The opulent multi-day wedding celebration of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, and Lauren Sanchez, 55, culminated in Venice, Italy, from June 27th to June 29th, 2025. This grand affair, reportedly costing $20 million, drew nearly 200 VIP guests, including a star-studded roster of celebrities, business leaders, and influencers, turning the picturesque city into a hub of high-profile activity and intense media scrutiny.

The couple officially tied the knot in a private ceremony on Friday, June 27th, on the secluded San Giorgio Maggiore island, located across the lagoon basin from St. Mark’s Square. Security was exceptionally tight, with police patrolling a no-go zone and paparazzi in their own boats attempting to capture glimpses of the event. Sanchez later shared a photo on Instagram, beaming in a white gown alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos, confirming their union.

Festivities extended across Venice, beginning with guests arriving between Thursday and Friday. One notable event was a lunch at Harry’s Bar, a well-known restaurant, which Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez attended with friends Usher and Tommy Hilfiger. The bar was closed to the public for their visit, prompting some local discussion, though the owner, Arrigo Cipriani, stated, "Bezos is a private individual who has come here to get married. I can’t see any problem with that." The couple and their guests also booked two luxury hotels, the Aman and the Gritti Palace, leading to some pre-booked guests at the Aman being relocated and compensated.

The grand finale of the wedding extravaganza took place on Saturday, June 28th, at the Arsenale, a historic shipyard in Venice’s Castello district. This venue was reportedly chosen last-minute due to growing protests surrounding the nuptials, offering a remote layout that made it more difficult for protestors and press to access. The evening was rumored to be a "pajama party," though many guests, including Bezos himself, arrived in elaborate ensembles. Lauren Sanchez appeared in a stunning pink embellished bandeau gown, believed to be by Atelier Versace, a striking contrast to her modest Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress, which reportedly took over 900 hours to create and was inspired by Sophia Loren's classic elegance. Jeff Bezos opted for an all-black blazer and button-down look.

The guest list was a who's who of global figures. Oprah Winfrey arrived in a chic silk brown co-ord, while Kendall Jenner donned an all-blue blazer-inspired ensemble. Kim Kardashian channeled a Victoria’s Secret angel in a corset-inspired look with tulle, sheer tights, and garters, and Kylie Jenner pushed fashion limits with a fringe V-shaped crop top. Ivanka Trump, whose son Theodore Kushner notably waved for cameras from their water taxi, wore a sequined black mini dress. Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, appeared in a black and white ensemble and reportedly worked behind the scenes to secure invitations for her daughters despite their limited prior connection to Lauren Sanchez. Other prominent attendees included Leonardo DiCaprio, who often shielded his face from paparazzi, Brooks Nader in a black off-the-shoulder corset, film producer Brian Grazer, who embraced the rumored pajama theme in a leopard print set, NFL great Tom Brady, Orlando Bloom, Bill Gates, and Sydney Sweeney. Sweeney, who had recently ended her engagement, was described as the "most sought-after person" at the event and was seen dancing with Tom Brady until 2 AM, sparking romance speculation.

Despite the glamour, the wedding sparked considerable outrage among some Venetians and activists. Thousands gathered in protest, angered by the perceived exploitation of the city by billionaires like Bezos, especially given Venice’s ongoing struggles with overtourism, high housing costs, and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. Banners with slogans like 'Kisses yes, Bezos, no,' 'No Bezos, no war,' and 'No space for Bezos' (referring to Blue Origin) were displayed. This public dissent highlighted a broader debate about how high-profile events impact local communities and whether the economic boost outweighs the social and environmental concerns. The event underscored the challenge of balancing Venice's allure as a premier wedding destination with the needs of its residents.