Celebrities and protesters converge on Venice for Bezos and Sánchez wedding
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Kardashians, critics and copycats kick off €40m Bezos wedding bash
The world’s rich and famous have arrived in Venice for the three-day wedding bash hosted by the Amazon billionaire, Jeff Bezos. The US reality TV personalities Kim and Khloé Kardashian were spotted clambering into water taxis in stilettos. Kris Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and Jordan’s Queen Rania are also on the guest list. More than 90 private jets flew guests to Marco Polo airport for what has been described as ‘the wedding of the century’ and others have arrived on their super-yachts. Venice authorities have tightened security across the city, with pedestrians and water traffic banned from the area of the festivities from 4.30pm local time until midnight. Protests have raged for weeks in the run-up to the wedding, which critics say threatens to turn the Unesco world heritage site into a playground for the rich. The bride and groom arrived by helicopter on Wednesday and have been lodging at the seven-star Aman hotel, where George and Amal Clooney stayed in 2014.
The US reality TV personalities Kim and Khloé Kardashian were spotted clambering into water taxis in stilettos, while Kris Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and Jordan’s Queen Rania have also been seen.
Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, was among the first of the 200 or so guests to arrive and has been spending the pre-wedding downtime sightseeing and shopping despite the stifling heat.
View image in fullscreen Khloé Kardashian is also on the guest list. Photograph: Matteo Chinellato/ipa-agency.net/Shutterstock
More than 90 private jets flew guests to Marco Polo airport for what has been described as “the wedding of the century”, while others have arrived on their super-yachts.
Bezos, the fourth richest person in the world, and Sánchez, a former TV journalist, kicked off the celebrations with a party on Thursday night in the cloisters of the Madonna dell’Orto, a 14th-century church in the Cannaregio area that is home to masterpieces by the Italian Renaissance painter Tintoretto.
By early evening, a bridge leading to the front of the church had been blocked off by private security guards while police stood close by, their six helmets balanced on riot shields.
Music blared and a small corridor of black screens helped guest arrive anonymously as they stepped off water taxis.
Among them was DiCaprio, wearing a dark baseball cap pulled low.
The Venice authorities have tightened security across the city, with pedestrians and water traffic banned from the area of Thursday night’s festivities from 4.30pm local time until midnight in an attempt to thwart protesters who had threatened to ruin the party.
View image in fullscreen Queen Rania of Jordan touches down in the lagoon city. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
The nuptials are said to be costing €40m-€48m (£34m-£41m).
The bride and groom arrived in Venice by helicopter on Wednesday and have been lodging at the seven-star Aman hotel, where George and Amal Clooney stayed during their wedding in 2014. Rooms with a view of the Grand canal go for at least €4,000 a night.
View image in fullscreen The bride and groom to be, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, outside the Aman hotel, where they are staying for the celebratory weekend. Photograph: Andrea Merola/EPA
The couple were seen leaving the hotel at around dinner time, with Sánchez wearing a vintage Alexander McQueen dress – one of 27 outfits reportedly packed for the occasion.
Cagdas Halicilar, a German professional Jeff Bezos lookalike, has been making the most of baffling the crowds as he posed for photos close to the Aman hotel and later headed over to the area where the party was under way.
View image in fullscreen Demonstrators, including a pair on stilts dressed as a bride and groom, gather in St Mark’s Square to protest against the wedding. Photograph: Andrea Merola/EPA
Protests have raged for weeks in the run-up to the wedding, which critics say threatens to turn the Unesco world heritage site, already swamped by millions of tourists each year, into a playground for the rich.
View image in fullscreen A professional lookalike of the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Cagdas Halicilar, soaks up the excitement. Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP
Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, said the couple had raised their donation to a project that studies the city’s lagoon system from €1m to €2m.
Bezos and Sánchez will reportedly exchange their vows on Friday at a black-tie ceremony on the tiny island of San Giorgio Maggiore, where they will be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, the son of the famed opera singer Andrea Bocelli. The island is home to a basilica filled with artistic gems, including Tintoretto’s The Last Supper, an amphitheatre and a kilometre-long maze.
View image in fullscreen A mannequin resembling Jeff Bezos floats in a canal, as part of the protests against the billionaire hosting his wedding in the city. Photograph: Click News/AP
The main wedding reception is expected to be held on Saturday in the Arsenale, a historic complex of shipyards surrounded by fortified walls. The big party was supposed to take place in a 16th-century building in the centre of the city but was switched due to security concerns.
Over the coming days, the celebrations will reportedly include a pyjama party, a foam party and a Great Gatsby-theme event.
Celebrities converge on Venice for Bezos-Sanchez wedding gala
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez began three days of lavish wedding celebrations in Venice on June 26. 200-250 A-listers from show business, politics and finance are expected to take part in what has been widely dubbed “wedding of the century” The event has stirred a debate about its impact on one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with protesters seeing it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-rich outsiders. Some have speculated that the couple have already legally wed in the United States, sparing them from the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage. They are set to exchange vows on June 27 on the small island of San Giorgio, opposite St Mark’s Square, in a ceremony which, according to a senior City Hall official, will have no legal status under Italian law. Local residents say high-end events, rather than multitudes of low-spending daytrippers, are a better way to support the local economy.
