Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos headed to their grand closing party on Saturday following their lavish Venetian wedding.
The main wedding reception was held in the Arsenale, a historic complex surrounded by fortified walls on the eastern side of the city, after being moved for security reasons. Lady Gaga and Elton John were rumored to perform.
Bezos was seen clad in a black tux and bowtie on his way to the altar Friday. Sánchez, meanwhile, wore a mermaid-style Dolce & Gabbana gown complete with lace long sleeves, a corset top, and buttons straight down the center.
The nuptials are expected to have cost between $46 and $55 million, which is unlikely to make a dent in Bezos’s $231 billion net worth.
Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney, and Orlando Bloom were among the attendees at what the Italian press have dubbed “the wedding of the century.”
Still, Venice locals continue to protest the presence of the American couple and their wealthy friends amid the swell of overtourism in the city.
Key points
- First look at Sánchez's wedding dress
- Everything we know about Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s opulent Venice wedding as protests continue
- The best and worst celebrity outfits from across the three-day celebration
- Full list of every celebrity in attendance
- Sánchez’s $4 million diamond ring
Bezos slammed for lavish wedding spending
Thursday 26 June 2025 17:45
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Caitlin Hornik
Amazon founder Bezos has an estimated $231 billion net worth.
The nuptials are rumored to cost between $10 and $20 million. That breaks down to about $50,000 per guest, with an expected attendance of about 200.
Many have noted that if Bezos can afford a luxurious wedding without making a dent in his net worth, he could also increase the benefits for Amazon workers.
“If he can afford to do that, he can afford a wealth tax and to pay Amazon workers a living wage. Hello?” one person wrote on X.
“If Jeff Bezos can afford to rent Venice for his wedding then he can afford to pay more taxes,” another wrote.
Even politicians have weighed in on the controversy.
This is oligarchy. This is obscene.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 24, 2025
While 60% live paycheck to paycheck & kids go hungry, Jeff Bezos, worth $230 billion, goes to Venice on his $500 million yacht for a $20 million wedding & spends $5 million on a ring while his real tax rate is just 1.1%.
End this oligarchy.
What will Lauren Sánchez wear on her big day?
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Lauren Sánchez isn’t one to shy away from the spotlight at major events.
She received big-time backlash over her outfit choice at Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year when she shed a white, fur coat to reveal a white Alexander McQueen suit — and a visible white lace bustier instead of a blouse.
So it begs the question, what will she wear to marry Amazon founder Jeff Bezos?
Sánchez already opted for a vintage McQueen design this week, stepping out with Bezos in a black, tight-fitting floor-length dress with white sequin stripes on Wednesday.
She could easily opt for another McQueen design — though it’s been rumored that a fashion stylist specializing in corsets, and an executive from Dolce & Gabbana are on the guest list, indicating she’s gone in another direction.
A corset design does seem likely given how often she opts for the style for big events, including her recent star-studded Paris bachelorette.
Nearly 100 private jets expected to land near Venice
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:15
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Caitlin Hornik
With the wedding festivities set to kick off in a matter of hours, celebrities who scored an invite to the social wedding of the year are flocking to Venice.
Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that over 90 private jets are set to land at Venice’s Marco Polo airport.
In addition, The New York Times reported that nine yachts associated with the wedding will be docked in Venice during the week, per a local yachting operator’s representative, indicating that some of the high-profile attendees might be arriving by boat.
While several A-listers — like Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, and Tom Brady — have already been seen, dozens of other rumored attendees may still be en route.
Venice mayor defends luxe nuptials
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:30
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Caitlin Hornik
Despite the protests from locals and environmental groups, the city’s mayor has defended the decision for Bezos and Sanchez to hold their wedding in Venice.
“We will always respect the right to speak out, but we reject every form of intolerance and prejudice,” Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in Thursday’s edition of Italian newspaper Il Foglio Quotidiano, per The Associated Press.
“No one in Venice can claim the right of deciding who can enter, who can love, who can celebrate.”
According to the publication, Bezos has donated 1 million euros each to three environmental groups who work to preserve the city of Venice.
Orlando Bloom spotted with mystery woman
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:45
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Caitlin Hornik
Orlando Bloom has been spotted getting into a water taxi with a mystery woman amid reports that his engagement to Katy Perry has ended.
Clad in a white suit, Bloom flashed a peace sign to onlookers who have gathered for the Bezos-Sánchez festivities.
It’s not clear who the woman behind him was nor if they were attending the celebration as a pair.
