Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish $20 Million Venetian Wedding

In a high-profile event that has captivated the world, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos married journalist Lauren Sanchez in a lavish ceremony held in Venice, Italy, on June 26, 2025. The celebration, referred to as the 'wedding of the century,' featured an extravagant three-day gala with an estimated cost of up to $77 million, attended by nearly 200 celebrities and influential figures from various industries.

The couple exchanged vows on a private island, San Giorgio, amid picturesque Venetian canals, while notable guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Ivanka Trump graced the occasion. Sanchez, 55, shared her stunning wedding dress—a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown—via social media shortly after the ceremony, expressing her feelings of being a 'princess' on her special day. She recounted her emotional experience during the dress fitting in Milan, stating, 'It was more powerful than I thought.'

Despite the glamour, the event faced backlash from local residents and activists who protested against the perceived commercialization of Venice, chanting slogans such as 'We are the 99 percent.' The 'No Space for Bezos' movement raised concerns about the impact of billionaires on the historic city, highlighting the stark divide between the affluent guests and local inhabitants. Venice’s Mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, welcomed Bezos and Sanchez, declaring, 'We are happy and honored to welcome Jeff Bezos and his consort Lauren Sanchez.'

The wedding, which occurred two years after Bezos proposed on his $500 million superyacht, was marked by high security and a series of pre-wedding celebrations that began on Thursday evening in the cloisters of the Madonna dell’Orto, a historic church. The couple reportedly opted to marry informally in Italy, having already wed legally in the United States to circumvent Italian bureaucracy.

Sources indicate that the wedding festivities included a performance by Matteo Bocelli, the son of famed tenor Andrea Bocelli, and concluded with a party featuring high-profile entertainers like Lady Gaga and Elton John. The event's opulence and the presence of global celebrities underscore the continuing allure of celebrity culture, even amidst rising concerns over economic inequality and local discontent.

As the Bezos-Sanchez wedding captured global attention, it also sparked discussions about the implications of wealth on local economies and cultural heritage. Observers note that the lavish nature of such celebrations may be increasingly scrutinized in the context of ongoing societal disparities. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how high-profile events like these will shape public discourse around wealth and privilege in historically significant locations like Venice.