Kim Kardashian to earn 18m from wedding

Kim Kardashian will reportedly earn up to $18 million from her wedding.

The reality TV star's marriage to basketball ace Kris Humphries took place on Saturday (20.08.11) in Montecito, California, and while no expense was spared on nuptials and the 440 guests, the couple are said to be netting a huge sum from their big day.

The wedding was filmed for a four-hour, two part TV special to be shown by E!, for which the New York Post newspaper claims they will receive between $12 and $15 million.

People magazine is believed to have paid $2.5 million for the exclusive rights to the happy couple's wedding photos and a further $300,000 for the engagement shots, while Britain's OK magazine is said to have paid $100,000 for exclusive pictures of the bridal shower.

The couple were also able to use their celebrity and the media exposure of the wedding to help get discounts on goods for the wedding too.

Los Angeles based celebrity event planner Tony Schubert said: "It benefits the vendors, their goods and services to be shown to millions of people."

Among the free items the couple reportedly received for the wedding were the three Vera Wang dresses Kim wore during the ceremony and reception, worth $20,000 each, $400,000 in Perrier Jouet Champagne, and $10,000 worth of wedding invitations.

They were also said to have been gifted their 10 layer wedding cake from Hansen's Bakery - which at six feet tall towered over Kim - thought to be worth $15,000.

Kim and Kris are set to continue their wedding celebrations, with a second ceremony planned for New York early next week.

Despite all of the talk of money, the wedding day had many priceless touching moments, particularly the entrance of 21-month old ring bearer, Mason, the son of Kim's sister Kourtney.

Guest Kathie Lee Gifford said: "If it's possible to steal the thunder from Kim Kardashian Humphries, it was Mason. He was just the cutest thing. It just reminded me of the study in contrast.

"It was typically Kardashian, over-the-top, crazy, but ultimately it comes down to family."