- Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez have kicked off their highly anticipated wedding festivities in Venice, Italy, drawing global attention for both their guest list and the event’s sheer scale.
The three-day celebration, estimated to cost between $46.5 million and $56 million (approximately Rs 388-460 crore), has transformed the historic city into a hub for celebrities, business moguls, and political figures. The couple, engaged since 2023, arrived earlier in the week and checked into the exclusive Aman hotel, with Sánchez reportedly packing 27 outfits for the occasion.
This is Jeff Bezos’s $500 million yacht. Republicans are cutting Americans’ healthcare to give him a tax cut so he can buy a bigger yacht. pic.twitter.com/SxTRaIxqpn
— Piyush Mittal 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇬🇪🇨🇦🟧🌊🌈 (@piyushmittal) June 26, 2025
A-List Guests Descend on the Floating City
The guest list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood and the global elite. Among the first to arrive were Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner with their children, followed by Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Kris Jenner, all making stylish entrances by boat and private jet.
Other notable attendees include Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Bill Gates, Usher, NFL star Tom Brady, and Queen Rania of Jordan. In total, around 200-250 guests are expected, with over 90 private jets reportedly landing at Venice’s Marco Polo airport for the event.
Venice on High Alert Amid Protests
While the celebrations have dazzled onlookers, they have also sparked protests from local activists. The “No Space for Bezos” campaign has criticized the wedding’s extravagance and its impact on the UNESCO World Heritage city, which is already grappling with overtourism and rising costs.
Security has been significantly tightened, with authorities restricting access to key areas and moving some events to less central locations to avoid disruptions. Protesters gathered in St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, celebrating the relocation of some festivities as a victory for local voices.
Historic Venues and Lavish Arrangements
The festivities began on Thursday with a private party at the 14th-century Madonna dell’Orto church, famous for its Tintoretto masterpieces. Security was tight, with police and private guards blocking bridges and monitoring the area. The main wedding ceremony is scheduled for Saturday (28) at an undisclosed location, following a tradition of Venice hosting high-profile weddings for the world’s rich and famous. Private yachts and luxury water taxis have ferried guests between venues, adding to the city’s spectacle.
Personal Touches and Social Media Buzz
Lauren Sánchez has made headlines for her fashion choices, including a vintage Alexander McQueen gown and accessories from Indian luxury brands. The couple’s wedding invitations, reportedly featuring whimsical, Venice-inspired artwork, have also drawn attention for their unique design. Social media has been abuzz with images of celebrity arrivals and glimpses of the festivities, despite the couple’s efforts to keep many details private.
A Second Chance at Love
This wedding marks the second marriage for both Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55. Bezos was previously married to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, while Sánchez’s first marriage was to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell. Their union, celebrated in one of the world’s most romantic cities, has become the talk of the global media—both for its glamour and the debates it has sparked about wealth, celebrity, and the future of iconic destinations like Venice.