VENICE – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez began three days of lavish wedding celebrations in Venice on June 26 with tight security shielding their VIP guests from protesters.
Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom and the Queen of Jordan were among the latest arrivals, joining Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner and Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who showed up on June 24, have used the extra time for sightseeing and shopping.
Some 200-250 A-listers from show business, politics and finance are expected to take part in what has been widely dubbed “wedding of the century”, estimated to cost around US$50 million (S$63 million).
The event has stirred a debate about its impact on one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with protesters seeing it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-rich outsiders, but others enjoying the spectacle and the spending.
An activist climbed one of the poles in the main St Mark’s Square on June 26, unfurling a banner with the words “The 1 per cent ruins the world” to protest against the presence of the billionaire Bezos in Venice.
Guests were gathering on June 26 evening in the cloisters of Madonna dell’Orto, a medieval church in the central district of Cannaregio that hosts masterpieces by 16th century painter Tintoretto.
The city council banned pedestrians and water traffic from the area from 4.30pm (10.30pm, Singapore time) until midnight, to provide security and seclusion for the partygoers.
Actor Orlando Bloom gestures as he leaves Gritti Palace Hotel on June 26. PHOTO: REUTERS
Luxury canalside hotel
Mr Bezos, 61, and Ms Sanchez, 55, landed in Venice via helicopter on June 25 and took up residence in the luxury Aman hotel, where rooms with a view of the Grand Canal go for at least €4,000 euros (S$5,962) per night.
They are set to exchange vows on June 27 on the small island of San Giorgio, opposite St Mark’s Square, in a ceremony which, according to a senior City Hall official, will have no legal status under Italian law.
Some have speculated that the couple have already legally wed in the United States, sparing them from the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage.
Celebrations will conclude on June 28 with the main wedding bash to be held at one of the halls of the Arsenale, a vast former medieval shipyard turned into an art space in the eastern Castello district.
The “No Space for Bezos” movement is planning further demonstrations against an event they see as a sell-off of Venice, but by no means are all the locals hostile.
Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian stand on a boat, ahead of the anticipated wedding. PHOTO: REUTERS
Money-spinner
Politicians, hoteliers and other residents say high-end events, rather than multitudes of low-spending daytrippers, are a better way to support the local economy, and dismiss the protesters as a fringe minority.
“If you look at what concretely the Bezos wedding brings for the good of Venice, there are only advantages and no disadvantages,” Mr Mattia Brandi, a local tour leader, told Reuters.
“If anything is different, it is because of the protesters … They don’t realise that it is them who are disrupting the quiet life of the city,” he added.
Michael Kives and producer Brian Grazer stand at Gritti Palace Hotel ahead of the anticipated wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice on June 26. PHOTO: REUTERS
Venice has hosted scores of VIP weddings. US actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin tied the knot there in 2014, and Indian billionaires Vinita Agarwal and Muqit Teja did so in 2011, without significant disruptions.
Mr Bezos, executive chair of e-commerce giant Amazon and No. 4 on Forbes’ billionaires list, got engaged to Ms Sanchez in 2023, four years after the collapse of his 25-year marriage to Ms MacKenzie Scott. REUTERS
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Celebrities converge on Venice for Bezos-Sanchez wedding gala
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez begin three days of lavish wedding celebrations in Venice. 200-250 A-listers from show business, politics and finance are expected to take part in what has been widely dubbed “wedding of the century” The event has stirred a debate about its impact on one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Protesters see it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-rich outsiders, but others enjoying the spectacle and the spending. The couple are set to exchange vows on Friday on the small island of San Giorgio, opposite St Mark’s Square, in a ceremony which, according to a senior City Hall official, will have no legal status under Italian law. The city council banned pedestrians and water traffic from the area from 4.30pm until midnight, to provide security and seclusion.
Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom and the Queen of Jordan were among the latest arrivals, joining Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner and Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who showed up on Tuesday, have used the extra time for sightseeing and shopping.
Some 200-250 A-listers from show business, politics and finance are expected to take part in what has been widely dubbed “wedding of the century”, estimated to cost around US$50 million (S$63.7 million).
The event has stirred a debate about its impact on one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with protesters seeing it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-rich outsiders, but others enjoying the spectacle and the spending.
An activist climbed one of the poles in the main St Mark’s Square on Thursday, unfurling a banner with the words “The 1 per cent ruins the world” to protest against the presence of the billionaire Bezos in Venice.
Guests were gathering on Thursday evening in the cloisters of Madonna dell’Orto, a medieval church in the central district of Cannaregio that hosts masterpieces by 16th century painter Tintoretto.
The city council banned pedestrians and water traffic from the area from 4.30pm until midnight, to provide security and seclusion for the partygoers.
Luxury canalside hotel
Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, landed in Venice via helicopter on Wednesday and took up residence in the luxury Aman hotel, where rooms with a view of the Grand Canal go for at least 4,000 euros (S$5,960) per night.
