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From June 26th to 28th, the ancient canal city of Venice became the focus of global media attention as it hosted the "wedding of the century" between billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former journalist Lauren Sánchez. The three-day event was not only breathtakingly luxurious but also transformed the tranquil canals into a veritable "floating red carpet," with a host of A-list celebrities flocking to offer their blessings, creating an unprecedented spectacle.
From the very first days of the event series, the atmosphere in Venice was hotter than ever with the dense presence of illustrious names from the entertainment, political, and financial worlds. From television legend Oprah Winfrey, "media queen" Kim Kardashian and the powerful Jenner-Kardashian family (Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian), to Hollywood superstars Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, and many other billionaires and influential figures such as Ivanka Trump, Barry Diller, and designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Katy Perry... The gathering of approximately 200-250 VIP guests turned every water taxi ride and every corner of the ancient city into an impromptu fashion runway.
Many big stars gathered at the "wedding of the century".
Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner
Ivanka Trump and her husband also attended the wedding.
Bride Lauren Sánchez particularly captivated everyone's attention as she waved in a stunning metallic corset dress made of brocade, from Schiaparelli's Spring/Summer 2025 haute couture collection. The power couple were transported by private water taxi to the luxurious Aman Hotel – where they stayed and enjoyed three days of celebration.
The bride "leads the fashion race" with her luxurious dress.
A series of exclusive venues dedicated solely to wedding ceremonies.
Although details of the wedding were kept secret until the last minute, the few pieces of information revealed by Reuters and local authorities have given a glimpse into the unprecedented scale of the event. Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, estimated the cost of the entire three-day wedding could reach 40-48 million euros (approximately 1.223 - 1.468 billion VND), a colossal sum that confirms the status of the ultra-rich.
The venues for the event and the accommodations for the guests were all extremely luxurious.
Yachts are flocking to Venice for this massive event.
The venues were also carefully selected to ensure exclusivity and historical beauty. The first reception took place at the Madonna dell'Orto Abbey – an ancient church bearing the artistic imprint of the 16th-century painter Tintoretto. The official wedding ceremony is scheduled for June 28th at Arsenale, a historic area that was once a military shipyard of the Republic of Venice from the 15th century, holding special significance in terms of heritage and power. Another reception will also be held on Saturday, with the location kept secret until the last minute.
Accordingly, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will hold their first reception at the Madonna dell'Orto convent.
To accommodate the star-studded guest list, at least five of Venice's most luxurious hotels were booked, including Cipriani – the venue for the wedding of actor George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin. Logistics were also maximized: over 90 private jets landed at Venice, Treviso, and Verona airports during the wedding week, and around 30 luxury water taxis were deployed continuously to transport guests, completely replacing public transport.
A panoramic view of the Aman Hotel in Venice during the wedding preparations.
However, amidst the lavish festive atmosphere, not all Venetians welcomed the event. A segment of the population and social activists voiced their opposition, arguing that the wedding was a clear symbol of the super-rich "occupying public space" and "manipulating" the city for personal gain.
Activists from the international environmental organization Greenpeace displayed a giant banner in St. Mark's Square in Venice on June 23rd that read, "If you can rent Venice for a wedding, then you can also pay extra taxes."
Typical examples include an activist climbing a pole in St. Mark's Square, holding a powerful banner that read: "1% are destroying the world." Even an effigy of Jeff Bezos holding the familiar Amazon box was floated down the canal as a subtle and satirical protest. Another group unfurled a large banner along the square with Bezos's image and a scathing message: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more taxes." These actions not only express discontent but also raise questions about the impact of this ultra-luxurious event on the local community and larger social issues.
Before their lavish wedding, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's relationship began in 2016 when they met through Sánchez's ex-husband, Patrick Whitesell. However, their relationship was only officially made public in January 2019, after both announced their separation from their respective partners.
