The average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2026 is approximately $34,000–$36,000, according to recent industry studies, which many people consider quite expensive. But then we get to the wealthy, where couples like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reportedly spent around $400,000 on their 2022 three-day wedding. Lopez most notably used wedding planner Colin Cowie, whose services typically range from $25,000 to $25 million. She also wore three custom Ralph Lauren dresses and over $2 million worth of jewelry, including Mikimoto pearl and diamond earrings. One may think the more expensive the wedding, the stronger the love and the more likely a couple is to stay together forever. However, cost does not guarantee permanence.
The wealthy approach marriage very differently from lower-income or middle-class couples, not because they love less, but because marriage at that level is deeply tied to assets, legacy, reputation, taxes, business, and long-term strategy. Take Jay-Z and Beyoncé, for example. They are no longer just a married couple, they are a brand. It is more than “we love each other” and “we want to build a life together.” It becomes, “How does this affect my estate?” and “How does this marriage or divorce impact my business?” and, most importantly, “Can our lives operate together without destroying what already exists?” For the wealthy, these questions are considered practical.
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That last question is often the most important and is usually why wealthy people heavily consider the timing of their lives before deciding to marry. Lower-income or working-class couples often have a mindset around marriage that is tied to emotional milestones—a woman graduating college, pregnancy, religious expectations, stability through partnership, or the belief that marriage or partnership is the foundation needed to “build together.”
This type of thinking can often lead to less fulfilling marriages and, eventually, divorce or, in rare cases, even violence. Financial burdens and responsibilities change once you are married, and the wealthy understand this. As a result, they are often more inclined to think about marriage and settling down only after their careers are established, assets are accumulated, businesses are structured, trusts are created, reputations are secured, and long-term lifestyle compatibility has been observed and accepted.
The film Anora touches on this. It was not just because she was a prostitute that Ivan’s parents were furious about the news that their son had married her, it was because the decision was hasty and represented a liability to the family, their reputation, and their resources—most of the time, those two things are tied together. Marriage at that level can affect inheritance structures and, in some cases, even shareholder confidence, depending on the type of business driving the family’s capital gains.
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The wealthy tend to spend more time analyzing whether marriage makes sense because they have more to lose structurally. The reality is that, at a certain point in life, they may even put off marriage because they already have access to relationships without the need for a legal union. Poorer couples often hope marriage will create stability, and in some cases, it does. The junior executive is now in the running to become the senior executive because he has a wife and children, while his single female co-worker, who may be far more qualified and able to dedicate more time and attention to the company, is overlooked. But why is this? Married people among the middle class often signal stability, trust, and maturity, whereas wealthy couples usually marry because stability already exists.
Another thing to consider is that wealthy couples often do not fear marriage, the costs associated with it, or even walking away from it after a multi-million-dollar wedding because they have likely structured their lives and assets assuming the marriage could fail one day. Wealth can make divorce emotionally easier in some ways when legal teams exist, separate homes are affordable, childcare is supported, and reputation management teams help control public perception. Let’s not forget the financial benefits of a lavish wedding either. It can function as a media event, garner sponsorships from high-end brands, and create networking opportunities for the elite.
This also helps with image reinforcement and status signaling. Both Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence having their children marry, and are now grandparents, is a great look for both of their public images. While the financial value may not appear immediately, it can emerge later when film contracts are negotiated and agents sit down with executives to position their clients for projects that may not have originally been intended for them. This kind of publicity generates leverage, and leverage is profitable.
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It is no coincidence that People Magazine shares wedding updates and photographs of the celebrities audiences know and love. It is less about “keeping the public updated” and more about brand reputation and social currency. Even when these marriages end quickly or result in messy divorces, it does not always negatively impact either party long term. Brad Pitt, despite court documents detailing allegations involving physical altercations with his children and ex-wife Angelina Jolie, was still reportedly paid $30 million for his role in F1: The Movie.
The institution of marriage has historically been designed to merge fortunes, preserve bloodlines, expand land ownership, protect class status, unite kingdoms, gain political access, and double public attention. Families like Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild are examples often associated with status preservation through marriage. This is where phrases like “She married well” or “He’s from a good family” originate.
Modern society teaches two competing ideas at the same time: that marriage is about love and emotional fulfillment, and that marriage is also a legal, financial, and social institution. Both are true. So when do rich people decide to get married? Historically, marriage was tied to economics and power long before it became heavily romanticized by modern culture. For many wealthy people, stability determines when marriage becomes the next step, not love alone.
Image Credit: Photo by Ana Carballosa/Lionsgate/Ana Carballosa/Lionsgate - © 2021 Lionsgate
Danielle Wright covers partnerships, focusing on brand alignment, strategic collaboration, and the business of visibility. Her work explores how meaningful partnerships are formed and sustained, offering insight into the relationships that drive growth, influence, and long-term positioning.
