A $1 MILLION-PLUS MARRIAGE IS JUST ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE WEDDINGS—DOES VEGAS HOLD THE RECORD?

The easiest assignment was getting a live elephant, and that only cost the groom a mere $5,000! But when they tallied up all the other expenses the wedding at the

exclusive and private Stirling Club in the Turnberry resort complex opposite the Las Vegas Hilton ran well over $1 million! For entrepreneur Deepak Nath it was a case of

“money no object” when he married his bride Sara Hlavka, a student—with over 660 guests on hand for his grand entrance on a fully decorated elephant as east met west!

Here’s the ching ching of the cash register: wedding dress $12,000, necklace for the ceremony $152,000, jewelry to change for reception $60,000, two-days of entertainment $150,000, food and beverage for over 600 guests $210,000, indoor pyrotechnics $10,000-plus fountain and firework extravaganzas and aerialists, performers, a jazz band and a concert performance by Sukhwinder Singh, the Justin Timberlake of India who flew all the way from Asia to Vegas! There was even a special henna makeup artist for the bride whose washable tattoos cost $5,000! Included in the arrival procession at the Stirling Club was a motorized human boombox complete with DJ twisting the turntables through the speakers!

The altar for the wedding vows was set up in the middle of the swimming pool which had a glass floor placed over it to hold the 21 groomsmen and 11 bridesmaids and let them all feel they were “walking on water.” His gourmet kitchen prepared both Indian and American taste treats along with a “Dream Bar” dessert with coconuts and almonds. That proved so popular the family ordered 100 bars to go home with! Charlie tells me he’ll juggle everything from an intimate wedding for just 25 to a midsized matrimonial meal for up to 80 or a huge 1000 sit-down! He’s provided everything from photo booths to Vegas Showgirls to Rat Pack imitation singers for his wow weddings. “There’s nothing we can’t do or make happen magically—so long as its legal,” he smiled.

A week from next Saturday (July 12) the Enchanted Bridal Affair showcase will be held at the Stirling Club complete with a bridal fashion show, entertainment and Charlie Palmer F&B taste treats, so if you’re planning a wedding bash go check him out.

Incidentally, the elephant arrived on a 65-foot trailer that was too big to fit through the Turnberry gates so traffic had to be stopped along Paradise as it was unloaded and then walked through the gates under its own speed! Deepak mounted the elephant for the one-hour procession along the driveways to the pool where the bride was waiting at the altar.

If you think this was a “Rich & Famous” type segment remember this one doesn’t put the icing on the wedding cake! I went three years ago to a Four Seasons party here in Vegas where a Russian couple celebrated their wedding anniversary in lavish style. The ballroom was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with falling

snowflakes and an ice-rink that set them back a cool $5 million. Oh yes, love is grand, but also rather expensive!

CHER’S NIGHTOUT RESULTS IN ATTACKER BEING CHARGED

After Caesars Palace headliner Cher was repeatedly harassed and grabbed by the waist police officers charged Calvin Houghland with disorderly conduct and public

intoxication. Police said the 36-year-old assailant, tried to make contact with Cher, who was sitting in a roped off area in the Tootsie’s nightclub in Nashville at 1 a.m.

yesterday (WED).

Security ordered him to leave, but he returned later and managed to reach past the roped off area and grabbed Cher by the waist. It remained unknown as to why Cher was in Nashville and out late-night in the club. Houghland was immediately escorted out of the nightclub, but returned a third time. He allegedly confronted the Oscar-winning actress-singer in an aggressive manner but security blocked him. Ironically Houghland called police and said he was assaulted! But when police investigated they learned that Houghland actually assaulted Cher when he grabbed her by the waist. The star declined to press charges herself, but then Houghland demanded police arrest him. He admitted to drinking and failed a field sobriety test.

While locked up in jail yesterday his bond was set at $3,000 and a hearing for his court appearance will be set for a future date.

LANCE BURTON SAWS BARBARA WALTERS IN HALF ON NETWORK TV:

She gritted her teeth, shut her eyes, but in the interests of television ratings The View host Barbara Walters still went through with the magic stunt.

She flinched a little as Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton locked her in a box and proceeded to saw her in half yesterday (WED) at the second show taping of the day.

You’ll have to wait until Friday morning’s broadcast to see if she escaped unscathed. Lance took girlfriend Gabriella Versace with him, and The View ladies gave her a

front row seat to watch the trick. It’s the first time ever that the ABC News superstar has become an unwilling magician’s assistant!