Jeff Bezos' Star-Studded Wedding in Venice: A Lavish Affair Amidst Controversies
Venice to temporarily shut down certain areas for Jeff Bezos' wedding celebration events.
Skip the small talk, let's get straight to it: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are tying the knot in Venice on a secret date, but the floating city is already in a whirlwind. As the couple and the first prominent guests arrive, the city cranks up the security measures.
Venice on Edge: The city is bursting with tourists, but the year's most talked-about wedding has begun under scorching heat. The wedding is between the US billionaire, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and former TV presenter Lauren Sánchez. Both are getting hitched for the second time and have seven children from previous relationships.
The high-profile celebrations with around 200 showbiz and business VIPs are already underway. Concerned about potential protests or attacks, everything is taking place under covert operations.
Venues Off-limits: Several lagoon city venues have been closed off. Nearby the Madonna dell'Orto monastery church, where the first big party is scheduled, no more gondolas or other boats can pass. Later, the surrounding streets will be blocked for pedestrians. Simultaneously, only the wedding party and a vast number of staff are permitted entry.
Luxury Abode: The lovebirds are residing at the pricey hotel "Aman" on the Canal Grande, one of the city's costliest hotels. Their palatial suite, boasting a stunning canal view, costs up to 16,000 euros per night. A tent has been erected in front of the hotel as a visual barrier, but boats brimming with tourists continue to pass by throughout the day. During the peak tourist season, over 100,000 tourists crowd the city in a single day, leaving everyone sweating under the 30-degree heat.
Celebrity Spotting: So far, the super-rich couple has kept a low profile, but when they appear, they wave friendly to the paparazzi and the numerous onlookers. An assortment of prominent guests has arrived, such as Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, actor Orlando Bloom, Kris Jenner, and her daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
It is rumored that guests like Barbra Streisand, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elton John, Bill Gates, Eric Schmidt, Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger, and Matteo Bocelli will also attend. However, there has been no official confirmation from the wedding couple.
Top-Secret Ceremony: The actual wedding ceremony is set to take place on a private island off St. Mark's Square. The couple and their guests can be ferried to the island by water taxis. There have been reports that the couple has reserved more than 30 water taxis.
Security Lockdown: Concerned about attacks due to war in the Middle East and some announced protests, strict security measures are in place. Throughout the city, there is an unusually high police and military presence, with snipers positioned on some rooftops and a drone ban.
The Cost of Extravagance: The wedding has been estimated to cost at least ten million US dollars, with the figure likely to be significantly higher. Despite being one of the wealthiest men in the world with an estimated net worth of around 220 billion dollars, the exorbitant expense won't make much of a dent in Bezos's fortune.
Generous Donations: In light of the wedding, Bezos has donated an additional two million euros to various institutions in Venice, adding to the previous million-euro donation. Furthermore, Bezos and Sánchez have asked their guests to forgo gifts and instead contribute to the restoration of Venice.
Local Resistance: Various protests have been announced under the slogan "No Space for Bezos." Activist groups accuse Mayor Luigi Brugnaro of selling out their city. Anti-millionaire posters have already been displayed.
Tensions Flare-Up: On Thursday, there were scuffles between protesters and security forces on St. Mark's Square. Demonstrators plan to disrupt Bezos's party by deploying inflatable plastic crocodiles in the canals.
In an Enchanted Gala: On Wednesday, Bezos and Sánchez are reported to have attended a gala dinner hosted by fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg with 50 other guests at a luxury restaurant, according to the newspaper "La Repubblica." The menu featured an expensive stew made from rare squid from the Venice lagoon.
Overwhelming Arrivals: Private jets are now landing at Marco Polo Airport at a rate of one per hour, with more than 100 special flights expected by Friday. Several yachts valued in millions have already been anchored in Venice's famous backdrop. Despite recommending against bringing his superyacht "Koru" due to potential attacks or protests, Bezos is yet to make a decision.
Pro Tip: Missed the latest showbiz gossip? Keep an eye on the who's who of the wedding here, and join the conversation about the ostentatious, star-studded Venetian celebration on social media!
Jeff Bezos | Weddings | Celebrity Couples | Venice
Enrichment Data:* Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding in Venice in June 2025 has been a lavish, high-profile event marked by considerable secrecy, extensive security, a star-studded guest list, and local protests.
Wedding Details and Locations
- The wedding details were tightly kept secret, with guests only informed of timing but not the exact location until arrival, emphasizing the high confidentiality amid the local tensions.
- The wedding spanned several days, starting with a lavish party on Bezos’s superyacht and a foam party (1). After the wedding, the couple and their guests attended a dinner at the Arsenal of Venice (1), which was initially meant to host one of the main wedding receptions.
- Several venues in and around Venice were closed for the occasion, causing frustration among tourists (4).
Guest List
- The wedding guest list included celebrities and powerful figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane von Furstenberg, and Orlando Bloom (2).
- Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger, Katy Perry, Elton John, Bill Gates, Eric Schmidt, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Matteo Bocelli were also rumored to attend (2).
Controversies and Protests
- Protests against the wedding started long before the event, with local groups accusing the mayor of selling out the city and the couple of benefiting from mass tourism (3).
- Banners reading "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax" were displayed during the protests outside the Scuola Vecchia della Misericordia, the initial planned ceremony location (3).
Additional Details
- The couple donated an additional two million euros to various institutions in Venice, contributing to the restoration of the city (5).
- The noise and overcrowding from the wedding caused disruption for residents and tourists alike (4).
In summary, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Venice wedding was a multi-day, highly secretive extravaganza featuring an exclusive guest list, tight security, and local protests, with the nearby locales also experiencing its repercussions (1-4).
- Despite the wedding details being tightly kept secrets, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane von Furstenberg, and Orlando Bloom were confirmed to attend the lavish, star-studded event in Venice.
- The event also sparked local protests, with banners reading "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax" being displayed during demonstrations against the costly affair.
- To minimize the impact of the wedding on Venice, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez donated an additional two million euros to various institutions in Venice, contributing to the restoration of the city.
