In a highly anticipated event, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, is expected to marry Lauren Sanchez, a multi-talented journalist, author, and helicopter pilot, this week. The couple, who have been together for approximately five years and got engaged in 2023, will celebrate their union in the romantic city of Venice, Italy. This lavish wedding is set to be a multi-day affair, attended by close family and friends, making it one of the most talked-about nuptials of the year.
According to an exclusive report from ABC News, a portion of the wedding invitation sent to guests in May has been revealed. The invitation features a unique request, asking attendees to forgo traditional wedding gifts. Instead, it encourages guests to contribute to three local Venetian charities, which Bezos and Sanchez plan to support with donations made in honor of their guests.
While the exact date of the Bezos-Sanchez wedding remains under wraps, media sources suggest it could take place between June 24-26 or June 26-28, as reported by The Associated Press and The New York Times. The couple will exchange vows in the capital of the Veneto region, though the specific wedding venue has not been disclosed to the public.
In a nod to the local economy, Sanchez and Bezos are reportedly utilizing around 80% of local Venetian vendors and businesses for their wedding preparations. According to the Associated Press, this includes renowned pastry maker Rosa Salva, which boasts over 140 years in the industry, and glassware company Laguna B, celebrated for its exquisite Murano glass creations.
The high-profile wedding has sparked protests under the banner "No Space for Bezos," with local residents and organizations, including Greenpeace, voicing their concerns over issues like over-tourism and the disruption of everyday life. A Greenpeace protester, Simona Abbate, stated, "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax. We think that one big billionaire can't rent a city for his pleasure." Despite the protests, the mayor of Venice has publicly welcomed the couple, expressing pride in hosting such an illustrious event.
The wedding planners, Lanza and Baucina, who previously organized the wedding of George and Amal Clooney in 2014, assured the public that they are committed to minimizing disruption to the city and respecting its residents while employing local talent for the event's execution.
The guest list for the Bezos-Sanchez wedding is expected to feature around 200 notable attendees. Among the celebrities likely to be present are Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Katy Perry, who notably traveled to space alongside Sanchez on a Blue Origin flight in April. Other high-profile guests may include members of the Kardashian family, such as Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian, along with actress Eva Longoria, who celebrated Sanchez during a bachelorette party in Paris earlier this year.
Both Bezos and Sanchez have histories of prior relationships. Bezos gained public attention in January 2019 when he announced his divorce from ex-wife MacKenzie Scott after 25 years of marriage, during which they welcomed four children. Meanwhile, Sanchez was previously married to talent agent and businessman Patrick Whitesell for 14 years. The former couple filed for divorce in April 2019 and share two children. Additionally, Sanchez is the mother of model Nikko Gonzalez, from a previous relationship with former NFL tight end Tony Gonzalez.
As the wedding approaches, all eyes are on this celebrity couple, and the world eagerly awaits to see how their love story unfolds in the enchanting backdrop of Venice.
