Newlyweds Bezos and Sanchez gear up for final party at Venice gala
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez, flush from their Venice wedding ceremony on Friday, were on Saturday gearing up for the final day of partying in the lagoon city with scores of celebrity guests from media, fashion and show business.
The three-day gala, estimated to cost about $50m (R900m), culminated last night with the closing party in a former medieval shipyard where Lady Gaga and Elton John were expected to perform.
Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, exchanged rings on Friday evening on the small island of San Giorgio, across the water from Saint Mark's Square, accompanied by singing from Matteo Bocelli, son of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
The bride at the ceremony wore a high-necked silhouette dress and a tulle and lace veil by Dolce & Gabbana, which she told magazine Vogue was based on the dress worn by Sophia Loren to marry Cary Grant in the 1958 film Houseboat.
Sanchez also wore a pair of diamond earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, which, according to Vogue, were lent to her in keeping with the tradition that it brings good luck for a bride to wear something borrowed.
Bezos, who is No. 4 on Forbes's global billionaires list, donned a black tuxedo and bow tie over a white shirt.
The ceremony had no legal status under Italian law, a senior city hall official said, suggesting the couple may have already legally wed in the US, avoiding the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage.
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TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
Newlyweds Bezos and Sanchez gear up for final party at Venice gala
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez, flush from their Venice wedding ceremony on Friday, were on Saturday gearing up for the final day of partying in the lagoon city with scores of celebrity guests from media, fashion and show business. The three-day gala, estimated to cost about $50m (R900m), culminated last night with the closing party in a former medieval shipyard where Lady Gaga and Elton John were expected to perform. Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, exchanged rings on Friday evening on the small island of San Giorgio, across the water from Saint Mark's Square, accompanied by singing from Matteo Bocelli, son of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The bride at the ceremony wore a high-necked silhouette dress and a tulle and lace veil by Dolce & Gabbana, which she told magazine Vogue was based on the dress worn by Sophia Loren to marry Cary Grant in the 1958 film Houseboat. Sanchez also wore a pair of diamond earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, which, according to Vogue, were lent to her in keeping with the tradition that it brings good luck for a bride to wear something borrowed. Bezos, who is No. 4 on Forbes's global billionaires list, donned a black tuxedo and bow tie over a white shirt. The ceremony had no legal status under Italian law, a senior city hall official said, suggesting the couple may have already legally wed in the US, avoiding the bureaucracy associated with an Italian marriage.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Lauren Sánchez's wedding dress steals the show in Venice
Lauren Sánchez dazzled guests and fashion watchers alike when she wed Jeff Bezos in Venice on Friday. The ceremony, held on the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore, was the centrepiece of a three-day celebration. The ceremony drew in celebrities, royalty, and global attention. Sánchez chose a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown for her wedding. The dress was inspired by the high-necked lace gown worn by Sophia Loren in the 1958 film Houseboat . 'I wanted something that evokes a moment, and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago,' Sánchez, according to Page Six. Lauren Sánchez added, 'I researched pictures of brides in the 1950s. I saw Sophia Loren, and her hands were in a prayer position. She was in high lace, up to the neck, and I said, 'That's it. That's the dress.' The gown featured: A high turtleneck and long sleeves A corseted waist, accentuating Sánchez's figure 180 silk chiffon-covered buttons running from neck to floor Hand-appliquéd Italian lace throughout A mermaid-style skirt with a dramatic train A lace-trimmed veil, worn over a sleek bun Sánchez completed her look with Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioielleria Miracolo earrings. The earrings featured four diamonds cut from a single stone and set in white gold as her 'something borrowed'. Sánchez admitted that her choice was unexpected. 'It is a departure from what people expect—from what I expect—but it's very much me,' she said. Lauren Sánchez kept the dress a secret from Bezos until the day of the ceremony. 'As you get a little older, not many things surprise you. I can't wait to see his face,' she told Vogue . The wedding was not just a single-dress affair. For the wedding dinner, Sánchez changed into a second corseted gown inspired by Rita Hayworth's iconic look in Gilda . Later, she donned an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress adorned with 175,000 crystals for the party. Dolce & Gabbana was a meaningful choice for Sánchez. Her son, Nikko Gonzalez, made his modelling debut for the brand earlier this year. Lauren Sánchez herself has attended their shows, often seated in the front row. The wedding's estimated cost was around $50 million—about R900 million—making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings in recent memory. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot in a divided Venice
