The opulent multi-day wedding celebration of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice, Italy, captivated global attention from Thursday to Saturday. The highly anticipated nuptials culminated on Friday, June 27, when the couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony on the tiny San Giorgio island, across the lagoon basin from St. Mark’s Square. Lauren Sanchez reportedly wore a custom-made Dolce & Gabbana gown for the occasion, a masterpiece that took over 900 hours to create, embodying classic elegance inspired by Sophia Loren. The event, reportedly costing $20 million, was attended by nearly 200 VIPs, making it a truly star-studded affair.

The guest list for the extravagant celebration included a dazzling array of A-list celebrities, business leaders, and influencers. Among those spotted throughout the festivities were Oprah Winfrey, Kendall Jenner, Vittoria Ceretti, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Ivanka Trump, Kris Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brooks Nader, film producer Brian Grazer, NFL legend Tom Brady, and actor Orlando Bloom. Notably, Kris Jenner reportedly played a role in securing invitations for her daughters, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie, despite their limited prior connection to Lauren Sanchez, ensuring the Kardashian-Jenner family’s prominent presence.

The final night of the celebrations on Saturday, June 28, 2025, was held at the Arsenale, located in Venice’s Castello district, chosen last-minute due to growing protests surrounding the ultra-wealthy nuptials. The venue’s remote layout offered increased difficulty for protestors and press to access. The evening was rumored to be a pajama party, though many guests opted for high fashion. Lauren Sanchez appeared in a stunning pink embellished bandeau gown, believed to be by Atelier Versace, while Jeff Bezos wore an all-black look. Other notable outfits included Kendall Jenner in an all-blue blazer-inspired ensemble, Oprah Winfrey in a chic silk brown co-ord with fringe sleeves, and Kim Kardashian in a corset-inspired look with sheer tights, channeling a lingerie feel. Kylie Jenner pushed limits with a fringe V-shaped crop top, and Ivanka Trump opted for an all-black mini-dress with sequin detailing. Brian Grazer, however, seemed to embrace the theme, arriving in a leopard print matching set.

Beyond the wedding ceremony and grand finale, guests engaged in various activities. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, along with friends Usher and Tommy Hilfiger, enjoyed a lunch at the well-known Harry’s Bar in Venice, which was closed to the public during their visit. The couple kept their outfits simple for this outing, with Lauren in a black off-the-shoulder dress and Jeff in a brown T-shirt. For guest accommodations, the couple booked two luxury hotels, the Aman and the Gritti Palace, exclusively for themselves and their guests, leading to some previously reserved guests being relocated.

The lavish wedding did not occur without controversy. Thousands of locals and activists gathered in protest across Venice, expressing anger about billionaires like Bezos using the city for private parties while ordinary residents contend with issues like overtourism, high housing costs, and climate-induced flooding. Protest banners carried slogans such as 'Kisses yes, Bezos, no,' 'No Bezos, no war,' and 'No space for Bezos,' referencing the billionaire’s space technology company, Blue Origin. Despite increased police presence near venues, the protests underscored a significant division within Venice regarding such high-profile events.

Among the many celebrity guests, Sydney Sweeney emerged as a focal point, described as the “most sought-after person” at the ceremony. Rumors of a budding romance swirled after she was seen dancing until 2 am and chatting with Tom Brady at the hotel bar. Sweeney also recently ended her engagement to Jonathan Davino and launched a new business partnership with Baskin-Robbins, following a viral “bathwater” soap collaboration. Additionally, Ivanka Trump’s son, Theodore Kushner, aged nine, captured attention by waving to cameras from a water taxi, drawing comparisons to Prince Louis.

The Bezos-Sanchez wedding highlighted Venice's enduring appeal as a sought-after destination for celebrity nuptials, offering a blend of historic charm and romantic ambiance. However, it also brought to the forefront the ongoing challenge of balancing the allure of such events with the needs and concerns of the local community, as the economic benefits often come with social and environmental impacts.