On June 26, 2025, Venice, Italy, became the backdrop for one of the most talked-about events of the year: the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez.
Described as a multimillion-dollar affair, the three-day celebration was a star-studded spectacle that drew the ultra-rich and famous to the historic city.
From A-list celebrities to opulent venues, here’s a closer look at the wedding that captivated headlines and sparked conversations worldwide.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The guest list read like a who’s who of Hollywood, business, and high society, with around 200 notable attendees. Among the celebrities spotted were Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, and Ivanka Trump.
The presence of such high-profile figures underscored the couple’s extensive network and influence, turning the event into a magnet for media attention.
Social media buzzed with photos of celebrities arriving in Venice, with some posts humorously ranking guests by their apparent happiness at the event.
A Three-Day Extravaganza
The wedding festivities spanned three days, blending luxury with a touch of whimsy. Reports highlighted a pajama-themed party as part of the celebrations, showcasing a playful side to the otherwise extravagant affair.
The main ceremony took place on June 26, with additional events that kept Venice abuzz. Lauren Sánchez, radiant in a jaw-dropping corset gown, was photographed alongside Bezos, who reportedly lost 25 pounds at age 61 to prepare for the occasion, transforming his look for the big day.
The couple’s choice of Venice as the venue added a layer of romance and history. However, the event wasn’t without controversy. Local protests, including actions by groups like Extinction Rebellion, criticized the wedding’s impact on Venice’s overtourism issues.
Some reports noted that the original venue plans were altered due to these concerns, reflecting the delicate balance between spectacle and local sentiment.
Fashion Highlights and Lowlights
Fashion was a major talking point, with media outlets dissecting the best and worst-dressed attendees. Lauren Sánchez’s corset dress, captured in stunning photographs, stole the show, while other celebrities’ outfits sparked debate.
Outlets like Daily Mail published lists of the “best dressed” and “worst dressed,” with names like François-Henri Pinault, worth $18.5 billion, making appearances alongside critiques of their style choices. The fashion frenzy added to the event’s allure, as guests competed to make bold statements on the global stage.
Controversies and Speculations
The wedding wasn’t without its share of drama. Earlier reports from late 2024 claimed Bezos was planning a $600 million wedding in Aspen, Colorado, a rumor he debunked on X, calling out “fake news.”
Posts on X from December 2024 fueled speculation about the wedding’s cost and timing, with some users criticizing Bezos for the lavish spending amid Amazon’s labor disputes.
These earlier narratives contrasted with the eventual Venice setting, suggesting the couple navigated significant planning changes, possibly due to prenup issues or public backlash.
Critics also pointed to the wedding’s tone-deaf excess, with MSNBC describing it as an “exercise in extravagance” at a time of global economic and environmental challenges.
Despite this, many attendees and observers celebrated the event as a historic moment, with some calling it the “wedding of the century.”
Personal Touches and Family Moments
Lauren Sánchez’s children played a significant role in the wedding, adding a heartfelt touch to the proceedings. Bezos and Sánchez, who went public with their relationship in 2019 and got engaged in 2023, blended their families into the celebration, emphasizing their commitment to each other and their loved ones.
These personal elements softened the event’s larger-than-life image, reminding onlookers of the human connection at its core.
A Venice Farewell
As the celebrations concluded, celebrities were spotted leaving Venice, their departures as headline-grabbing as their arrivals.
The city, already a magnet for tourists, seemed unfazed by the influx of wealth and fame, with some locals expressing indifference to the spectacle.
One insider noted, “I was shocked how little locals cared,” highlighting Venice’s resilience in the face of such high-profile events.
Final Thoughts
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding was more than a union—it was a cultural moment that sparked admiration, envy, and debate.
From the glittering guest list to the lavish details, the event encapsulated the couple’s larger-than-life persona. Yet, it also raised questions about wealth, excess, and the impact of such spectacles on historic cities like Venice.
Whether you view it as a historic celebration or a display of tone-deaf opulence, one thing is certain: the Bezos-Sánchez wedding will be remembered as a defining event of 2025.
For more details on the guest list and fashion highlights, check out coverage from BuzzFeed and Daily Mail. Stay tuned for more updates on this unforgettable wedding as new details emerge