces, which each bore distinctive design patterns. They were seen waving to cameras as they disembarked from their vehicle with security.
Anant Ambani’s wedding to Radhika Merchant is geared to be one of the most lavish weddings ever witnessed and gets underway today. The happy couple were expected to receive more than £100 million worth of gifts to mark the extravagant festivities.
Workers began preparations this morning at India’s iconic JIO World Convention center, including the stageing of an extravagant red carpet and opulent decor.
The area features lush silver panels, cream-coloured walls, stunning candle arrangements and fresh flower bouquets. Workers were photographed cleaning the area ahead of the events VVIP guests.
And it seems security will be tight for the lavish event, as magician and Britain’s Got Talent contestant Lewis Fuller spoke to FEMAIL about his experience performing at Akash Ambani’s wedding in 2019.
‘At the events I had a security escort assigned to me, he was with me 24/7, he would even walk me to the bathroom and wait outside – that felt like a pretty bizarre situation for a young lad from Kent,’ he said.
Lewis, who is making his Ed Fringe debut at the Gilded Balloon in August with his new magic, music & comedy show: Ungentlemanly Conduct, added: ‘I first performed for the Anant Ambani family at the pre-wedding celebration party at one of the family homes.
‘It was so massive and jaw-droppingly beautiful, it was like another world. As I arrived, we went through numerous security procedures and I noticed there were armed guards outside the home.
‘The majority of the guests and performers were not allowed to have their mobile phones with them, but I use my phone in some magic tricks, so I was one of the few people allowed to keep mine.’
The ostentatious event will last three days and is estimated to have cost a staggering £100 million with the guest list including the likes of Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, Bill Gates; David and Victoria Beckham, and other industry titans; as well as Bollywood stars, pop stars and leading politicians.
Justin Bieber performed at Anant Ambani pre-wedding party for guests known as a ‘Sangeet’ and was paid a reported £7 million while according to sources, Adele, Drake or Lana Del Rey will provide the entertainment at a reception on Sunday evening.
Mr Anant Ambani, 67, who is listed by Forbes as the world’s ninth richest man and worth £100 billion has already gifted the couple a £62 million luxurious villa on Palm Jumeriah in Dubai which spans 3,000 square feet, has ten bedrooms, and comes with its own private beach.