Inside Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's 3-day Venetian wedding with star-studded guest list, $500m yacht, & unique gifts
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
BILLIONAIRE Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sanchez are preparing to tie the knot in a lavish three-day wedding in Venice next week.
The couple have remained tight-lipped about the upcoming nuptials but as the date nears, more details about the star-studded extravaganza have emerged.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
9
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are just days away from tying the knot
Credit: Getty
9
The pair have chosen Venice for their nuptials, city officials confirmed earlier this year (stock)
Credit: AFP
9
The star-studded guest list will include the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria who attended Sanchez's bachelorette in Paris
Credit: Instagram
The 61-year-old Amazon founder proposed to Sanchez, a former TV journalist, with a multi-million dollar ring on his yacht in May 2023.
Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, confirmed in March that the popular Italian city would host the couple and their guests for the highly-anticipated ceremony.
He said the city was "extremely proud" the couple had chosen it for their wedding and called it "an honor that Bezos is coming to Venice".
The happy couple appear to be keeping the celebration intimate with reports of around 200 guests being invited.
But that relatively small list is thought to include some big names including celebrities, politicians, and business moguls.
This is certainly the case if Sanchez's star-studded Parisian bachelorette party is anything to go by.
The final hoorah before the "wedding of the century" was attended by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, and Eva Longoria.
Multiple reports suggest stars including Leonardo Di Caprio, Orlando Bloom, Mick Jagger, and Beyoncé, are expected to attend as well as Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
The upcoming bash is said to be as extravagant as a royal wedding with Sanchez's brother Paul telling TMZ it would "be like a Princess Di thing".
"It's gonna be an amazing event. It's gonna be star-studded and fun," he said.
Eva Longoria and Her VIP Celebrity Circle: Inside Lauren Sánchez's Paris Bachelorette
The couples' children from their previous marriages are also expected to be in attendance.
Bezos has four children with his ex-wife Mackenzie Scott and Sanchez has two children with her ex-husband Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell and a son with ex-football player Tony Gonzalez.
Exact details for the celebrations have been kept under wraps but are believed to kick off on June 24 and end on June 26, a spokesperson for Brugnaro told CNN.
As preparations are underway, city officials told NBC News. that 30 water taxis out of 280 have been reserved and up to four hotels have been booked.
LIFE OF LUXURY
These are thought to be several luxury venues along the Grand Canal including the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, the Grand Aman Hotel, the St Regis Venis, and the Gritti Palace.
A room at The Aman, built in 1550, will set you back at least $2,700 per night, with prices going up to $10,000.
This is where the couple are said to be staying, per TMZ, as sources claim the entire hotel has been booked out from June 25 to June 29.
City officials added that "the celebrations, attended by 250 guests, will blend into the daily rhythm of a city".
"Once again, Venice proves to be a world stage," Brugnaro said.
9
The Island of San Giorgio Maggiore will be closed off to tourists for days
Credit: Getty
9
Sanchez and Bezos are said to be celebrating over three days
Credit: Getty
9
The Aman Hotel will host a part of the guests attending the wedding including the happy couple, according to reports
Credit: AFP
The actual ceremony is reported to be taking place on Bezos' $500 million yacht which will be in the Venetian lagoon, according to People.
Meanwhile, the whole island of San Giorgio Maggiore which lies opposite St Mark's Square has reportedly been booked out.
A source told the Daily Mail that the whole island will be "off limits to visitors" from June 24 to June 29.
The power couple have also booked the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a grand event building in the city's historic center, per the outlet.
The couple are said to be using mainly local vendors to cater for the huge event.
Around 80 percent of the wedding is to be locally sourced including from Rosa Salva, the city's oldest pastry maker and Laguna B, a studio famed for its hand-blown Murano glass.
Rosa Salva, which has been in business since 1876, has been asked to provide an array of surprises for goody bags , Antonio Rosa Salva revealed.
It is not known how Laguna B will contribute to the celebrations, with the business remaining tight-lipped.
One source told The Mail that a celebrity wedding planner not connected to the event has been told guests are being given "opulent" gifts just to attend.
The three-day celebrations could cost as much as $21 million, The Mail reported.
