As far as weddings go, this one really takes the (ridiculously expensive) cake.
A billionaire’s son and his model girlfriend have wed at Blenheim Palace this weekend, costing over $8.5 million AUD.
Folarin Alakija is the son of Nigerian female oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija, who has been ranked the 18th richest person in Africa by Forbes.
He is said to have met his bride, Iranian-born Nazanin Jadarian Ghaissarifar while studying in the UK.
The wedding, which was nothing short of a fairytale, was held at the Oxofordshire Stately Home of Blenheim Palace, which is the main residence of the Duke of Marlborough. It was also the ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill. Venue
Venue hire itself costs approximately $250,000 AUD.
Wedding pictures shared on social media by guests (including Victoria’s Secret Angel Shanina Shaik) showed the real extravagance, coming in the decoration of the venue.
Jeff Leatham, Celebrity florist and Artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris, transformed the space, turning the palace into a “white wedding.”
The couple spared no expense, reportedly acquiring upwards of one million white blooms.
Guests were treated to a five-course meny from Searcy’s catering followed by The 12-foot cake, adorned with hundreds of intricate roses and doves, created by Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium.
For entertainment, Robin Thicke was flown in to perform, followed by a fireworks display.
Speaking to Harpers Bazaar UK, Hamish Shepard of Bridebook, said: “The preparations and construction of their custom clear marquee, including a bespoke marble floor with their gold initials, would have required up to a week of exclusive hire of the Palace, with the cost of the marquee on top.”
“The spectacular endless flowers by Jeff Leatham are likely to have cost at least £200,000 ($338,000 AUD),” he continued.
“With food and drink, Robin Thicke (at £150,000, $253,000 AUD) and all the other items for the big day, including the dress, on top, the wedding will have no doubt cost more than £1million ($1.6m AUD) and potentially several million more.”
As for Nazanin’s dress, she chose a strapless white gown adorned with lace during the day, but is said to have changed into a party dress in the evening.
The couple got engaged last year and had a traditional Nigerian wedding in Lagos in November, The Daily Mail reports. Folarin is an entrepreneur, while his new wife Nazanin has a degree in bioengineering and biomedical engineering from the University of Manchester.
RELATED: How Much The Average Australian Spends On Their Wedding Dress
RELATED: This Is The Wedding Trend That Is Losing Popularity
