Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, and Lauren Sanchez, a former journalist, kicked off their opulent wedding festivities in Venice, Italy, on June 26, 2025, with a star-studded event at the Madonna dell’Orto church, attended by around 200 guests, including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The three-day celebration, costing between $46.5 and $55.6 million, takes over iconic venues like San Giorgio Maggiore’s Cini Foundation, boosting Venice’s economy by $23.4 to $35.1 million. Running through Saturday, the event emphasizes secrecy, with minimal social media posts from guests and heightened security to counter protests from groups like Extinction Rebellion. Though not legally binding in Italy, the ceremonial union marks the couple’s two-year engagement with grandeur.
The festivities began with a reception at the 14th-century church, home to Tintoretto’s artworks, with Venice authorities restricting pedestrian access for privacy. Guests adhered to a social media blackout, sharing only glimpses of the city’s stormy weather.
- Cost: $46.5 to $55.6 million for the three-day event.
- Guests: Approximately 200, including global celebrities and business tycoons.
- Economic boost: $23.4 to $35.1 million for Venice’s businesses.
The event’s secrecy and high-profile guest list have sparked widespread interest, amplified by the couple’s choice of luxurious Venetian settings.
Venice as the wedding backdrop
The wedding unfolds across Venice’s iconic landmarks, with the Cini Foundation on San Giorgio Maggiore island slated as the main venue for the Friday, June 27, event. Known for hosting cultural events, the foundation offers a historic setting for the couple’s celebration.
Logistics involve 30 elite water taxis, reserved from June 25 to 30, and gondolas secured for guests. Local suppliers, including Rosa Salva, Venice’s oldest pastry shop, and Laguna B’s Murano glassware, provide 80% of the event’s provisions. Protests from groups like No Space for Bezos prompted a venue change, moving one event to a former shipyard on the city’s outskirts to avoid canal blockades.
Security measures include restricted access around Madonna dell’Orto and increased police presence at San Giorgio Maggiore. The city’s tourism councillor, Simone Venturini, noted the economic benefits, with hotels, restaurants, and transport services seeing a surge in demand.
A-list guest roster
The guest list features a who’s who of entertainment and business. Kim Kardashian arrived with Kris and Khloe Jenner, spotted at the Gritti Palace Hotel, while Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio were seen boarding water taxis. Bill Gates, accompanied by Paula Hurd, and Tom Brady also attended, alongside Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who shared a post about the “Dolce Vita” experience.
Other notable guests include Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Sydney Sweeney, and Usher, with his wife Jennifer Goicoechea capturing moments on a boat taxi. The presence of such high-profile figures, ferried through Venice’s canals, has drawn global media attention.
Fashion spotlight
Fashion plays a central role in the festivities. Lauren Sanchez wore a shimmering Schiaparelli couture corset dress on Thursday and a vintage Alexander McQueen gown on Wednesday. Speculation surrounds her wedding dress, with Dolce & Gabbana favored due to Domenico Dolce’s presence in Venice, though Oscar de la Renta is also a contender.
Guests showcased designer looks: Ivanka Trump in a cherry blossom Oscar de la Renta dress, Karlie Kloss in a Stella McCartney gown, and Kim Kardashian in a 1994 Versace snakeskin dress. Khloe Jenner wore a Skims x Dolce & Gabbana catsuit, while Sydney Sweeney opted for a Chloé silk jumpsuit.
- Designers featured: Schiaparelli, Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Versace.
- Sanchez’s style: Blends vintage and couture pieces.
- Guest fashion: Includes Stella McCartney, Chloé, and archival designs.
- Dolce’s presence: Spotted at Riva Lounge, hinting at involvement.
The sartorial choices elevate the event’s glamour, with each outfit meticulously chosen to match Venice’s grandeur.
Economic impact on Venice
The wedding injects $23.4 to $35.1 million into Venice’s economy, with hotels like the Gritti Palace and Aman fully booked. Local businesses, from restaurants to water taxi services, report record demand. The Rosa Salva pastry shop supplies traditional Venetian sweets, while Laguna B provides bespoke Murano glass gifts for guests.
Super yachts, docked along the Grand Canal since June 24, add to the economic surge. The city’s gondola association confirmed exclusive bookings for the event, with 30 of 280 water taxis reserved. The influx supports Venice’s tourism sector, a key economic driver.
Protests and security measures
Environmental groups like Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace have protested the event’s scale. On June 23, Greenpeace displayed a banner in St. Mark’s Square reading, “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more taxes.” The group No Space for Bezos threatened canal blockades, prompting organizers to relocate one event to a peripheral shipyard.
Venice authorities responded with heightened security, closing off areas around key venues. The Madonna dell’Orto church saw restricted pedestrian access on Thursday, and police patrols increased around San Giorgio Maggiore to ensure the event’s smooth execution.
Bezos and Sanchez’s journey
Jeff Bezos, 61, with a net worth of $240 billion, and Lauren Sanchez, 55, a former journalist turned philanthropist, began their relationship in 2019 and got engaged in 2023. Sanchez’s bachelorette party, held on May 16 in Paris, featured a Seine River cruise with Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and Eva Longoria.
The couple chose Venice for its romantic and historic allure, following their appearances at high-profile events like the 2024 Met Gala. Their wedding reflects their status, with meticulous planning to balance extravagance and local integration.
Event planning and logistics
The wedding, orchestrated by Lanza and Baucina, who planned George Clooney’s 2014 Venetian wedding, emphasizes minimal disruption to the city. The team sourced 80% of supplies locally, from floral arrangements to catering, ensuring authenticity.
The main event at the Cini Foundation features elaborate decor, kept under wraps to maintain secrecy. Guests were instructed to limit social media posts, resulting in sparse online coverage despite the event’s scale. Water taxis and gondolas ferry attendees between venues, with schedules adjusted to avoid protest disruptions.
Venice’s wedding legacy
Venice has long hosted celebrity weddings, including Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault in 2009, George and Amal Clooney in 2014, and Alexandre Arnault and Géraldine Guyot in 2021. The Madonna dell’Orto church and Cini Foundation, with their historic significance, add prestige to the Bezos-Sanchez event.
The city’s canals and architecture make it a sought-after destination, though the high cost and public space usage spark debates. The economic boost often outweighs criticisms, as seen with the millions generated by this wedding.
Ceremony details
The main ceremony, set for Friday, June 27, is ceremonial, as Venice’s mayor’s office received no formal request for a legal marriage. The couple likely formalized their union in the US beforehand. The three-day festivities include receptions, boat tours, and exclusive dinners, with Saturday’s events closing the celebration.
The secrecy around the schedule and venues, coupled with the social media blackout, keeps details limited to sightings of guests and brief posts, like Ivanka Trump’s Instagram update. The event’s grandeur, however, ensures it remains a focal point of global interest.