9
The Scuola Grande della Misericordia has also reportedly been booked out by the couple
Credit: Getty
9
Jeff Bezos' $500M superyacht Koru is where the ceremony itself is expected to take place
Credit: The Mega Agency
9
The couple both have children from previous marriages who are set to attend the wedding
Credit: Getty
'JUST BEGINNING'
The 55-year-old bride is thought to have taken on the majority of the organizing for the big day, as Sanchez previously told Today that she has been obsessively adding to her Pinterest board "like every other bride".
"I'm very excited about it, thinking about the dress. I have to say, I do have a Pinterest. I'm just like every other bride," she told Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb back in November.
"I never thought at 54 — I'm going to be 55 — that I'd be an author, that I'd be getting married. I mean, life is just beginning."
Her billionaire husband-to-be told Vogue in 2023 that he would not have any involvement in the planning saying, "Oh, God no. Do I look that dumb?" when asked if he would be helping out.
As some locals launch protests against the wedding taking place in their city, officials have reassured them that they will not be adversely affected.
Fears are increasing among some Venetians that they are being priced out of their own city by tourism.
"The city is fully accustomed to hosting high-profile events of this nature and scale, including other celebrity weddings, international summits such as the G7 and G20, as well as traditional events like the Festa del Redentore and the Venice Biennale," city hall officials told NBC.
"The celebrations, attended by 250 guests, will blend into the daily rhythm of a city that, with dignity and respect, welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world while safeguarding the quality of life for its residents, workers, and students.
"Protest initiatives are in no way representative of the majority of citizens, who are proud that Venice has been chosen as the wedding location".
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Gemma Atkinson turns to crowdfunding to raise £500k to launch her beauty brand, but angry trolls rage she can ‘do one'
GEMMA Atkinson has sparked controversy after turning to crowdfunding to raise £500,000 to launch her own beauty brand. The actress has already attracted an impressive social media following for her skincare company Gem & Tonic, which aims to provide products to "simplify your beauty regime". 5 Gemma Atkinson has sparked controversy after turning to crowdfunding to raise £500k to officially launch her beauty brand Gem & Tonic Credit: Instagram/glouiseatkinson 5 The fundraising effort has already raised nearly £50,000, but investing isn't without risk, which a warning on the Crowdcube page stresses Credit: crowdcube/gemandtonic 5 She shared a look into the company's successes to date, but trolls weren't impressed Credit: Instagram/glouiseatkinson "Every single product combines scientifically-proven ingredients with mineral rich gemstones," she said. As she prepares to "officially launch" the brand in September 2025, Gemma has decided to try and raise funds through Crowdcube - which asks people to "invest in Europe's best startups". On the Crowdcube page, which has already raised £48,296 from 354 different investors, Gemma says: "We're now looking to raise £500,000 to officially launch in September 2025 to continue the movement and the community we've already started. "If you're looking to invest in a brand with a real community in real demand, you've found yourself a real good gem." The page also highlights some of the company's successes to date, including the fact they made £127,000 in pre-order sales in just three weeks. The equity investment has a share price of 90p and a pre-money valuation of £2.25 million. "The Company had already raised £250,000 prior to the Crowdcube raise," the page reads. "For the avoidance of doubt, this has been included in the pre-money valuation displayed in the pitch." And for those investing in the business, there are various 'rewards' for doing so - all of which start from an investment of £50. Investing £50 will get you a signed thank you card from Gemma, while for £25,000 you'll get to "meet Gemma and have lunch with the G&T team", as well as an investor-only lifetime discount of 15%, a product bundle, an invite to the press launch, lifetime early access to new products and Gemma's signed thank you note. Gemma Atkinson reveals her hit CBeebies show has been AXED after just one series However there's also a warning at the top of the Crowdcube page, which reads: "Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. "This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong." News of Gemma's crowdfunding efforts quickly made its way onto social media, with trolls using the comments section of the videos to have their say on the controversial move. "Why hasn't