The big business of wedding singers!

After freaking out more than once about our wedding budget, after reading this story, I’m very glad we chose a local Newcastle band for our wedding!

From SMH.com.au:

The Rolling Stones charge £5 million ($9.8 million) to perform at weddings.

The ageing rockers – made up of frontman Sir Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood – have been named the world’s most expensive wedding act, ahead of Sir Elton John and Kylie Minogue who only demand £2 million ($3.9 million) to play at nuptials.

In 2002 the Sympathy for the Devil hitmakers – who refuse to perform private shows unless they are already on tour – charged the enormous sum to play a 90-minute set at a lavish party in the US.

Candle in the Wind singer Elton scooped £1.5 million ($3.9 million) in 2001 after singing along to his piano for a private bash.

However, the pop icon donates all earnings from private concerts to his charity, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, rather than pocketing the huge sums.

In the poll – commissioned by Living TV’s Four Weddings series, which airs on Mondays in the UK – US songstress Christina Aguilera was named the fourth priciest performer at £1.5 million a show while British pop star George Michael bags £1.3 million ($2.54 million) for a private concert.

Troubled Rehab starlet Amy Winehouse, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, X Factor winner Leona Lewis and US star Jennifer Lopez can each demand £1 million ($1.96 million) for a post-nuptials performance.

The world’s 12 most expensive wedding performers, according to Living TV:

1. The Rolling Stones (up to £5 million )

2. Sir Elton John (up to £2 million)

- Kylie Minogue (up to £2 million)

4. Christina Aguilera (up to £1.5 million)

5. George Michael (£1.3 million)

6. Amy Winehouse (£1 million)

- Sir Paul McCartney (£1 million)

- Leona Lewis (£1 million)

- Jennifer Lopez (£1 million)

10. Barry Manilow (£750,000)

11. Rod Stewart (£600,000)

12. Duran Duran (£500,000)