Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez are wrapping up a grand, three-day wedding celebration in Venice, following their Friday ceremony. The star-studded festivities, with a reported cost of $50 million, will conclude Saturday night with a final party at a historic shipyard, where performances by Elton John and Lady Gaga are expected.
The couple exchanged vows on the picturesque island of San Giorgio, just across from Saint Mark’s Square, with Matteo Bocelli—son of famed tenor Andrea Bocelli—providing musical accompaniment. Sanchez wore a high-neck lace and tulle gown by Dolce & Gabbana, inspired by Sophia Loren’s wedding dress in the 1958 film Houseboat. She also wore borrowed diamond earrings from the same designer, aligning with the tradition of brides wearing something borrowed for good luck. Bezos chose a classic black tuxedo and bow tie.
Although the ceremony was symbolic and not legally binding under Italian law, officials speculate the couple likely formalized their union in the U.S. beforehand. The event attracted about 200–250 high-profile guests, including Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Rania of Jordan, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and many others.
Protests and Praise
Not everyone welcomed the celebration. Activists from the “No Space for Bezos” group have staged demonstrations against the billionaire’s lavish event, accusing it of showcasing wealth inequality. On Saturday afternoon, a protest march is planned from Venice’s railway station to the Rialto Bridge. Banners criticizing Bezos have appeared across the city, calling on him to pay more taxes.
Despite this backlash, local authorities and business owners have largely embraced the event, citing its economic benefits. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro defended the celebration, stating that commerce and international connections are part of Venice’s heritage. He even remarked that Bezos, who donated €3 million to local causes with no strings attached, represents the city’s entrepreneurial spirit more than the protesters do.
Bezos and Sanchez, who got engaged in 2023, began their relationship after Bezos’s 25-year marriage to MacKenzie Scott ended in 2019.