Bezos and Sánchez turn heads leaving luxury hotel
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:50
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Caitlin Hornik
The bride and groom have been spotted en route to Thursday night’s wedding celebration.
Bezos, clad in sunglasses, was all smiles leaving the Aman Hotel with Sánchez, who opted for quite the look in an hourglass style dress.
Tom Brady boards water taxi
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:55
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Caitlin Hornik
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady opted for dark slacks, a crisp white shirt, sunglasses, and a tan jacket draped over his arm.
Bezos and Sánchez acknowledge his lookalike
Thursday 26 June 2025 18:58
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Caitlin Hornik
Cagdas Halicilar of Germany is a professional Jeff Bezos lookalike. He was pictured in Venice earlier today and apparently caught the attention of the soon-to-be newlyweds on their way to Thursday night’s celebration.
Bezos flashed Halicilar a huge grin and a thumbs up, while Sánchez pointed and grinned.
Gayle King, Bill Gates arrive in Venice
Thursday 26 June 2025 19:05
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Caitlin Hornik
CBS correspondent Gayle King and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates are the latest celebrities to arrive in Venice.
King and Sánchez soared to space earlier this year on Bezos’s Blue Origin flight. The two, along with Katy Perry, were part of the space tourism company’s first all-female flight crew.
King’s long-time friend Oprah Winfrey arrived for the nuptials earlier in the day.
Gates attended the couple’s engagement party on Bezos's $550 million superyacht Koru in 2023.
He was seen alone at the Venice airport. His girlfriend, Paige Hurd, has not yet been seen in the country.
DJ Kygo to perform at wedding
Thursday 26 June 2025 19:15
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Caitlin Hornik
Norwegian DJ and record producer Kygo is performing at one of the wedding events, TMZ reported.
Kygo is a close friend of Bezos and Sánchez, according to the outlet.
His songs include "It Ain't Me” with Selena Gomez and a cover of "Higher Love.”
Two of Kygo’s collaborators, Parson James and Justin Jesso were spotted in Venice earlier in the week, indicating they could be on hand to perform alongside the DJ.
Kygo’s rumored performance is the latest detail reveal as the big day approaches.
Caitlin Hornik reports:
Kim, Khloe, and Kris on the canal
Thursday 26 June 2025 19:30
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Caitlin Hornik
Kim and Khloe Kardashian have been spotted in a Venetian water taxi with their mom, Kris Jenner, and her boyfriend, Corey Gamble.
Jenner appeared to be directing a photo shoot for her two daughters, who both had their arms up giving peace signs along with their signature pouts.
Leonardo DiCaprio arrives clad in baseball cap
Thursday 26 June 2025 19:45
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Caitlin Hornik
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio showed up to the wedding festivities in a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap.
Trying to fly under the radar, DiCaprio opted for a navy blue suit and tan shirt with the black ball cap.
He was pictured arriving in Venice earlier wearing the hat and a black face mask, with a hooded sweatshirt pulled around his head.
More royal arrivals in Venice
Thursday 26 June 2025 20:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Jordan's Princess Rajwa, Crown Prince of Jordan Hussein bin Abdullah, and their daughter Iman Bint Hussein have all arrived in Venice.
Their arrivals follow Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, who was seen at Marco Polo Airport on Thursday.
Bezos visited Jordan in 2016 and met with King Abdullah II, alongside Queen Rania, at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman. Their discussions focused on promoting Jordan as a tech and business hub.
Kylie and Kendall Jenner arrive
Thursday 26 June 2025 20:15
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Caitlin Hornik
More members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan have made their way to Venice.
Sisters Kylie and Kendall have been seen getting into a water taxi en route to the first night of celebrations for the big wedding.
Both wearing floral designs, Kendall opted for a pink and white dress while Kylie, clad in sunglasses, wore a yellow hue.
They’re sure to join mom Kris Jenner and sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian at the evening’s events.
A closer look at Lauren Sánchez's dress
Thursday 26 June 2025 20:30
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Caitlin Hornik
Lauren Sánchez was seen leaving the luxurious Aman Hotel and getting into a water taxi en route to the first big celebration of the week.
She wore a corset-style strapless Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown from the designer’s Spring-Summer 2025 collection.
The gown is described on the designer’s website as a “satin duchess embroidered with flowers and emblematic codes of the Maison in traditional satin stitch and pale gold beagle fringes, enhanced with a corset fully covered in pale gold beagle beads and laced at the back.”
