Link (Archive)
Each year, the guest list is approved by Vogue's editor in chief, Anna Wintour, but attendance requires more than an invitation — there's also a hefty entry fee.
The New York Times reported that individual tickets for the 2025 Met Gala, a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, cost $75,000, and tables for 10 people start at $350,000.
However, celebrities are usually not the ones paying this price. Tables are generally purchased by design houses, brands, or companies, who then choose the guests they'd like to invite to the table, which requires approval from Wintour.
So, while only a select group of elite people experience the grandeur of the Met Gala, the rest of us are left to wonder what that entails.
Of course, there's the famed red carpet and the over-the-top fashion, but here's a peek inside the Met's walls — the cocktails, menus, exhibits, and exclusive performances attendees get to witness.
Amy Odell, the author of "Anna: The Biography," told Time in 2024 that an invitation was a "really huge signifier that you are 'in.'"
Eaddy Kiernan, Vogue's contributing editor and Met Gala organizer, told Vogue in 2024 that the seating chart started getting prepped in December but ultimately came together a month before the event.
"We really try to think very carefully about who's sitting next to each other," Kiernan said. "Our ideal pairing would maybe be two people who we think will just get on like a house on fire, but who may not even realize that they have a lot in common. So with each person, we really do take time to think, 'What will they talk about?'"
Such access and quality seating have the potential to yield incredible business outcomes.
Here's Blake Lively at the 2018 Met Gala, which was themed "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Guests of the 2019 Met Gala could enjoy "crispy sea bass hors d'oeuvres, bits of foie gras, or mini-BLT towers," The Associated Press reported.
Here's a tray of one of the signature cocktails served at the 2023 gala.
The 2021 exhibit was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art said this exhibit included about 100 men's and women's ensembles from the 1940s to the present, each displayed in cases representing 3D quilt patches. The exhibit was organized into 12 sections, exploring emotions such as joy, wonder, desire, and nostalgia.
In accordance with 2024's theme, "Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion," the tablescape was inspired by children's storybooks that "felt a bit romantic and ethereal," according to caterer Olivier Cheng.
"Drawing on inspiration from the lush gardens and palaces of Sleeping Beauty's fantasy world, we really aimed to build our own bite-sized fairytale," he told Vogue.
Drawing on the night's magical theme, the menu featured a "spring vegetable salad with elderflower foam, raspberry vinaigrette, and olive crumble that resembles soil, complete with butterfly-shaped croutons," inspired by Sleeping Beauty's reawakening.
The night's main course was a "filet of beef topped with a tortellini rose" designed to resemble fantastical castles.
The tables at the event were decorated with "English ivy, candelabras, and lettuce plates," and dark burgundy roses in floral centerpieces.
For the dessert, Cheng said he drew inspiration from Snow White's emblematic apple, which he turned into an "almond cremeux molded into the shape of a miniature apple, blanketed with a bright red mirror glaze."
Dessert was gold-dusted truffles, chocolate-dipped cape gooseberries, and an amaretto Semifreddo cone topped with a gold pearl, Vogue reported.
Bieber's denim-on-denim outfit was more Canadian tuxedo than "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," but we'd still love to know how the room reacted to his performance.
The tradition of Met Gala performances started in 2010, when Lady Gaga sang "Bad Romance" as part of the year's "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" exhibit.
Other notable performances include Frank Ocean's "Super Rich Kids" in 2014 and Madonna's "Like a Prayer" in 2018, per The Cut.
Vogue reported that she performed some of her hits, such as "Into You," "Seven Rings," and "We Can't Be Friends." She also performed a rendition of the Disney song "Once Upon a Dream" from "Sleeping Beauty," paying homage to the gala's theme.
Her performance ended with a guest appearance from her "Wicked" costar, Cynthia Erivo.
Here are the rappers Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and Doja Cat striking a pose in 2023.
The Met Gala started hosting its annual after-party in 2010.
Celebrities often change into different looks before hitting another round of red carpets and events.
Richie Akiva hosted the 2024 after-party.
Met Gala tickets, which are invite-only, cost $75,000. Here's what that gets attendees.
- The Met Gala is famously exclusive.
- In 2025, individual tickets cost $75,000, while entire tables cost $350,000.
- Guests are treated to a cocktail hour, dinner, and exclusive performances.
Each year, the guest list is approved by Vogue's editor in chief, Anna Wintour, but attendance requires more than an invitation — there's also a hefty entry fee.
The New York Times reported that individual tickets for the 2025 Met Gala, a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, cost $75,000, and tables for 10 people start at $350,000.
