Jeff Bezos, the world‑famous Amazon founder, and former news anchor Lauren Sánchez sealed their vows in a lavish three‑day celebration in Venice, Italy, held from June 26–28, 2025. The event has been widely referred to as the “wedding of the century,” attended by an A‑list guest list including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom and Katy Perry, the Jenner and Kardashian clans, Ivanka Trump, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, and more.
Taking place at iconic venues—including the basilica on San Giorgio Maggiore and the historic Venetian Arsenal—the affair aimed to be an unforgettable celebration. According to Vogue, the ceremony of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez took place on June 27, followed by a Gatsby‑themed party and a playful pajama & foam extravaganza aboard Bezos’s superyacht, the Koru. Sánchez dazzled in an array of couture outfits—27 in total—including a custom Dolce & Gabbana bridal gown featuring 180 silk‑covered buttons and requiring 900 hours of craftsman work.
The scale of the event underscored its multimillion‑dollar scope. Initial estimates placed the total cost between $20 million and $56 million; however, regional officials later projected a higher range of €40–48 million (~$46.5–55.6 million) due to enhanced security and venue adjustments. Detailed breakdowns include $6 million on jet security, $9 million for yacht docking, $1.6 million on roses, $1.8 million on wait staff, wine and champagne worth $2 million, and over $2.5 million allocated to entertainment—including performances from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Usher, and Matteo Bocelli.
Logistical feats such as chartering 90 private jets, deploying 30 water taxis, and reserving five top-tier hotels—including the Aman Venice, Cipriani, Gritti Palace, Danieli, and St. Regis—underscored the event’s grandeur. The couple also incorporated a philanthropic element: donations included €1 million to CORILA for lagoon conservation, contributions to UNESCO, and a €2 million pledge to Venetian cultural legacy projects. Instead of typical wedding gifts, guests received hand‑blown Murano glass and designer slippers, with contributions made in their honor toward environmental and educational causes.
However, the wedding didn’t arrive without controversy. Local activist groups rallied under the slogan “No Space for Bezos,” criticizing the event as emblematic of corporate excess, overtourism, and the privatization of public spaces. Protesters displayed banners across Venice calling for Bezos to pay fairer taxes and voiced outrage over using the city as a private playground. Several celebrities voiced their disapproval. Actress Rosie O’Donnell condemned the spectacle as “gross excess,” criticizing attendees like Oprah in light of Bezos’s track record and notable labor disputes. Charlize Theron also denounced the event as insensitive amid global strife, calling it emblematic of misplaced priorities . Others, including Olivia Munn, Katie Couric, and Megyn Kelly, criticized the ostentation and questioned whether the guest list represented meaningful relationships.
Despite the backlash, local authorities emphasized the economic benefits—predicting millions in visitor spending for hotels, restaurants, gondoliers, and water‑taxi operators. Yet opponents argue that such benefits come at the cost of Venice’s cultural integrity, citing environmental stress, housing shortages, and loss of public accessibility .
Ultimately, the Bezos‑Sánchez wedding stands as a complex symbol: a meticulously orchestrated union of opulence, celebrity, philanthropy, and spectacle—and a flashpoint in ongoing debates over wealth, tourism, and preservation of public heritage.