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot Friday at a sumptuous ceremony with the rich and famous. Image: Instagram/laurensanchezbezos Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot Friday at a sumptuous ceremony with the rich and famous on an island in Venice's lagoon, out of the sight and sound of protesters. "This city seems impossible! It can't exist and yet, here it is!" an enchanted Bezos told a La Repubblica journalist Thursday who got close to the magnate as he whizzed around the canals by boat. But protesters had a different view, wondering how long Venice can endure: While the billionaires party, activists say the fragile city is sinking, overrun by tourists, and a victim of depopulation as locals unable to pay soaring rents are forced out. "No Kings, No Bezos" read a sign in green neon projected on the St Mark's Campanile tower on Thursday night. Serenaded Sanchez late Friday posted a photo on Instagram, under a new name, laurensanchezbezos, showing her in a long flowing white dress and him in black tie, though it did not provide any indication where it was taken. Bezos and Sanchez, a former news anchor and entertainment reporter, celebrated their nuptials with guests including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom. The tech magnate, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are staying at the Aman hotel, a luxury 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto bridge. Other A-list guests are staying at the Gritti Palace and the St. Regis. The couple exchanged vows at a black-tie ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore Friday afternoon, according to Italian media reports. The wedding is thought to have taken place in a vast open-air amphitheatre on the island, which sits across from Venice's iconic St Mark's Square. The newlyweds were to be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, son of the famed opera singer Andrea Bocelli, reports said. Michelin-starred chef Fabrizio Mellino prepared the wedding dinner, while the cake has been made by French pastry chef Cedric Grolet, the Corriere della Sera said. Sanchez is alleged to have prepared 27 outfits to wear during the festivities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Enchanted' Wedding guests snapped by paparazzi as they hopped into boats included Jordan's Queen Rania, French luxury goods executive Francois-Henri Pinault, American football player Tom Brady, US fashion designer Spencer Antle, the singer Usher, and Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner. The guests reportedly lunched Thursday in the gardens of Villa Baslini, on the islet of San Giovanni Evangelista. The celebrations are set to end Saturday with a party likely at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. Bezos and Sanchez are donating three million euros ($3.5 million) to the city, according to Veneto's regional president Luca Zaia, and are employing historic Venetian artisans. Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags that will also contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass. Trump and her family visited a glass-blowing workshop on the small island of Murano on Wednesday, according to the owner. "They were amazed and enchanted by the magic of glass," Massimiliano Schiavon told the Corriere della Sera, adding that the family had a go at blowing glass. Venice, home to the oldest film festival in the world, is used to VIPs whizzing around in speed boats, and happily hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney in 2014. Some say this wedding too brings good business. Italy's tourism ministry said Friday it expected the wedding to bring the city nearly one billion euros, with about 895 million of that estimated to come from the "media visibility" generated. US reality TV personality Kim Kardashian (L) and Khloe Kardashian leave the Gritti Palace Hotel on the wedding day of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sanchez, in Venice on June 27, 2025. Image: Andrea Pattaro/AFP But critics say Bezos, one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers, is different. "Tax Billionaires", read protest signs along canals. "In the time it takes you to read this, Jeff Bezos's wealth has increased by more than your monthly salary", they read in English and Italian. Environmental activists have also pointed to the carbon footprint of the mega yachts and dozens of private jets -- at least 95 -- bringing the rich and famous to the city. But Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old salesman, welcomed the extravaganza. "Over-tourism is caused by those people who come with a backpack and their own food, and contribute very little," he said, "not those who transform Venice into a mini-Monte Carlo. This marriage helps the image of the city." Italy's health ministry has issued a red heat alert for Venice for the weekend, part of a heatwave affecting much of southern Europe. AFP
