In the picturesque city of Venice, Italy, the lavish wedding festivities of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez came to a grand conclusion Saturday. The couple exchanged vows the previous day, surrounded by approximately 200 celebrity attendees in a secluded spot of the lagoon city.
The much-speculated ceremony remained under wraps until Sánchez took to Instagram to share a photo in a stunning white gown, arm-in-arm with Bezos, who was elegantly dressed in a tuxedo. The gathering brought together athletes, celebrities, influencers, and business leaders, creating an atmosphere of opulence that mirrored both their love and wealth.
A flotilla of water taxis transported the couple and their guests to the intimate San Giorgio island, located across the lagoon from the famed St. Mark’s Square, where the private ceremony took place. Paparazzi eagerly pursued the entourage, while police enforced a restricted area to maintain privacy.
Saturday’s culmination included a grand festivity at an ancient shipyard, secured against potential disruptions. Notably, guests started to arrive from Thursday onwards, with high-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey and NFL legend Tom Brady in attendance.
Bezos and Sánchez opted for the luxurious Aman Venice hotel along the Grand Canal as their temporary abode, captivating onlookers with groom’s poses for photographs and the bride’s affectionate gestures towards the media.
Among the celebrated guests were Ivanka Trump, her spouse Jared Kushner, and their children, who were spotted on Wednesday. Other VIPs making an appearance included Queen Rania of Jordan, albeit without King Abdullah II, Kim Kardashian along with her family, Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, and many more.
The grand wedding, however, sparked controversy in Venice, with critics, including some activists, claiming it underscored the billionaires’ indulgence amidst the struggles faced by local residents such as overtourism, inflated housing costs, and impending climate threats. A protest led by the Extinction Rebellion featured an impersonated bride and groom and banners condemning environmental and economic disparities.
One protest sign sarcastically alluded to the bride’s extensive wedding wardrobe amidst environmental concerns, captioned, “The planet is burning, but don’t worry, here’s the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sánchez.” Plans to disrupt the event prompted a relocation to Venice’s more securable Arsenale area, away from the city’s bustling center.
In light of these critiques, the city’s officials advocated for the nuptials, emphasizing Venice’s longstanding tradition of hospitality that has historically embraced popes, emperors, and everyday travelers alike. As a gesture of goodwill, Bezos contributed a sum of 1 million euros ($1.17 million) each to three environmental organizations focused on preserving Venice’s ecosystem, with acknowledgement from Corila, the Venetian environmental research body.