Sermon Illustrations
Ever Wonder How To Spend $1 Billion On A Wedding?
Ever wonder how to spend a $1 billion on a wedding? Hint: include Jennifer Lopez. Last weekend, a couple in Moscow took [the] notion of a lavish wedding ceremony to a whole new level—and to add to the sticker shock, both the newly-married husband and wife are in their twenties.
Khadija Uzhakhova is a 20-year-old college student, and Said Gutseriev is a 28-year-old Russian elite and son of oil and media tycoon Mikhail Gutseriev, who is worth $6.2 billion. The wedding was held at Safisa, a luxury restaurant and banqueting venue that the couple transformed into a fairy-tale setting with walls of freshly-cut flowers and furniture sourced from Paris.
And forget buffet food. The 600 guests at this wedding were served sushi and feasted on a full European meal, which ended with the presentation of a cake taller than the couple. Elie Saab designed the bride's 28-pound custom gown, which is estimated to cost nearly $25,000. And as for entertainment at the ceremony, the couple enlisted Sting and Enrique Iglesias to warm up the stage for none other than Jennifer Lopez (yes, J. Lo!)—who put on a full show for the bride, groom and other lucky attendees.
Still not impressed? The wedding party traveled in a fleet of Rolls Royces, and guests of the ceremony left with their own elaborate jewelry boxes. An official price tag for the wedding isn't available, but Harper's Bazaar estimates it falls within the $1 billion range. We just hope there's a thank you letter to Dad in the mail.
Possible Preaching Angles: 1) This earthly wedding is extravagant, but it is nothing compared the wedding feast of Jesus and his bride the church. 2) The bride of Christ will share in the inheritance of Christ because of his great love for her. 3) The wealthy live in temporary extravagance but one day it will all quickly pass away if they are not rich toward God.