The city of Venice, Italy, turned into a star-filled party spot as Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot over a three-day celebration ending on June 28, 2025. The Amazon founder and his bride, a former journalist, threw a wedding that had everyone talking, from Hollywood stars to local boat drivers. With fancy boats, designer clothes, and a guest list packed with big names, the event was a mix of glamour and controversy. Some locals loved the buzz, while others protested the big spending. Here’s a look at how it all went down.
A Grand Start on the Water
The wedding kicked off with a wild foam party on Bezos’ $500 million yacht near a Croatian island, just in time for Sanchez’s son’s 19th birthday. Guests partied in swimsuits, covered in bubbles, as paparazzi snapped photos. By Thursday, the action moved to Venice, with stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Oprah Winfrey arriving at the Gritti Palace hotel. The couple’s choice of Venice, with its canals and historic charm, set the stage for a dreamy yet over-the-top event that lasted three days.
The Main Event on San Giorgio
On Friday evening, Bezos and Sanchez exchanged rings on the small island of San Giorgio Maggiore, across from St. Mark’s Square. Sanchez wore a white Dior skirt suit and blew kisses to photographers, while Bezos kept it sharp in a black tuxedo. The ceremony, which wasn’t legally binding in Italy, featured singing by Matteo Bocelli, son of the famous tenor Andrea Bocelli. A table below shows some key details of the ceremony’s style.
| Ceremony Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | San Giorgio Maggiore |
| Sanchez’s Outfit | White Dior skirt suit |
| Bezos’s Outfit | Black tuxedo and bow tie |
A Star-Studded Guest List
The wedding drew a crowd of A-listers, making it feel like a Hollywood red carpet. Guests included Bill Gates, Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian, and Jordan’s Queen Rania. Fashion was a big deal, with Kylie Jenner in a powder blue corset gown and Kim Kardashian rocking a vintage Versace snakeskin dress. The final party on Saturday at the Arsenale, a former shipyard, had everyone buzzing, with rumors of performances by big names like Elton John. The guest list and their designer outfits kept social media on fire.
| Guest | Notable Outfit |
|---|---|
| Kylie Jenner | Powder blue corset gown |
| Kim Kardashian | Vintage Versace snakeskin dress |
Protests and Local Reactions
Not everyone in Venice was thrilled about the wedding. Some locals called it a “sell-out” of their city, upset that a billionaire’s $50 million party took over public spaces. Protesters used green lasers to flash “No Kings, No Bezos” on St. Mark’s belltower and held up signs saying, “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.” But the city’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, praised the event, saying it brought money to shops, hotels, and restaurants. The split in opinions showed how the wedding stirred up both excitement and anger.
A Big Finish at the Arsenale
The three-day party wrapped up on Saturday with a huge bash at the Arsenale, a historic site that hosts Venice’s art festival. Sanchez dazzled in a pink Atelier Versace gown, and Bezos matched in a sleek black suit. The couple arrived by boat, waving to cameras as paparazzi chased them. The event was both public and private, with tight security but plenty of Instagram moments. Italy’s tourism minister called it a “free ad” for Venice, predicting the photos would boost the city’s fame. Despite the protests, the wedding left a mark as one of 2025’s biggest events.