VENICE, ITALY — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez tied the knot on June 27, 2025, in an extravagant ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The event, attended by over 200 high-profile guests, spanned three days and showcased opulence, fashion, and star-studded festivities.
A Star-Studded Affair
The wedding drew a constellation of celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, and members of the Kardashian-Jenner family—Kim, Khloé, Kylie, and Kendall Jenner. Other notable attendees were Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Queen Rania of Jordan, Orlando Bloom, and Sydney Sweeney. The guest list reflected the couple’s extensive connections across entertainment, politics, and business.
Sánchez’s Couture Ensemble
Lauren Sánchez captivated attendees in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown inspired by Sophia Loren’s dress in the 1958 film “Houseboat.” The high-necked, mermaid-style dress featured intricate Italian lace and 180 silk chiffon-covered buttons, requiring over 1,900 hours to craft. Sánchez complemented her look with diamond earrings delivered in an armored van and a memento from her Blue Origin space flight as her “something blue.”
Throughout the three-day celebration, Sánchez donned more than 20 haute couture outfits, including a rose-pink Atelier Versace gown adorned with Swarovski crystals for a themed party. Her fashion choices paid homage to Old Hollywood glamour and her personal evolution.
Extravagant Celebrations
The festivities commenced with a welcome dinner at the Madonna dell’Orto Church gardens, followed by a foam party aboard Bezos’s $500 million yacht, Koru. The main ceremony took place at the open-air Teatro Verde on San Giorgio Maggiore, with performances by Matteo Bocelli and Ellie Goulding. Guests enjoyed Italian cuisine and danced late into the night at the Gritti Palace Hotel.
The wedding’s estimated cost exceeded $50 million, encompassing logistics such as 90 private jets and nine luxury yachts. Guests were accommodated in Venice’s finest hotels, including the Aman Venice and the Gritti Palace, with some suites costing up to £10,000 per night.
Philanthropic Gesture Amidst Criticism
In lieu of traditional wedding gifts, Bezos and Sánchez made donations on behalf of their guests to Venetian charities focused on cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. Despite this, the event faced criticism from local activists concerned about the impact of such lavish celebrations on Venice’s infrastructure and tourism challenges. Protests included banners and slogans highlighting the city’s commercialization.
A Union of Influence
Bezos and Sánchez’s relationship began in 2018, leading to their engagement in May 2023. Their wedding in Venice not only celebrated their union but also underscored their prominence in global circles. The event’s grandeur and guest list have solidified its place as one of the most notable weddings of the decade.