You Won't Believe How Much Money Some People Pay to Attend the Met Gala

There are few yearly spectacles of glamour and prestige that can hold a candle to the Met Gala. Held at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the annual spring event serves to raise money and unveil new exhibitions within the museum's Costume Institute.

Some of the best-known and most stylish A-listers turn out for the event, which is why it's affectionately become known as "fashion's biggest night out." Getting an invite (or not getting an invite) can be very telling about where a star stands in the world of fashion — or at least in the eyes of Anna Wintour.

While the event is technically a fundraiser, many have wondered if celebrities actually pay to attend the Met Gala. And if not, how do they get an invite for free?

The only way to attend the Met Gala for free is to be chosen by a designer who has a table and whose work will be featured at the event. If you're selected, then you'll be dressed by that designer in an outfit which they feel matches the theme — and wearing their design is your ticket in.

The cost of a table at the Met Gala is between $200,000 to $300,000, according to The Evening Standard, meaning a designer will purchase at least one table for that amount and then fill it with celebrities and influencers who they have dressed.

If you're determined to get a seat at a table at any Met Gala event, expect to shell out some serious cash. If you don't have an invite from a designer, you can reportedly expect to pay around $50,000 for a ticket (up from the previous price of $30,000, per the New York Post) — and even then, it's really hard to secure a spot if you weren't on the original guest list.

According to StyleCaster, the committee for the Met Gala makes a list of names of public figures they believe should be invited. The committee then distributes that list to the various designers who have already purchased tables for the event, suggesting that they dress the celebrities on the list.

Really, it seems that without someone to dress you, it's impossibly hard to get an invite.

Anna Wintour, who has ran the event since 1995, is joined for the 2023 iteration by co-chairs Penélope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, and Roger Federer. La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg, Chloe Fineman, and Emma Chamberlain have been tapped to co-host the 2023 Met Gala, titled "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty."

So, who can we expect see? While many celebs don’t confirm their attendance until the big night, certain A-listers turn up year after year. Paris Hilton, Priyanka Chopra, Rita Ora, Elle Fanning, Florence Pugh, Janelle Monáe, and Amanda Seyfried are confirmed attendees, with more celebrities sharing information about their attendance (or omission) via social media.

To see who does show up for fashion's biggest night, you can stream the 2023 Met Gala on Vogue’s website.