she used her own money?" one wrote. "I don't want to Invest of your not engaged to the hilt in every financial way." "Crowd funding to make herself rich," another added. What is crowdfunding? Crowdfunding is a popular choice for startups trying to raise money, typically via the internet. It's described as an alternative way to fund projects "without standard financial intermediaries". There are four different ways of crowdfunding: rewards-based, equity-based, debt-based and donation-based. Judging by Gemma's Crowdcube page, it seems she has adopted a reward-based approach to the funding attempt, with investors offered perks in exchange for their financial support. "Ok send me money and I'll start a business!" "So she wants people to help her… doesn't she know about the cost of living crisis us normal people are dealing with?" a third commented. "Over 1/2 mil in her bank - usual rich get richer!" someone else sighed. "Crowd funding? Gemma can do one," another raged. "Bloody hell she has more than most for money!" someone else said. And as another labelled it ridiculous, someone else agreed, writing: "Clearly not confident in her own idea to fully invest herself, putting up her property as collateral. "Guaranteed to fail." "She's got a nerve!" another commented. However, there were those in the comments who came to Gemma's defense. Crowdfunding to make herself rich! Social media commenter "She isn't making you invest!" one wrote. "I say fair play to her and wish her well." "Think she's asking for £10 as a minimum, which is reasonable," another added. "She's kept her community involved from the get go - naming, scents etc so I don't see the issue." "Shame to see so many women tearing other women down regardless of their status or financial situation!!" a third sighed. "So much hate in the world these days already." 5 Some angry commenters even told Gemma to "do one" after hearing about her crowdfunding efforts Credit: Instagram/glouiseatkinson
Metro
31 minutes ago
- Metro
I'm a luxury wedding planner — we should be thrilled by Jeff Bezos' celebrations
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have officially tied the not in a luxury Venetian wedding — and the celebrations have been about as over the top as you'd expect. The Amazon billionaire and his new wife celebrated in front of 200 VIP guests, following days of blatant excess in the floating city, two years after the billionaire proposed to the TV journalist on his $500 million superyacht. While locals have been protesting the 'absurd wealth theatre' on display – with creepy mannequins of the pair spotted floating through the Venice canals — Jeff has been pictured frolicking in the suds of a foam party aboard his lavish yacht before the big day. Guests began arriving earlier this week, with the likes of Ivanka Trump, Barbara Streisand, Kim Kardashian and Bill Gates jetting in. But things haven't exactly gone to plan: Thursday's pre-wedding party at the historic Madonna dell-Orto cloisters was hit by torrential rain. A-listers including Kylie Jenner were forced to take cover during the freak thunderstorm. Because even billionaires can't control the weather… yet. But according to top UK wedding planner Mark Niemierko, we shouldn't be rolling our eyes — we should be getting inspired. 'I think overall myself, and other fellow planners in the industry are excited,' he tells Metro. 'While their taste might not be to everyone's liking, I feel this is what is most important when it comes to planning and designing your wedding – being yourself.' Mark has been a luxury wedding planner for 20 years, with a client list that includes Julia and James Cordon and Rochelle and Marvin Humes. His company, Niemierko, has even planned weddings attended by royalty. After seeing enough drab wedding concepts while in the business, he's excited to see someone doing something different. 'I am thrilled we might have a break in the beige weddings taking over Instagram, the algorithm needs a refresh,' he says. 'Overall, I'm loving every minute from the leaked gift Registry card of the invites, to the foam party snaps, to the drama of having to move venues.' Mark knows a thing or two about excess — he's planned countless weddings, with the average budget stretching between £500,000 and £750,000, and some soaring into the millions. Think six-figure cake rooms, karaoke machines on the dance floor, private jets for a family's pet dog (and the pet's walker), entire countryside hotels restaffed top to bottom, and the London Museum's Christmas decorations removed overnight to fit a bride's specific vision. 'Very early on I learnt to listen to my couples, to ensure I created days around them – and not my own personal taste and style,' he says. 