June 25, 2025 — Venice is poised to host one of the most extravagant weddings of the decade as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez prepare to tie the knot in a multi-day celebration commencing June 26. Among the high-profile attendees are Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and his partner, Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, adding to the star-studded guest list that includes Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Mick Jagger, Katy Perry, and Ivanka Trump.
The couple’s nuptials will unfold over three days, with events planned at several of Venice’s historic landmarks. The wedding ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto, a 14th-century church known for its Gothic architecture. Following the ceremony, guests will attend a reception at the Arsenale, a sprawling former shipyard complex offering enhanced security and privacy. Additional festivities are planned at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini cultural center, located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Security measures have been significantly heightened in anticipation of the event. Approximately 20 security personnel, along with teams from Venice Lion Service and Colosseum Security, are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of guests and the smooth execution of the celebrations. The city has seen an influx of luxury yachts, including Bezos’s own 417-foot superyacht, Koru, which is anchored in the Venetian Lagoon. Other notable vessels, such as Shahid Khan’s Kismet, featuring amenities like a cryotherapy room, are also present.
In a gesture reflecting the couple’s philanthropic values, guests have been requested to forgo traditional wedding gifts. Instead, donations are being made on behalf of each attendee to organizations dedicated to preserving Venice’s cultural heritage and environment. Beneficiaries include the UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA (Consortium for Managing Research Activities in the Venice Lagoon System), and Venice International University.
Despite the opulence of the event, the wedding has not been without controversy. Local activist groups, notably “No Space for Bezos,” have organized protests against the celebration, citing concerns over the impact of such lavish events on Venice’s fragile ecosystem and the issue of over-tourism. Demonstrations have included the display of banners and plans to block canals, reflecting a broader discourse on wealth disparity and environmental responsibility.
The wedding is being orchestrated by Lanza & Baucina, the same event planning firm behind other high-profile weddings in Venice, including those of George and Amal Clooney and Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault. The couple has emphasized their commitment to minimizing disruption to the city, sourcing 80% of wedding provisions from local vendors and artisans, thereby supporting the local economy.
As the festivities commence, Venice finds itself at the intersection of celebration and scrutiny, hosting an event that epitomizes both the allure and the challenges of accommodating global elite gatherings within its historic confines.