However, celebrities are usually not the ones paying this price. Tables are generally purchased by design houses, brands, or companies, who then choose the guests they'd like to invite to the table, which requires approval from Wintour.
So, while only a select group of elite people experience the grandeur of the Met Gala, the rest of us are left to wonder what that entails.
Of course, there's the famed red carpet and the over-the-top fashion, but here's a peek inside the Met's walls — the cocktails, menus, exhibits, and exclusive performances attendees get to witness.
A ticket grants you the most important thing of all: access.
There once was a time when even Kim Kardashiancouldn't get an invite to the Met Gala.Amy Odell, the author of "Anna: The Biography," told Time in 2024 that an invitation was a "really huge signifier that you are 'in.'"
Eaddy Kiernan, Vogue's contributing editor and Met Gala organizer, told Vogue in 2024 that the seating chart started getting prepped in December but ultimately came together a month before the event.
"We really try to think very carefully about who's sitting next to each other," Kiernan said. "Our ideal pairing would maybe be two people who we think will just get on like a house on fire, but who may not even realize that they have a lot in common. So with each person, we really do take time to think, 'What will they talk about?'"
Such access and quality seating have the potential to yield incredible business outcomes.
With access secured, attendees walk the red carpet in outfits meticulously planned according to the dress code and theme.
Here's Blake Lively at the 2018 Met Gala, which was themed "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Once inside, they mingle during cocktail hour.
Guests of the 2019 Met Gala could enjoy "crispy sea bass hors d'oeuvres, bits of foie gras, or mini-BLT towers," The Associated Press reported.
And, of course, it wouldn't be cocktail hour without the drinks.
Here's a tray of one of the signature cocktails served at the 2023 gala.
Guests also have the opportunity to view the Met's exhibit during cocktail hour.
The 2021 exhibit was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art said this exhibit included about 100 men's and women's ensembles from the 1940s to the present, each displayed in cases representing 3D quilt patches. The exhibit was organized into 12 sections, exploring emotions such as joy, wonder, desire, and nostalgia.
After cocktail hour, guests take their seats for a formal dinner.
In accordance with 2024's theme, "Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion," the tablescape was inspired by children's storybooks that "felt a bit romantic and ethereal," according to caterer Olivier Cheng.
"Drawing on inspiration from the lush gardens and palaces of Sleeping Beauty's fantasy world, we really aimed to build our own bite-sized fairytale," he told Vogue.
Drawing on the night's magical theme, the menu featured a "spring vegetable salad with elderflower foam, raspberry vinaigrette, and olive crumble that resembles soil, complete with butterfly-shaped croutons," inspired by Sleeping Beauty's reawakening.
The night's main course was a "filet of beef topped with a tortellini rose" designed to resemble fantastical castles.
The tables at the event were decorated with "English ivy, candelabras, and lettuce plates," and dark burgundy roses in floral centerpieces.
For the dessert, Cheng said he drew inspiration from Snow White's emblematic apple, which he turned into an "almond cremeux molded into the shape of a miniature apple, blanketed with a bright red mirror glaze."
The menu in 2018 included cacio e pepe pasta, baby lamb chops, lobster, and branzino.
Dessert was gold-dusted truffles, chocolate-dipped cape gooseberries, and an amaretto Semifreddo cone topped with a gold pearl, Vogue reported.
Surprise performances are also a key feature of the night.
Bieber's denim-on-denim outfit was more Canadian tuxedo than "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," but we'd still love to know how the room reacted to his performance.
The tradition of Met Gala performances started in 2010, when Lady Gaga sang "Bad Romance" as part of the year's "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" exhibit.
Other notable performances include Frank Ocean's "Super Rich Kids" in 2014 and Madonna's "Like a Prayer" in 2018, per The Cut.
Ariana Grande was the latest Met Gala performer.
Vogue reported that she performed some of her hits, such as "Into You," "Seven Rings," and "We Can't Be Friends." She also performed a rendition of the Disney song "Once Upon a Dream" from "Sleeping Beauty," paying homage to the gala's theme.
Her performance ended with a guest appearance from her "Wicked" costar, Cynthia Erivo.
Don't worry, attendees still have plenty of time to party.
Here are the rappers Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and Doja Cat striking a pose in 2023.
For those who can't get enough of the fun, there's an annual after-party.
The Met Gala started hosting its annual after-party in 2010.
Celebrities often change into different looks before hitting another round of red carpets and events.
Richie Akiva hosted the 2024 after-party.