'Back in 2006, a bride told me she wanted this 'booth thing', a bit like at train stations where you have your passport photo taken. I immediately thought, what, that won't work. Well, it was and photo booths are now as common at weddings as confetti.' But, is there such a thing as too much? Mark says: 'The only time I draw a line is if it will ruin the guest experience. If it's a mad idea that'll work and keep guests guessing, and the night alive and not dull – I'm all for it. 'But if it's long-winded and service will be affected, I'll likely ensure we ditch it.' For Mark, the best weddings aren't just stylish, they're fun. 'Humour I think is a very important part of a wedding day, if it's all taking yourselves too seriously, posing for photos – where's the moment in that? Less fake, more fun I say,' he adds. If you're planning a wedding – but don't have quite the same budget as Jeff and Lauren, according to Nick there are still things you can do to make sure your nuptials have an A-list vibe. 'I think loos generally are the most important things,' he says. 'Whether you're at an airport or a nightclub, we all need to go for a wee. It shouldn't be an experience of 'Oh my God! I need to go for a wee, but I need to get out of this room so quickly'. 'It should be 'Oh my god, this is insane. I want to stay in here all night.' Mark doesn't hold back when it comes to styling the bathrooms at his weddings, adding everything from scented candles to tarot card readers to pleasantly surprise guests. One simple tip? He says: 'Get yourself crystal decanters, fill them up with mouthwash, get little paper cups and put them on the side. 'There's nothing more fabulous than being on a night out and thinking, 'I almost feel like I've brushed my teeth'.' Obviously, Mark adds, don't be stingy on your choice of soap, and if you can, add personal touches. 'I love doing a sweet jar full of every different coloured vaseline.' And, if he finds out which perfumes the couple wears, he might add little bottles of them in the bathroom. 'But, just beware. They're going to get nabbed,' he adds. 'A guest is going to take them. Someone will steal them.' Next on Mark's essentials list? The bar. And not just what's in it, but where it is. 'You could not be a drinker. But you still need a drink. So the bar is going to need to be fully stocked,' he says. 'If you can't afford to water and feed all of your guests, then don't invite them. Have a fully open bar if you can afford it.' You want to make sure it's close to the action. Mark advises: 'Don't have it separate from the dance room, because you'll end up with a split group, and you want it closer to where the dancing is. More Trending 'Not on top of the dance floor, but close enough to make sure it's flowing and whoever's managing it doesn't run out of glassware. It needs to flow.' You might assume it's all over when the music stops, but Mark wants guests to be surprised until the very last moment. He's even set up a Shawarma kebab stall for guests to enjoy on their way out. 'Can you imagine what the guests are saying to each other when they leave that wedding? They're drunk and they're turning to each other, probably talking with their mouths full, going, 'Oh my God! This is the best wedding I've ever been to'.' Battersea Power Station (pre-renovation) – one of Mark's early large-scale projects was held at Battersea Power Station when it was still derelict in 2012. He turned it into a grand-scale rock-and-roll wedding. He says: 'It's funny going back there now and it's all so polished and beautiful.' British Pullman Train – in 2012, Mark transported guests to a countryside wedding at Blenheim Palace via the Belmond British Pullman Train. 'Everyone got on the British Pullman, and we had a fabulous dinner on the train. Then you arrived in Woodstock, and your hotel was taken care of,' he says. The British Museum – Mark orchestrated the first-ever wedding at the British Museum for just 20 guests in 2018. 'Guests didn't know where they were going,' he says. 'We did a very simple registry office and then they got in cars to a mystery venue and pulled up at the British Museum. It was like Night at the Museum. Totally empty. And then you walked to the Egyptian galleries and that's where we had a dinner. It was quite epic.' Private jet for dogs – Niemierko has gone the extra mile for all sorts of guests. 'There's obviously been private jets for dogs, he says. 'We can't say where they were flying from, but we had to make sure that dog was somewhere else and they pretty much flew with a staff member on a private jet.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Who's who at Jeff Bezos's $10,000,000 wedding as A-list guests 'descend on Venice' MORE: Who's going to Jeff Bezos's wedding? The $10,000,000 guest list 'descending on Venice' MORE: Everything that's happened between Hailey and Justin Bieber as marriage breakdown rumours mount Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Metro
31 minutes ago
- Metro
It's time to ditch Aperol — this is the ultimate summer spritz
