A Celebrity Wedding Set Against the Romantic Canals of Venice
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and one of the world’s richest individuals, will marry journalist and media personality Lauren Sanchez in a three-day luxury Venice event from June 26 to 28, 2025.
With a setting as iconic as Venice and a budget that rivals blockbuster film productions, the Besoz wedding is expected to set a new standard in opulence, exclusivity, and style.
Jeff Bezos e Lauren Sanchez
BEVERLY HILLS, Jeff Bezos e Lauren Sanchez,
Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2025 Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Venice: The Crown Jewel of the Wedding
For Jeff Bezos, only the best will do. The choice of Venice as the wedding location speaks to the couple’s taste for beauty, culture, and exclusivity. All of Venice’s most prestigious hotels have been booked to accommodate the 200 VIP guests. These include:
- Aman Venice
- Gritti Palace
- Hotel Danieli
- Belmond Hotel Cipriani
- St. Regis Venice
From private water taxis to curated Venetian experiences, every detail has been designed to create a seamless luxury escape. As a Venice event, this wedding is expected to generate not only buzz but also significant economic benefits for the city.
A Billionaire Love Story Lands in Venice
Together since 2019, Bezos and Sanchez are sealing their love in one of the world’s most romantic cities—Venice. But this isn’t just any destination wedding. This is a billionaire’s declaration of love, complete with mega-yachts, celebrity performances, couture fashion, and a guest list filled with global elites.
Rumors of the wedding began months ago, but recent confirmations have turned speculation into anticipation. As the countdown begins, Venice is preparing for a multi-million dollar luxury event that is as much a social spectacle as it is a romantic celebration.
A Ceremony in History: Fondazione Cini
The wedding ceremony will reportedly take place at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini on San Giorgio Island—a breathtakingly elegant venue known for its art, architecture, and prestige. This private island location ensures maximum privacy, security, and cinematic beauty, providing the ideal backdrop for a luxury wedding of this scale.
Additional venues involved in the three-day celebration may include the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, another architectural gem in Venice, adding layers of historical richness to this grand occasion.
From Koru to Couture: The Ultimate Celebration
After the ceremony, guests will board the couple’s custom-built, 417-foot yacht, Koru—the second-largest sailing yacht in the world. Valued at over $500 million, Koru is a floating palace equipped with every imaginable luxury.
But the sea-bound celebration is only part of the story. The fashion element of this Venice event is also grabbing headlines. Lauren Sanchez is expected to wear 27 different designer gowns throughout the three days. Her main wedding dress is rumored to be a custom Oscar de la Renta piece. She’ll also showcase looks from Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Galia Lahav—all curated with the help of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who is said to have an exclusive media arrangement in exchange for her advice.
A Guest List Worthy of a Red Carpet
This isn’t just a wedding—it’s a summit of global influence. Expected guests include:
- Bill Gates
- Oprah Winfrey
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Queen Rania of Jordan
- Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria (who attended Sanchez’s Parisian bachelorette party)
- Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
- Vogue’s Anna Wintour
- Actor friends like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield
Family members from both sides will also be present, including Bezos’s children and his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, as well as Sanchez’s children from previous relationships. The gathering reflects not only the couple’s celebrity connections but also their emphasis on blended family and legacy.
Lady Gaga Set to Perform
In true luxury wedding fashion, the musical entertainment is as star-studded as the guest list. Multiple reports confirm that Lady Gaga will perform during the reception. Known for her theatrical style and powerhouse vocals, Gaga’s involvement turns the wedding into a full-blown concert-level experience. This isn’t her first time performing at a billionaire’s Italian wedding—she previously sang at a Lake Como celebration in 2022.
Not Everyone Is Celebrating, local Protests Erupt Over Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Venice Wedding
NO SPACE FOR BEZOS
Despite the glamour, the wedding has also sparked controversy among local Venetians. Activist group Global Project has launched a protest campaign titled “No Space for Bezos,” criticizing what they call the “commercialization of Venice for the ultra-wealthy.” Posters have appeared across the city, and a public protest is planned for June 13 at the historic Rialto Market.
Still, Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has reassured citizens that the event will be managed responsibly. “This Venice event will have no negative impact on residents or tourism,” he stated. “In fact, it will bring millions in economic benefit and international visibility to the city.”
Stefano Mazzola photo No Space for Bezos
Activists in Venice are protesting against Jeff Bezos’s upcoming lavish wedding to Lauren Sánchez, scheduled for late June 2025. The multi-million dollar event, expected to host hundreds of VIP guests on the island of San Giorgio, has sparked concerns about the city’s exploitation and environmental strain.
Federica Toninelli, a Venetian activist with the group No Space for Bezos, criticizes the wedding as a symbol of Venice being treated like a showcase for the rich, sidelining residents. The collective includes activists focused on housing issues and anti-cruise ship campaigns, linking these to the broader problem of Venice prioritizing tourists over locals.
No Space for Bezos has staged banner drops from iconic sites and plans to disrupt the wedding by blocking waterways and streets. They accuse Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, of ignoring residents’ interests and catering only to wealthy events. Despite peaceful intentions, the protests aim to spark debate about the future Venice wants.
The mayor and local business leaders defend the wedding, emphasizing the economic benefits it brings, while activists argue that such events deepen social inequalities and threaten the city’s fragile cultural identity.
Venice’s population has dwindled to under 49,000, as housing shifts to tourist rentals. Activists call for a “post-tourism transition,” aiming to focus governance on residents rather than luxury visitors.
Previous high-profile weddings like George Clooney’s in 2014 did not generate similar backlash, highlighting the unique tensions Bezos’s event has stirred.