By Emeka Blast 
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Tie the Knot in Extravagant Venice Wedding
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the world’s fourth-richest man, and former TV journalist Lauren Sánchez tied the knot on Friday, June 27, in a spectacular three-day wedding extravaganza in Venice, Italy. The star-studded event, held on the picturesque island of San Giorgio Maggiore, drew approximately 200 high-profile guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Ivanka Trump, despite protests from local activists decrying the city’s use as a billionaire’s playground.
The couple, engaged since May 2023 aboard Bezos’ $500 million superyacht Koru, arrived in Venice on Wednesday, June 25, and kicked off festivities with a glamorous welcome dinner near the Madonna dell’Orto church on Thursday. Sánchez, 55, dazzled in a Schiaparelli couture gold corset dress with floral embroidery, while Bezos, 61, exuded charm in a classic black tuxedo. The main ceremony on Friday saw Sánchez in a breathtaking Dolce & Gabbana lace mermaid gown, which took 900 hours to craft, featuring 180 silk chiffon-covered buttons. “I feel like a princess,” Sánchez told Vogue, which had exclusive access to the event.
Guests, ferried by water taxis and gondolas, included Hollywood elite like Orlando Bloom, Kris Jenner, and Tom Brady, alongside business titans like Barry Diller and fashion icons like Domenico Dolce. Matteo Bocelli performed Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to open the ceremony, adding to the romantic ambiance. The couple’s wedding invitation, adorned with gondolas and butterflies, requested no gifts, with Bezos and Sánchez instead donating €3 million to Venetian institutions, including the Corila Consortium, UNESCO’s local office, and Venice International University, on behalf of their guests.
The event, estimated to cost €40-48 million ($46.5-55.6 million), utilized 80% local vendors, such as Rosa Salva, Venice’s oldest pastry maker, and Laguna B, known for Murano glassware. Venice’s tourism councillor, Simone Venturini, estimated an economic boost of €20-30 million for the city, while Italy’s tourism ministry projected a €957 million impact from media visibility. However, the lavish affair sparked controversy, with activists from the “No Space for Bezos” campaign protesting overtourism and wealth disparity. Banners reading “If You Can Rent Venice for Your Wedding, You Can Pay More Tax” adorned St. Mark’s Square, and some locals threatened to disrupt the canals with inflatable crocodiles. In response, the couple moved Saturday’s reception to the more secluded Arsenale, a former shipyard.
Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, defended the wedding, calling it a prestigious event that highlights the city’s allure, while condemning protesters as “shameful.” Despite the backlash, local businesses welcomed the influx, with luxury hotels like Aman Venice, Gritti Palace, and Hotel Cipriani fully booked. The couple’s planners, Lanza and Baucina, who also organized George and Amal Clooney’s 2014 Venice wedding, ensured minimal disruption, with only 30 of the city’s 280 water taxis reserved.
Bezos and Sánchez, both previously married—Bezos to MacKenzie Scott until 2019, and Sánchez to Patrick Whitesell until 2019—merged their families, with their seven children from prior relationships in attendance. Sánchez’s ex, Tony Gonzalez, and their son Nikko were also present. The couple, who went public in 2019, celebrated with a foam party on their yacht prior to the wedding, showcasing their flair for extravagance.
As Venice glittered under the global spotlight, the Bezos-Sánchez nuptials underscored both the city’s timeless charm and its struggles with overtourism, leaving a legacy of romance, controversy, and economic impact.
