The grand wedding festivities of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez reached their peak on Friday night when Ms. Sánchez announced their marriage via an Instagram post. She looked jubilant in a stunning white lace gown, standing next to Mr. Bezos, who donned a classic tuxedo. The couple, along with approximately 200 elegantly dressed guests, celebrated their union on San Giorgio Island, an idyllic spot overlooking the historic Doge Palace, accessed via motorboat earlier that evening.
As night fell, a wave of cheers erupted from a nearby island, while Matteo Bocelli, son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, performed a heartfelt love ballad, setting a romantic mood for the event. This lavish wedding marks the second marriage for both Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post, and Sánchez, who are known as high-profile figures in the tech and entertainment industries.
The opulent three-day celebration in Venice has drawn significant attention, as well as some discussion due to its extravagant nature. Vogue magazine showcased the newlyweds on its latest cover, highlighting Ms. Sánchez dressed in a bespoke creation by Dolce & Gabbana.
The star-studded guest list included a mix of friends, family, and icons from various fields, arriving on private jets and luxury yachts. Among them were familiar faces such as Oprah Winfrey, Barry Diller, as well as members of the Kardashian and Jenner families. Hollywood stars like Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio also made an appearance, while the music industry was represented by the likes of Usher and Jewel. Notably, former NFL star Tom Brady was part of the festivities, along with prominent tech figures such as Bill Gates and Sam Altman.
While the wedding took a light political turn, with some attendees being affiliated with the Trump administration, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were spotted among the elite guest list. However, former President Trump himself did not attend.
The celebrations kicked off on Thursday with a gathering at the Madonna dell'Orto cloister, though a sudden thunderstorm briefly interrupted the festivities. With plans for a continuation of the celebration on Saturday at a former shipyard complex in Venice, the world eagerly watches as the couple embarks on their new journey together.
