CBS News/ August 22, 2011, 11:36 AM

Did Kardashian turn a profit on her wedding?

When reality TV star Kim Kardashian and New Jersey Nets player Kris Humphries tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony at an estate in Montecito, Calif. this weekend, it was all about the Benjamins. And while most couples end up in debt, this couple may have been seeing green.

The thirty year-old-bride was flawless in a strapless Vera Wang gown. A tight bodice and full tool skirt accented her waist. A head piece of diamonds dripping on her forehead and an epic train.

Pictures: Kim Kardashian's fairytale wedding
Kim Kardashian's wedding details revealed

Pictures: Kim Kardashian


Pictures: Celebrity weddings

"Entertainment Tonight" got exclusive video inside the ceremony as Bruce Jenner walked Kim down the black and white aisle.

Which A-listers were in attendance? "ET" cameras spotted Dina Lohan, Brody Jenner with girlfriend Avril Lavigne and Fox News' Greta Van Susteren.

Also on hand was Serena Williams. A few rows ahead of her was Kathy Lee Gifford and then, in black, Eva Longoria and boyfriend Eduardo Cruz.

"ET's" Samantha Harris tells "Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge, "I ran into Bruce Jenner here in the lobby just hours before he was supposed to walk Kim down the aisle, and he told me wasn't nervous. He figured he has a little bit of an athletic background and she should be able to get her down the aisle in one piece."

The father of the bride left for the wedding site in a black Rolls Royce, shortly after the husband of Kim sister, Khloe -- NBA player Lamar Odom -- took off eating a bag of chips.

"Well, the wedding was everything you'd expect it to be," Gifford gushed. "It was spectacular. It was glamorous beyond belief. And everybody was just walking around ooh'ing and ahh'ing, saying. 'This is unbelievable,' and it was. The best thing about it was little Mason (the ring bearer, son of Kim sister Kourtney) stole the ceremony."

"It's top notch, absolutely it was our American Royal Wedding," said comedian/actor George Lopez.

Kim's wedding was anything but small, private and understated.

So did it all live up to the hype as the Hollywood wedding of the year?

"Well, I know Chris Jenner and the PR team put out that vibe, and they didn't disappoint," E!'s Harris said. "It was elaborate, it was lavish, it had 440 guests, so definitely small by no means - and had a smattering of celebrity throughout."

They're expected to rake in $18 million by selling off the TV and the photo rights. Is that an accurate number?

"Rumors are definitely flying out there, and millions and millions of dollars are being talked about. Now, most people go into debt after a wedding. I think it is safe to say the Kardashians will end up in the plus column to some degree," she adds.

What did Harris think about the ceremony itself, all of the stars and celebrities who showed up, the pomp, the circumstance, the TV coverage -- was it a little bit much?

"It definitely was everything that the Kardashians wanted it to be, in the sense that they wanted it to be part of American craziness and focus," she said. "Everyone was really excited to see what Kim would look like, just like they were for Kate Middleton. Of course, early on, Kim said she wanted this to be her royal wedding. That was sort of the language put out by the Jenner/Kardashian PR machine, and became the reality as everyone talked it up. Whether or not it was on the par of the royal wedding, come on, they're not royalty, but...

"Wait, they're not royalty? Wait a second," Wragge joked.

"I know, I know this comes as a shock. But you no know what? They are a part of the American culture. The Kardashians are loved by so many; audiences have been taken by them as they have invited audiences into their home through their reality show, through weddings, births, and so they definitely did come through on this. Three costume changes of sorts with Kim in all her gowns."

The Kardashians really pulled out all the stops - even Earth, Wind and Fire was the band playing.

E! is making Kim's wedding into a 4-hour, 2 night special called "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event," which is set for 8 p.m. ET/PT Oct. 9, with the second part at 9 p.m. ET/PT Oct. 10.

© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
12 Comments Add a Comment
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cktirumalai says:
Celebrities who have a quiet private wedding without thinking of making money out of (free) publicity are rare. One wonders if there are any.
Candadai Tirumalai
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Autumntrails says:
BEST COMMENT GOES TO...
patilee3 August 22, 2011 1:55 PM EDT
"that family doesn't use the toilet without looking for a profit."

But we know there are enough celebrity wanta be's that will be tuning in and upping the K's cash bank roll.
I would not call Kim or her sisters stupid, they know how to market, kiss@ss and rake in the cash. It is her fans I'd call stupid.
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NCsatin says:
I think the whole thing is ridulous.. They have so much money and then going to make millions on the wedding. So many people homeless and hungry. Shame on you two.
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tx_doughboy says:
I wonder how much she is going to make off the divorce and 2nd marriage?
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guyfrompa46 says:
Only in America can have zero talent and be one of the most annoying people on the planet and make millions off of the losers that watch this crap. We're doomed.
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RealiteBites says:
This family with their conspicuous consumption are absolutely nauseating.

The guy seems sweet, but I heard after he proposed, Kim started wearing the engagement ring she bought herself years ago because it had a bigger rock.

Because he couldn't afford to buy her one that large with his salary, which is large by the rest of our standards, but not the Kardashians.

Doesn't sound like a good recipe for marriage to me.

Oh well ... I only comment on this family because there's no getting away from them ... I wish they'd disappear out of the public spotlight. On the bright side, it seems like Paris Hilton's 15 minutes might be about up :))
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patilee3 says:
that family doesn't use the toilet without looking for a profit.
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beezus2 says:
What a great society we have created. Children go hungry, families are forced to live in their cars, seniors go without meds they can't afford and with no health insurance, cancer victims put off going to the doctor, sometimes causing them to lose their lives. And this wedding is worth millions? I agree with livedwell.
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venicementor says:
"A tight bodice and full tool skirt accented her waist. " A tool must have written this column. What the hell you guys, hire someone who knows how to spell and has some awareness. Don't you guys check your information any longer, what happened to editors and proof readers? And.....yes, you are supposed to know better and yes.....it matters.
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askfirst says:
I stopped reading this article because of numerous spelling and grammar mistakes. Please proofread before submitting to your readers.

tulle NOT tool
headpiece NOT head piece
30-year-old bride NOT 30 year-old-bride
This particular paragraph has incomplete sentences, spelling errors, etc.
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