Met Gala 2025: From no garlic, no selfies, to hefty ticket prices, surprising rules for celebrities to follow

Every Met Gala outfit must receive the green light from none other than Anna Wintour herself. In fact, the fashion world has coined a term for it: AWOK, short for Anna Wintour Okay. Without her stamp of approval, even the most glamorous ensembles won’t make it to the red carpet.

Despite being invite-only, the Met Gala comes with a hefty price tag. In 2024, individual tickets were reportedly priced at $75,000 (over 60,00,000), while reserving a table could cost up to $350,000. Usually, high-end fashion houses foot the bill in return for the spotlight their designs get on the star-studded red carpet.

At the Met Gala, guests don’t get to pick their seats. The seating plan is meticulously crafted over months, focusing on social dynamics. Couples are often separated to promote networking, ensuring the evening flows as smoothly as the fashion.

Phones are strictly off-limits once inside the Met Gala. Even though many guests are social media powerhouses, they’re not allowed to post anything from the exclusive dinner, exhibition walkthrough, or live performances. However, rebellious bathroom mirror selfies still manage to find their way online, courtesy of a few daring rule-breakers.

Lighting up indoors is a big no at the Met Gala. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the museum, not only for health reasons but to safeguard the priceless fashion exhibits. In fact, curator Andrew Bolton once revealed that smoking in the galleries is a surefire way to lose your invite for good.

The Met Gala dinner is designed with close-up photos and fresh breath-in mind. Ingredients like garlic, onion, and parsley are strictly off the table to prevent bad breath and avoid any stray greens stuck in teeth. Messy dishes such as bruschetta are also banned to protect the couture gowns from unsightly spills.