Once again, the Kardashians have proved they can spin gold into … well, lots more gold.
Estimates place the Montecito nuptials Saturday night of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries as costing the reality-show family anywhere from $500,000 (the Hollywood Reporter) to $10 million (the New York Post).
Even at the higher figure, though, the Kardashian/Humphries union made a killing. The couple could end up raking in a profit of around $18 million for their wedding.
The biggest ticket item: $15 million for a four-hour, two-part E! Entertainment wedding special, "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event," produced by Ryan Seacrest to air in October.
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Then there's the $2.5 million People magazine is paying for exclusive photos, expected to hit news stands for a September 5 issue.
Then there are the freebies. In exchange for publicity, the couple made deals that would shame NASCAR (or "American Idol"). The 30-year-old bride wore a comped $20,000 Vera Wang gown — which the New York Post reports was just one among the three dresses she received from the designer.
There was also a $10,000 black and white wedding cake from Hansen’s Bakery in Los Angeles, $400,000 in Perrier Jouet Champagne, $10,000 in Lehr & Black wedding invitations — all complementary.
And the party isn’t over for Kim and Kris — the couple will be holding another Aug. 31 reception in New York, co-hosted by Jason Binn, founder of Niche Media and Colin Cowie, notable wedding planner.
With many media outlets rolling their eyes at the whole affair, a Montecito resident who bombed Kardashian coverage might best embody who many of us are feeling about the wedding proceedings: