Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Celebrate Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests

Newlyweds Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, and journalist Lauren Sánchez, capped off their extravagant three-day wedding celebration with a star-studded party on Venice’s Grand Canal this past Saturday. The couple, who exchanged rings in a ceremony on the picturesque island of San Giorgio, were surrounded by an array of celebrity guests including Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Oprah Winfrey, among others. The wedding festivities began on Friday evening, with the wedding ceremony accompanied by a performance from Matteo Bocelli, the son of famed tenor Andrea Bocelli. The couple celebrated their union with approximately 200 to 250 guests, and the total cost of the lavish event is estimated to be around $50 million. However, the glamour of the occasion was marred by protests from around 1,000 activists and local residents, who expressed their objections to the lavish display of wealth in a city known for its history and cultural significance. The protestors voiced concerns over how events like these transform Venice, often seen as being 'gift-wrapped for the uber-wealthy'. Guests were seen departing the Gritti Palace hotel, some even in pajamas or colorful dressing gowns, as they boarded small boats headed to the evening’s festivities in the Arsenale, a historic shipyard in Venice. Meanwhile, Bezos and Sánchez opted for a more understated look; Bezos donned a black suit while Sánchez wore a soft pink off-the-shoulder dress for the occasion. The bride's gown featured a high-necked silhouette complemented by a tulle and lace veil that drew inspiration from Sophia Loren’s wedding dress in the 1958 film “Houseboat.” She also wore diamond earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, traditionally believed to bring good luck to brides. Despite the love and joy surrounding the wedding, the ceremony did not have legal standing under Italian law, indicating that the couple may have previously tied the knot in the United States—a move speculated to avoid the bureaucratic hurdles associated with an Italian marriage. The juxtaposition of Bezos, one of the richest men in the world, and the civic pride held by some Venetians has sparked a dialogue about wealth and inequality. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro defended Bezos, celebrating the economic boost the wedding could bring to the local community, arguing that the protests contradict Venice’s long history of commerce and relationships with wealthy individuals. While some locals expressed dissatisfaction with the grandeur of such events, others recognized the potential benefits to local businesses and the economy. Following a 25-year marriage to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, Bezos, who is currently ranked fourth on Forbes' list of global billionaires, became engaged to Sánchez in 2023. The new couple's high-profile wedding is not only a celebration of love but also a reflection of contemporary attitudes towards wealth, power, and local community values. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2