Her hair was pulled back, leaving some face framing pieces, and she completed the look with simple earrings.
Those following along at home did not appear to be fans of the look.
“The top should have been more tailored. It looks like a curtain valance,” one person wrote on X, while another said: “I wonder if the carpet matches the drapes.”
Bezos and Sánchez may already be married
Thursday 26 June 2025 20:45
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Caitlin Hornik
A new report from the Daily Mail indicated the couple may have been married a month ago.
“The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law,” the unnamed source close to the organization of the Venice wedding told the Mail.
“Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning,” the source continued.
Oprah waves to the crowd
Thursday 26 June 2025 21:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Oprah Winfrey has appeared leaving the Gritti Palace Hotel where many celebrities attending the wedding seem to be staying.
Clad in a dress with side cut outs, Winfrey waved to onlookers as she boarded a water taxi.
As expected, Winfrey, 71, made it to the Venice Marco Polo airport Thursday for the major fête. The TV host had celebrated the happy couple at their November 2023 engagement party, so it was unlikely she was going to miss the real thing.
She was flanked by her longtime friend, Gayle King, who opted to wear a bright yellow floral dress.
Best and worst looks roundup
Thursday 26 June 2025 21:15
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Caitlin Hornik
As celebrities continue to descend upon Venice for the Bezos-Sánchez wedding extravaganza, The Independent is keeping a close eye on the best and worst fashion moments.
Several looks from the bride, as well as from guests Kim Kardashian and Orlando Bloom, have already made our list.
Amber Raiken reports:
Bezos and Sánchez are keeping details closely guarded
Thursday 26 June 2025 21:30
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Caitlin Hornik
A new report from Page Six indicated that the couple aren’t spilling the details of their wedding event location.
In fact, sources said the couple simply told their guests when to board water taxis without telling them much else.
“The guests don’t know the locations,” the source told the publication. “They were given times and no details. They just get taken there.”
Many A-listers have been spotted departing the Gritti Palace Hotel in water taxis en route to Thursday night’s celebration.
Bezos and Sánchez 'sent guests mood boards'
Thursday 26 June 2025 21:45
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Caitlin Hornik
A new report from Page Six revealed that while Bezos and Sánchez are keeping tight-lipped about certain details, they did manage to send guests mood boards to help them determine what to wear.
A source told the publication the boards were meant to serve as inspiration for each night’s event with examples provided.
But as guests boarded water taxis to Thursday evening’s festivities, a vast array of looks were being served. If there was a theme for the night, it wasn’t immediately clear.
Sánchez herself opted for a haute couture look that vaguely resembled a lampshade.
Kim Kardashian wore a tight-fitting snakeskin print dress, while her younger siblings, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, opted for florals.
More Venice arrivals
Thursday 26 June 2025 22:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Model Karlie Kloss had landed in Venice.
Kloss, who is pregnant with her third child, was seen in a black top with an oversized cream hat with a black stripe. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore black sunglasses.
Her husband, Jared Kushner’s brother Joshua, wasn’t with her as she exited a water taxi, according to multiple reports.
It’s unclear if he’ll join her for the wedding festivities.
But Kloss will surely be fine if she has to go it alone knowing her brother-in-law Jared and sister-in-law, Ivanka Trump, are also in Venice.
We’re keeping tabs on the latest celebrity arrivals in Venice as the Bezos-Sánchez celebrations continue.
Inga Parkel reports:
Bezos and Sánchez have reportedly signed a prenup
Thursday 26 June 2025 22:15
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Caitlin Hornik
Not only are Bezos and Sánchez already married — they’ve also signed a massive prenup, according to reports.
A Page Six report indicated that the couple, who mainly live in Florida, signed the agreement and were wed in a ceremony in the United States before jetting off to Italy for their luxurious nuptials.
One divorce attorney told the outlet: “They can get married anywhere as their prenup would generally be drafted to include its enforceability everywhere.”
“Divorce can only happen in the state of the primary residence,” added the Florida attorney. “So if they live in Florida, no matter where they marry or what the prenup says, they would have to divorce in Florida.
“Likewise, if they left Florida and moved to New York as a primary residence they would have to divorce in NY. A prenup cannot confer jurisdiction on a state to grant a divorce without residency in that state.”
Onlookers react to Bezos-Sánchez wedding
Thursday 26 June 2025 22:30
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Caitlin Hornik
Those following the pomp and circumstance of the Bezos-Sánchez wedding from afar have commented on the extravaganza.
