Stunning Union: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Exchange Vows in a Lavish Venice Wedding
Wealthy tycoons, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, tie the knot in picturesque Venice. - Rich Elites Tie the Knot: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Exchange Vows in Venice
Get a load of the snaps on their Instagram account under the fresh moniker of Lauren Sanchez Bezos - quite the sight, the bride's rocking a long, curvaceous dress drenched in lace and an extended train. Her dapper groom, at 61, was sporting a classic black tuxedo with a sleek black bow tie and a white shirt with black buttons.
The high-roller brigade from the fashion scene, showbiz, and tech biz showed up for the bash in Venice, including reality queen Kim Kardashian, US Prez's daughter Ivanka Trump, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, US talent like Usher, actors Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and the Jordanian royal family members.
The couple when it comes to lodging, Sanchez and Bezos opted for Hotel "Aman", a vintage 16th-century palace resting on the Grand Canal. Rumors have it that an open amphitheater on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore was where the ceremony took place, with Matteo Bocelli - son of the legendary singer Andrea Bocelli – said to have unleashed his pipes to start the festivities. Star chef Fabrizio Mellino was hired for the feast. Sanchez, having already tied the knot with Bezos in a US civil ceremony, is said to have prepped 27 attires for the extravaganza in Venice.
The Amazon founder Bezos, one of the wealthiest in the world, couldn't help but praise Venice's extraordinary location: "Behold! This place looks impossible, it shouldn't even exist, but here it is," the multi-billionaire exclaimed to reporters, as caught on video by "La Repubblica."
The three-day extravaganza will wrap up with Lady Gaga taking the stage on Saturday. But, even fans may sweat it out while thrashing it up – temperatures in Venice are predicted to touch 32 degrees Celsius, and the high humidity will make it feel like close to 36 degrees. Italian health officials have also issued a heatwave warning for 20 additional cities, from Milan to Naples.
While some Venetians cheer on the big event, critics, including activists battling over-tourism, express concerns about the city's inconveniences due to canal closures and stricter controls. Alice Bazzoli, a protest group member called No Space for Bezos, voiced her opinions, saying, "This wedding causes problems for the city." On Thursday evening, the protest message "No Kings, No Bezos" splashed across the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica in green lights.
However, regional president Luca Zaia highlights the fiscal benefits, speculating that about 80% of the estimated minimum 40 million euro splurge would go to Venice's businesses and residents. Bezos, with a fortune of approximately 215 billion dollars, has reportedly promised a donation of three million euros each to a lagoon protection association, the International University of Venice, and UNESCO.
The Italian Tourism Ministry projects that the three-day wedding could rake in close to a billion euros in combined direct and indirect earnings, alongside an estimated 895 million euros in future tourism revenue due to extensive coverage of the wedding, promoting Venice and Italy. However, the ministry cautions that these calculations are "complex" and require "empirical verification."
To forego typical wedding gifts, the newlyweds suggested their guests donate to UNESCO to protect "priceless cultural heritage."
Jeff BezosLauren SanchezVeniceSanchezGiorgio MaggioreCelebritiesInstagramKim KardashianIvanka TrumpOprah WinfreyUS SingersOrlando BloomLeonardo DiCaprioMicrosoftCanaleMatteo BocelliAndrea BocelliUSA
Extra Facts:
- The wedding originally scheduled for Saturday was rescheduled for Friday due to security concerns amid protests in Venice[1].
- Both Bezos and Sanchez arrived separately by water taxi to the ceremony location[1][4].
- Sanchez donned a custom Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown influenced by Sophia Loren’s 1958 film "Houseboat," and she had other lavish attires for the celebrations, including a corseted gown inspired by Rita Hayworth and an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress bedazzled with 175,000 crystals[3].
- Her "something borrowed" came from Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioielleria Miracolo earrings and "something blue" was a memento from her Blue Origin spaceflight[3].
- The wedding supposedly cost a whopping $50 million and spanned over three days[3].
Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, praised the extraordinary location of Venice during his lavish three-day wedding celebration. The ceremony, attended by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, and various tech and fashion industry elites, unfolded on the picturesque island of Giorgio Maggiore, with Matteo Bocelli providing music. Lauren Sanchez, Bezos' new wife, arrived in a custom Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown, emulating Sophia Loren's style from her 1958 film "Houseboat." The wedding reportedly cost an impressive $50 million, with Jeff Bezos promising donations to a lagoon protection association, the International University of Venice, and UNESCO. In addition to their extravagant wedding, the couple also requested that guests donate to UNESCO to protect "priceless cultural heritage" instead of traditional gifts.
