Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding is set to be the party of the decade: Inside the lavish preparations

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez are gearing up for what promises to be one of the most lavish weddings of the year. After two years since Bezos proposed to Sánchez with a dazzling 30-carat engagement ring during a European holiday, details are finally emerging about their multi-day celebration, set to begin on June 24 in the romantic city of Venice.

Although the couple has kept many specifics under wraps, reports from the Associated Press reveal a meticulously planned event, expected to blend luxury with respect for Venice’s unique heritage. Sánchez, who spoke about wedding preparations on Today in November 2024, admitted she was approaching the planning process like most brides. Yet, friends and family predict the event will be far from ordinary.

Venetian venue and local support

Venice will play host to the much-anticipated nuptials, dispelling earlier rumours of a $600 million winter wedding in Aspen, Colorado. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro addressed the speculation, stating, "The many speculations and fake news circulating about Jeff Bezos' wedding are completely unfounded." He confirmed the guest list will be limited to 200 people and assured that the event will not disrupt the city.

“We are mutually working and supporting the organisers, to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city,” the mayor added, as reported by People.

Local vendors are playing a significant role in the festivities. According to an update shared with the Associated Press in June 2025, about 80% of the wedding’s provisions will be sourced locally. Rosa Salva, Venice’s oldest pastry maker, is tasked with preparing goodie bags for guests, while Laguna B, a design studio known for its vibrant handblown Murano glass, is also contributing bespoke creations.

The exact venue remains unconfirmed, but speculation includes Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore, and the centuries-old Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a waterfront building well-suited for grand ceremonies.

Star-studded guest list

The wedding is expected to draw a glittering crowd of A-list celebrities and influential figures, echoing the high-profile engagement parties the couple has hosted. In August 2023, Bezos and Sánchez celebrated their engagement aboard Bezos’ yacht with guests including Bill Gates. Later, designer Diane von Furstenberg held a party in their honour in Beverly Hills, attended by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek Pinault, Barbra Streisand, and Robert Pattinson.

According to People, invitations have been sent to Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Karlie Kloss, Joshua Kushner, as well as Sánchez’s close friends Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Fellow Blue Origin space crew members Katy Perry and Gayle King may also attend. The couple will lodge at the Aman hotel on the Grand Canal—where George Clooney and Amal Clooney wed in 2014—and have booked accommodations in other prestigious hotels, including Gritti Palace, the St. Regis, Belmond Cipriani, and Hotel Danieli.

Guests have been asked to forgo traditional gifts and instead make charitable donations. Attendees will reportedly receive goodie bags featuring Venetian glassware from Laguna B and pastries from Rosa Salva.

Event planning

Lanza & Baucina Limited, the renowned boutique event planners behind the Clooneys’ Venetian wedding, have been hired to organise the event. According to Page Six, the firm emphasised its commitment to minimising any disruption to the city, despite protests against over-tourism. They explained that from the very beginning, both their client’s instructions and their own guiding principles focused on minimising disruption to the city, respecting its residents and institutions, and prioritising the employment of local people in organising the events.

They further stated that before the recent protests emerged, they had worked to ensure the event would have minimal negative impact or disruption to the lives of Venetians and visitors. They have always recognised the broader debate and critical issues concerning the city’s future, and their client has been honoured to support Venice and its important lagoon through various non-profit organisations and related projects.

The wedding dress

While Sánchez’s wedding dress designer remains a closely guarded secret, rumours suggest Anna Wintour is advising the bride and has recommended Oscar de la Renta. The couple was seen in March 2025 at a Dolce & Gabbana store in Milan for fittings, indicating the Italian fashion house may also play a role. Sánchez is known to be a regular Dolce & Gabbana wearer and was front-row at the brand’s Alta Moda show in Sardinia, where her son Nikko Gonzalez walked the runway.

Logistics and security

Venice has prepared extensively for the event. Approximately 30 of the city’s elite water taxis have been reserved, alongside gondolas and nine yacht ports. Bezos’ yacht, Koru, along with its escort vessel L’Abeona, are already in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s airspace is closed to drones and unauthorised traffic, but private helicopters have clearance for special security needs, including heads of state.

The Marco Polo airport offers discreet private jet access with direct water taxi connections, allowing high-profile guests to arrive unnoticed.

The wedding date remains unconfirmed, and planners have secured multiple venues around Venice to adapt to weather conditions and ongoing protests. A source close to Venice City Hall told CNN that decisions on when and where events will occur will depend on these unpredictable factors.

Potential venues include the Cini Foundation on San Giorgio Maggiore island, the Aman hotel, and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia. A wedding-style gazebo has been erected near the Excelsior Hotel on Venice Lido, though no plans have been finalised.

Celebrity celebrations and anticipation

Sánchez’s recent bachelorette party in Paris, attended by Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, and Eva Longoria, offers a glimpse into the star power expected at the wedding. The Associated Press also reports invitations extended to Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, and Ivanka Trump.

While the couple’s representatives maintain strict confidentiality, speculation continues to swirl in Venice, with local venues like Harry’s Bar hoping to welcome some of the high-profile guests for a Bellini or two.