It turns out that if you want to have a $10 million wedding Lord of the Rings style, you need to clear it get permission before you start building fake cottages and waterfalls. Napster co-founder Sean Parker has learned that the hard way, agreeing to pay the California Coastal Commission a $2.5 million settlement for building without a permit.
As we reported before the wedding, the lavish $10 million affair included elaborate sets that made it look like a movie was being made. Parker even hired Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings costume designer Ngila Dickson to design Game of Thrones-style outfits for him and his guests.
The wedding in Big Sur went on without incident. Parker married his longtime fiance Alexandra Lenas with 300 guests that included Emma Watson, Sting and Olivia Munn.
With all the construction that went on before the wedding at the Ventana Inn & Spa, neighbors began complaining and alerted the California Coastal Commission, reports The Associated Press. The commission has to approve all construction in the area, since it is surrounded by a very sensitive environment. It is still working on a settlement with Vantana, but Parker has already agreed to pay $2.5 million for coastal conservation.
“Mr. Parker has been extremely cooperative and actively involved in working with Coastal Commission staff to reach this resolution which both addresses our Coastal Act concerns and will result in greater coastal access and conservation in the Big Sur and Monterey Peninsula areas," Charles Lester, the commission's executive director, stated.
Parker was famously played by Justin Timberlake in The Social Network and was the first president of Facebook. He’s currently a major investor in Spotify.