By Asmita - Jan 25, 2025
Donald and Melania Trump's star-studded 2005 wedding at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach, Florida, included 350 guests and featured a lavish ceremony and reception at Mar-a-Lago costing about $2.5 million. The event brought together high-profile figures from entertainment and politics, with notable attendees like the Clintons, Barbara Walters, and more. Melania's custom Dior gown with diamonds and pearls and the Versailles-inspired reception were highlights of the extravagant celebration.
Andrea Hanks via Flickr
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Donald and Melania Trump's star-studded wedding revealed: 350 guests, $2.5M celebration, and unexpected political connections in 2005. On January 22, 2005, Donald Trump and Melania Knauss exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. The wedding was an extraordinary event that brought together 350 high-profile guests, creating a remarkable social spectacle. The bride wore a stunning custom Dior gown that took over 500 hours to create, adorned with 1,500 diamonds and pearls, and weighing an impressive 60 pounds. Their love story began in 1998 when they first met at a New York Fashion Week party, with Melania initially playing hard to get by challenging Trump to provide his contact numbers.
The wedding reception at Mar-a-Lago was nothing short of spectacular, with the $35 million Grand Ballroom transformed into a Versailles-inspired venue. The space was adorned with 10,000 flowers, featuring cream and gold accents and matching tableware. Guests were treated to a luxurious feast of caviar and tenderloin, accompanied by Cristal champagne, while being entertained by the Michael Rose Orchestra. The guest list read like a who's who of entertainment and politics, including unexpected attendees like Hillary and Bill Clinton, Barbara Walters, Rudy Giuliani, Katie Couric, and Simon Cowell.
The wedding guest list was a fascinating mix of celebrities, media personalities, and political figures. Notable attendees included Tony Bennett, Richard Branson, Heidi Klum, Billy Joel, Kathy Lee Gifford, and Shaquille O'Neal. Wedding planner Preston Bailey noted the unique atmosphere, describing it as a "party, party, party" event where "everybody seemed to know each other". The most ironic guest was perhaps Hillary Clinton, Trump's 2016 presidential opponent, who attended with her husband Bill Clinton.
Twenty years later, Donald and Melania Trump celebrated their anniversary by moving back into the White House, marking a significant moment in their personal and political journey. The wedding, which cost an estimated $2.5 million, included a $1.5 million engagement ring and a $50,000 wedding cake. Their honeymoon was unconventional, with the couple choosing to stay at Mar-a-Lago instead of traveling. Donald Trump celebrated the anniversary by posting a tribute on social media, calling Melania an "extraordinary wife and wonderful mother". Their relationship, which began with a chance meeting in 1998, has evolved through multiple personal and political transformations.