“The extravagance of this Jeff Bezos wedding ceremony is embarrassing to have to watch. Imagine how many children he could feed...” one person wrote on X.
Commenting on the exorbitant wealth on display, someone else said: “Some 100 private jets will fly to Venice for Jeff Bezos' wedding, and I recycle yoghurt cup lids.”
The extravagance of this Jeff Bezos wedding ceremony is embarrassing to have to watch. Imagine how many children he could feed...
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) June 26, 2025
Bezos's gift to Sánchez revealed
Thursday 26 June 2025 23:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Jeff Bezos has reportedly gifted Lauren Sánchez a necklace worth whopping $3-5 million.
According to a Page Six report, she’ll likely be sporting the new accessory during the wedding weekend.
“It’s a diamond necklace that circles her neck with a large center stone and matching earrings,” a source told the publication.
“You won’t be able to miss this elegant diamond necklace as it’s almost as massive as Jeff’s superyacht,” the source continued. “Lauren is thrilled with her blinding new necklace and earrings that take her already impressive collection up several notches.”
Bezos proposed in 2023 with a 20-carat, $2.5 million pink diamond ring aboard his $500 million luxury superyacht, Koru.
Kris Jenner and boyfriend Corey Gamble are all smiles
Friday 27 June 2025 00:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Kris Jenner and her boyfriend Corey Gamble were spotted smiling as they sailed on the Venice canals to Thursday night’s welcome party.
Gamble, 44, arrived solo at the Venice Marco Polo airport on Wednesday.
Jenner, 69, later turned up with daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
Two of her other daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, appeared Thursday for the welcome party.
How much will the wedding cost?
Friday 27 June 2025 01:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto regional government that comprises Venice, said the Bezos-Sánchez wedding was expected to cost between $46.5 and $55.6 million.
That’s 40-48 million euros.
Initial estimates put the cost between $10 and $20 million.
Regardless, any amount in that ballpark remains unlikely to make a dent in Bezos’s $231 billion net worth.
How many water taxis are being used?
Friday 27 June 2025 02:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Wedding organizers reportedly booked at least 30 water taxis from different companies, according to Reuters.
The issue of reserving water taxis for wedding guests was a hot topic among locals protesting the nuptials.
Protesters were also fuming over the reported 90 private jets slated to land in Venice for the wedding, as well as the five luxury hotels booked for guests’ use.
Sánchez's dress draws strong opinions
Friday 27 June 2025 03:00
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Caitlin Hornik
For the first official night of wedding celebrations, Sánchez stepped out in a Schiaparelli haute couture gown.
The corseted dress features a strapless design with floral embroidery and embellishments.
But onlookers were quick to draw a comparison between the look and various home decor.
“Kinda looks like my curtains,” one person wrote on X.
“Is she wearing a lampshade?” another asked.
“I repeat, money can’t buy you taste,” someone else chimed in.
Some were kinder, noting the craftsmanship of the dress.
But many people commented on how uncomfortable she looked.
“Love the silhouette and colors on her but she looks akward [sic],” someone said.
“Can she breathe? She looks awkward,” another shared.
I repeat, money can’t buy you taste
— Morally Corrupt Fayg Resnick (@DOOOORinda) June 26, 2025
Ivanka Trump is 'ready to celebrate'
Friday 27 June 2025 04:00
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Caitlin Hornik
In a new Instagram post, Ivanka Trump said she was “ready to celebrate the love story of our friends,” tagging Bezos and Sánchez.
Clad in a pink ombre textured minidress adorned with flowers, Trump posed with her husband, Jared Kushner.
Bezos and Sánchez show affection in Venice
Friday 27 June 2025 05:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Lovebirds Bezos and Sánchez showed off in front of the cameras while heading to Thursday night’s welcome party.
They posed and smiled for onlookers and even shared a kiss.
Thursday's top-secret bash was 'no phone zone'
Friday 27 June 2025 06:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Multiple reports indicate that Thursday evening’s welcome party was a phone-free zone.
Guests were reportedly told when to take a water taxi, but weren’t told where they were headed.
Details of the location have been kept closely guarded, though it’s believed to be an island.
But guests reportedly had to hand over their phones before entering, so we might not know immediately what transpired during the party.
When did Bezos and Sánchez get engaged?
Friday 27 June 2025 07:00
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Caitlin Hornik
Bezos proposed in May 2023 with a 20-carat, $2.5 million pink diamond ring aboard his