They are set to exchange vows on Friday on the small island of San Giorgio, opposite St Mark’s Square, in a ceremony which, according to a senior City Hall official, will have no legal status under Italian law.
Some have speculated that the couple have already legally wed in the United States, sparing them from the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage.
Celebrations will conclude on Saturday with the main wedding bash to be held at one of the halls of the Arsenale, a vast former medieval shipyard turned into an art space in the eastern Castello district.
The “No Space for Bezos” movement is planning further demonstrations against an event they see as a sell-off of Venice, but by no means are all the locals hostile.
Money-spinner
Politicians, hoteliers and other residents say high-end events, rather than multitudes of low-spending daytrippers, are a better way to support the local economy, and dismiss the protesters as a fringe minority.
“If you look at what concretely the Bezos wedding brings for the good of Venice, there are only advantages and no disadvantages,” Mattia Brandi, a local tour leader, told Reuters.
“If anything is different, it is because of the protesters … They don’t realise that it is them who are disrupting the quiet life of the city,” he added.
Venice has hosted scores of VIP weddings. US actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin tied the knot there in 2014, and Indian billionaires Vinita Agarwal and Muqit Teja did so in 2011, without significant disruptions.
Bezos, executive chair of e-commerce giant Amazon and No. 4 on Forbes’ billionaires list, got engaged to Sanchez in 2023, four years after the collapse of his 25-year marriage to MacKenzie Scott.
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Celebrities converge on Venice for Bezos-Sanchez wedding gala
Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom and the Queen of Jordan are among the latest arrivals. Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner and Kim and Khloe Kardashian have also arrived. The event has stirred debate about its impact on one of the world’s most iconic cities. Protesters see it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-wealthy outsiders.
Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom and the Queen of Jordan were among the latest arrivals, joining Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner and Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who arrived earlier this week, have used the extra time for sightseeing and shopping.
Some 200 to 250 guests from show business, politics and finance are expected to attend the event, widely dubbed the “wedding of the century” and estimated to cost around US$50 million.
The event has stirred debate about its impact on one of the world’s most iconic cities. Protesters see it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-wealthy outsiders, while others have welcomed the spectacle and the spending.
An activist climbed one of the poles in St Mark’s Square on Thursday, unfurling a banner that read “The 1% ruins the world” in protest against the presence of billionaire Bezos.
Guests gathered on Thursday evening in the cloisters of Madonna dell’Orto, a medieval church in the Cannaregio district that hosts masterpieces by 16th-century painter Tintoretto.
The city council banned pedestrians and water traffic from the area from 4.30pm to midnight, to ensure security and privacy for the attendees.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding guest list: A-listers arrive in Italy to celebrate
The Amazon founder and his fiance, a former news anchor, are getting married in the Floating City in front of about 200 of their closest family and friends. Some of the famous faces expected to attend have already begun to arrive in Italy, like first daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner. Venice locals have been protesting against Bezos ahead of the wedding, with signs posted around the city that read “No space for Bezos” The city, for its part, has denounced the protests and said it welcomes the wedding. The guest lists at Snchez’s Paris bachelorette party and the couple’s two engagement parties may also provide a preview of who will attend the actual nuptials.
Some of the famous faces expected to attend have already begun to arrive in Italy, like first daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner.
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The guest lists at Snchez’s Paris bachelorette party and the couple’s two engagement parties — one on Bezos’ yacht Koru and the other at billionaire Barry Diller and designer Diane von Furstenberg’s Beverly Hills home — may also provide a preview of who will attend the actual nuptials. The previous events included Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Kim Kardashian.
Since Bezos and Snchez’s relationship went public in 2019, they have been a fixture of A-list events, such as the Met Gala, Vanity Fair Oscars Party, and Formula 1 races, often photographed with celebrities, rather than people from the tech world.
Some unwelcome guests are also planning on attending. Venice locals have been protesting against Bezos ahead of the wedding this month, with signs posted around the city that read “No space for Bezos.”
Protest organizers, who have cited concerns with overtourism, have vowed to disrupt the wedding, saying they would potentially try to block access to some venues. The city, for its part, has denounced the protests and said it welcomes the wedding.
Here is the list of wedding guests who have arrived in Venice:
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Spencer Antle, the founder of Island Company
Miguel Bezos, Jeff Bezos’ father
Orlando Bloom
Tom Brady
Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg
Leonardo DiCaprio and Vittoria Ceretti
Fashion designer Domenico Dolce
Ari Emanuel, TKO Holdings CEO, and fashion designer Sarah Staudinger
Former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful
Actress and producer Sarah Foster
NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and October Gonzalez
Imagine Entertainment founder Brian Grazer and Veronica Smiley Grazer
Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger
Author Hugh Howey and Shay Londre
Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy
Kendall Jenner
Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble
Kylie Jenner
Khlo Kardashian
Kim Kardashian
Gayle King
Hollywood super-connector Michael Kives and Lydia Kives
Supermodel Karlie Kloss and investor Josh Kushner
Jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer
Bill Miller, an early Amazon investor
Queen Rania of Jordan
Fox Sports broadcaster Charissa Thompson
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea
Oprah Winfrey
Scooter Braun