Billionaire Wedding on Venetian Island
Jeff Bezos (61) and Lauren Sánchez (55) exchanged vows in an exclusive ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, strategically avoiding media scrutiny and demonstrators. The Amazon founder and former news anchor shared their first wedding photo on Instagram under Sánchez's new surname Sánchez-Bezos, showing the couple beaming among guests.
Designer Dress and Celebrity Guests
Sánchez-Bezos revealed to Vogue she wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown requiring 900 hours of craftsmanship, featuring Italian lace and 180 silk-chiffon buttons inspired by Sophia Loren's film 'Houseboat'. Bezos saw the dress for the first time during the ceremony after failed attempts to preview it.
Approximately 250 attendees included family members, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Sam Altman, Orlando Bloom, and Usher. The ceremony occurred in a historic basilisk facing St. Mark's Square.
Controversy and Economic Impact
The $50 million wedding faced protests over wealth disparity, including 'No Bezos' laser projections on Venice's bell tower. Local government defended the event, projecting nearly €1 billion in economic benefits from tourism promotion and direct spending.
Venue Relocation
Due to security concerns, the reception moved from central Venice to Arsenale - a former shipyard with better perimeter control. Sánchez-Bezos will wear a crystal-embedded Oscar de la Renta gown for the celebration featuring 175,000 crystals.