Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, and Lauren Sánchez tied the knot in a stunning three-day wedding in Venice, Italy, ending on June 28, 2025. The event was a mix of luxury, celebrity guests, and some local backlash, with costs reportedly reaching sky-high numbers. From private jets to fancy hotels, the wedding was a big deal that had everyone talking. Estimates suggest the price tag was between $46.5 million and $55.6 million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings of the year. Let’s break down what made this celebration so costly.
A Three-Day Party in Venice
The wedding started with a foam party on Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, and continued in Venice with events at historic spots like San Giorgio Maggiore and the Arsenale. The couple booked five luxury hotels, including the Cipriani and Aman, to house their 200 guests, which included stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Oprah Winfrey. They also rented 90 private jets and 30 water taxis to get everyone around. These big-ticket items, along with top-notch food and entertainment, pushed the costs way up.
| Expense Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Luxury Hotels | $10–15 million |
| Private Jets | $5–7 million |
A Starry Ceremony and Fashion
The main ceremony on Friday took place on San Giorgio Maggiore, with Sánchez wearing a lacy Dolce & Gabbana gown and Bezos in a sharp tuxedo. The final party at the Arsenale featured Sánchez in a pink Atelier Versace dress. Big-name designers and custom outfits for the couple and guests added to the bill. Rumors of performances by stars like Matteo Bocelli and possibly Elton John likely cost a pretty penny, as top entertainers charge millions for private events.
Donations to Ease Local Tensions
Not everyone in Venice was happy about the wedding. Locals protested, saying the event turned their city into a playground for the rich. To smooth things over, Bezos and Sánchez made donations, including €1 million ($1.2 million) to CORILA, a group that protects Venice’s lagoon, and another €1 million to the UNESCO Venice Office for cultural preservation. These gifts, while generous, added to the overall cost of the wedding, showing the couple’s effort to give back to the city.
| Donation Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
| CORILA | $1.2 million |
| UNESCO Venice Office | $1.2 million |
Why the High Price Tag?
The $46.5–55.6 million estimate comes from reports by Reuters and other sources, with Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, confirming the range. The cost covers renting historic venues, luxury transport, designer clothes, and security to keep the event private. Unlike earlier rumors of a $600 million wedding in Aspen, which Bezos denied, the Venice event’s costs are more grounded but still jaw-dropping. The couple’s wealth, with Bezos’ net worth at $238 billion, made this level of spending possible, though it sparked debates about excess.
A Wedding to Remember
The Bezos-Sánchez wedding wasn’t just about money; it was a spectacle that mixed romance, fame, and controversy. While the exact cost isn’t public, estimates show it rivaled other billionaire weddings, like the 2024 Ambani celebration. The event brought attention to Venice, boosting local businesses but also raising questions about overtourism. For Bezos and Sánchez, now Mrs. Bezos, the wedding was a dream come true, but its price tag has left the world wondering how far luxury can go.