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.
Also read: Royal Wedding Review: The Season Finale of 'William & Kate Plus 2 Billion'
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:
