VENICE, ITALY — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez celebrated their union with a grand, multi-day wedding in Venice, Italy, drawing a constellation of celebrities and igniting local protests over the event’s extravagance.
The couple exchanged vows on Friday, June 27, 2025, in a black-tie ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Sánchez donned a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown inspired by Sophia Loren’s iconic look in the film Houseboat, while Bezos wore a classic black tuxedo. The ceremony featured a performance of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Matteo Bocelli, son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Approximately 200 guests attended the nuptials, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Tom Brady, Orlando Bloom, and Queen Rania of Jordan. The festivities commenced with a welcome party on Thursday at the Madonna dell’Orto church, where guests enjoyed Neapolitan pizza, fried zucchini flowers, and lemon cakes. The celebrations continued with a masked ball and culminated in a pajama-themed party at the historic Arsenale, featuring performances by Usher and DJ Cassidy.
Despite the opulence, the event faced criticism from local residents and environmental activists. Protesters, organized by the “No Space for Bezos” campaign, decried the wedding as emblematic of wealth-driven exploitation amidst Venice’s struggles with overtourism, rising housing costs, and climate-induced flooding. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Kisses Yes, Bezos No” and “Eat the Rich,” and their presence prompted the relocation of the final party to the Arsenale.
In response to the backlash, Bezos and Sánchez donated €1 million to local environmental organizations and sourced approximately 80% of their wedding provisions from Venetian vendors, including the historic pastry shop Rosa Salva and Murano glassmaker Laguna B. However, critics dismissed these efforts as insufficient, labeling them as “greenwashing.”
The couple, who began dating publicly in 2019 and got engaged in 2023 with a 30-carat diamond ring, are both entering their second marriages. Their relationship has been marked by high-profile appearances and luxurious travels, often aboard Bezos’ $500 million superyacht, Koru.
While the wedding showcased the couple’s commitment and was marked by moments of glamour and heartfelt exchanges, it also highlighted the ongoing tensions between celebrity extravagance and local concerns in historic cities like Venice.
