5 Things to Know About Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Venice Wedding

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice, Italy, has attracted global attention. Bezos is not only known as one of the richest individuals in the world, but also for the extravagance of the three-day celebration, which lasted until June 28, 2025, complete with luxurious accommodations and a star-studded guest list.

As the founder of Amazon, Bezos was deeply involved in planning the event, ensuring every detail was executed with care. Guests were treated to lavish experiences at some of Venice’s most exclusive five-star hotels, including the Aman Venice, Hotel Cipriani, and Gritti Palace, according to Vogue.

A Grand Wedding on a Historic Island

The ceremony took place in the eastern part of the Castello district, a more secluded area surrounded by water and accessible only by a special drawbridge. Three luxury hotels were fully reserved for the occasion.

Originally, the celebration was intended to span several iconic locations throughout Venice. To accommodate the festivities, the city government closed the area around the medieval church of Madonna dell’Orto on Wednesday. Guests began gathering in nearby open-air venues on Thursday evening.

To ensure security, Venice police deployed special forces and coordinated operations citywide. A spokesperson for the Mayor of Venice stated that the city was well-prepared to host the event. “Only 200 guests will be invited and therefore it will be easy for Venice to hold such an event, without disturbing the city, its residents, and visitors,” the spokesperson told Vogue.

A Star-Studded Guest List

The wedding ceremony, held on Friday, June 27, followed several days of pre-wedding events. The guest list included prominent figures from entertainment, business, and politics.

The Kardashian-Jenner family—Kim, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall, Kris Jenner, and Corey Gamble—joined celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sydney Sweeney, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Diane von Fürstenberg, and Tom Brady. Orlando Bloom was also expected to attend, shortly after reports of his breakup with Katy Perry.

Exclusive Celebrations

As the weekend unfolded, guests gathered on Thursday evening for a welcome dinner near the Madonna dell’Orto church in the Cannaregio district. Many were spotted by paparazzi traveling across the city in water taxis.

Events continued the next day, culminating in the wedding ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore Island, where Bezos and Sanchez exchanged vows under the trees.

Staggering Costs

This marks Bezos’s second marriage, following his 2019 divorce from MacKenzie Scott. He and Sanchez became engaged in 2023, as reported by USA Today.

The wedding is estimated to have cost as much as US$56 million, or approximately Rp909 billion. The celebration is said to have involved local artisans and businesses, offering a valuable opportunity for the city’s tourism sector.

To accommodate the influx of guests, about 90 private jets were scheduled to land, and 30 water taxis were arranged for transportation. Heightened security measures were implemented, and access around the venue and Marco Polo Airport was restricted during the event.

Controversy and Local Reaction

According to Hola, the couple rented out the entire Aman Venice Hotel, which disrupted plans for tourists who had already booked rooms. Some had to reschedule their stays due to the hotel's full reservation for the wedding.

The hotel management covered all relocation expenses, offered compensation, and provided upgraded rooms.

Even so, some guests expressed dissatisfaction. “Some complained because they had to pack, take transportation (provided by Aman), and unpack again,” said a source.

While some residents and business owners welcomed the event—highlighting that around 80 percent of wedding supplies came from Venetian craftsmen—others criticized it. They described the celebration as a “rent-the-city” affair that disrupted daily life for locals and tourists alike.