The highly anticipated wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez officially commenced on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Venice, Italy. Dubbed by many as the "wedding of the century," this lavish multi-day affair is estimated to cost between $10 million and $50 million, attracting an elite guest list and stirring considerable debate.

Reports emerged that Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, had already legally tied the knot in the United States, specifically on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, prior to their Venetian festivities. A multimillion-dollar prenuptial agreement was reportedly signed. Despite the grandeur of the Venice events, a senior City Hall official confirmed that the ceremony held there would hold no legal status under Italian law, suggesting the US union was a strategic move to bypass local bureaucracy.

The wedding celebrations were meticulously planned and shrouded in secrecy, partly due to the high-profile nature of the couple and the immense security required. Initial rumors about the main ceremony taking place aboard Bezos's $500 million yacht were later retracted. The couple was reportedly forced to change their primary wedding venue from the 16th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a former charity building, to the historic Arsenale—a complex of shipyards and armories. This change was prompted by anti-Bezos campaigners who threatened protests, including the use of inflatable crocodiles, to disrupt the event. To further ensure privacy and avoid disruptions, multiple secret locations were booked, and guests were given limited information about specific event times and places.

The celebrations kicked off on Thursday evening with a decadent pizza party held at Madonna dell'Orto, a medieval church in the central Cannaregio district. The venue was adorned with hundreds of beautiful purple, pink, and yellow wildflowers, along with faux lemon decorations, creating a vibrant Italian ambiance. Staff were seen preparing countless trays of fresh dough, mozzarella, olive oil, and tomatoes, staying true to the Italian theme. A rumored pajama-themed party was also part of the planned events leading up to the main ceremony.

The guest list for this opulent event reads like a Who's Who of global entertainment, politics, and finance, with approximately 200-250 A-listers expected. Celebrities spotted arriving in Venice via private jets and water taxis included Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner and her partner Corey Gamble, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, Bill Gates, the Queen of Jordan, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Usher, Kylie Jenner, Tom Brady, Scooter Braun, and Karlie Kloss with her husband Joshua Kushner. Many guests made grand entrances, showcasing their stylish outfits for various themed events, including Kim Kardashian's head-to-toe black Maison Margiela and Balenciaga ensemble, and Kendall Jenner's floral halter dress.

However, the lavishness of the wedding was not without controversy. The event sparked widespread protests in Venice, with activists expressing their indignation against the "ultra-rich outsiders" and unfurling banners proclaiming "The 1 per cent ruins the world" in St. Mark's Square. These protests highlighted a broader debate about the impact of such high-end events on Venice, with some locals viewing it as a "sell-off" of the city, while others welcomed the economic benefits. Security was exceptionally tight, with around 100 police officers, including local police in speedboats and military police (Guardia di Finanza), along with sniffer dogs, deployed to secure the venues. The city council even imposed bans on pedestrian and water traffic in certain areas to ensure seclusion for the partygoers. Despite the meticulously planned security, the first night ended with torrential rain and thunder.

While rumors circulated about performances by top artists like Lady Gaga and Elton John, an insider later stated that Lady Gaga was not scheduled to perform, leading to confusion about who would entertain the guests. The three-day festivities were set to conclude on Saturday with the main wedding bash held at one of the halls of the Arsenale, solidifying its place as one of the most talked-about social events of the year.