I love Aperol, don't get me wrong. An oversized glass of that sunrise-hued, bittersweet, spritzy liquid with a slice of orange bobbing around on top gives me the summer feels. I've flirted with other spritzes, of course. As we all have. Only last year, the Hugo gave me an elderflower moment, the Campari spritz fixed my bitter orange cravings and Sarti gave me a refreshingly citrussy-tropical hit. I've even given white port and tonic a whirl, Portugal's go-to refreshing aperitif you garnish with a sprig of mint. But this summer, there's a new spritz in town that's seriously hitting the spot. We're all familiar with Limoncello, that impossibly yellow, lemony liqueur served in shot glasses after a slap-up Italian meal. Bizarrely though, I didn't know anyone who consumed it unless they were in an Italian restaurant or on holiday in Italy, until now. Aside from the perception of Limoncello as a freebee at the end of a meal, the problem with many big-brand, imported Limoncellos is that they can be over 50% sugar syrup blended with perfumed lemon peel, with little to no actual juice. Things are changing thanks to a new wave of craft producers, with our old friend limoncello evolving from sugary, date-night trattoria-fuel to the tart and authentic-tasting main ingredient in this summer's must-drink spritz. One brand in particular, RamTang Cello, has caught my attention. It centres around a 'Lemon Cello' made by a 72-year-old English lady who lives in Tooting, lovingly known as, 'Mama Cello'. She also makes a Lime Cello, for a unique twist on the citrus liqueur. Sally Chilton is her name, an ex-chef with two grown-up sons. Sally set out to make a version of Limoncello that was authentic but not quite so sweet, in her own kitchen. She started off, 'playing with lemons and white label vodka' until her son, Christopher, thankfully convinced her that the product was good enough to sell. The result is a range of two citrus cellos, each with 25% less sugar and distilled locally. Well, in Rutland. Limoncello is traditionally made by steeping lemons (Sally started out with Amalfi, but became frustrated by their seasonality) in a neutral spirit (vodka), then mixing it with sugar syrup. And because Italian Limoncello isn't a legally designated PDO, like say Champagne or Prosecco, it can be made anywhere in the world. Hence, London. Want to make a delicious drink with RamTang Lemon or Lime Cello? These are the ingredients you'll need. Mix together and garnish before serving… Adult Lemonade 40 mil RamTang' Lemon cello100-150 mil (small can) Fever Tree Lemonade Garnish: Ice, lemon wheel and sprig of mint Sicilian Spritz40 mil Dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Vino Verde LIDL)20 mil Lemon RamTang'100-150 mil Franklin's Tonic Garnish: Ice, lemon wheel and sprig of mint RamTang' Lime Spritz40 mil Dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Vino Verde LIDL)20 mil Lime RamTang'100 – 150 mil (small can) Schweppes Pink Soda Garnish: Ice, lime wheel and cucumber RamTang Sicilian Spritz I followed Sally's recipe, though I used Balfour Bacchus (as it's English Wine Week) instead of the Lidl wines she suggested. Ultimately I ended up tweaking the levels of alcohol upwards. Shocker. I found 60ml white wine and 40ml RamTang Limoncello intensified the drink nicely. To be honest, I free poured until I was happy with it. The result was a balanced and zesty alternative to an orange aperitivo which I'd score a 9.5/10. If, like me, you miss the vivifying bitterness of an Aperol, upping the limoncello levels gives you a citrussy jolt to replace it. Many of the new wave UK versions, such as RamTang, Shakespear or Three Wrens slash the sugar, use clarified lemon juice and the zest of actual lemons. This eliminates any artificial, air-freshener notes and gives a ripe citrus intensity which allows them to cut down on sugar. I tested RamTang Cello against supermarket limoncellos half the price, neat and in a spritz. I even gave the supermarket RTD Limoncello spritzes in cans a go, made for anyone who simply can't be bothered to prepare a spritz from scratch. You know who you are, myself included. Here are the results… The Cellos I tasted these neat, straight out of the freezer. And don't worry, an open bottle of limoncello can last for up to a year if it's stored properly, in the fridge or freezer. RamTang Lemon cello, £26, Score: 9.4/10 Intensely lemony on the nose, a beautifully textured and pithy palate that smacks of home made lemon meringue pie. Flecks of lemon leaf for added herbaceous balance, very good. The Cambridge Range Limoncello, £27, Score: 9.4/10 Part of the new wave of UK limoncello producers, this time from Cambridge. And it's truly exceptional stuff. On the nose, it's 100% reminiscent of Amalfi lemon drizzle cake which follows though to the palate. Creamy with just the right level of sweetness-to-spirit. Nailed it. Pallini Limoncello, £16.25, Sainsburys Score: 9.2/10 Slightly spirity on the nose, but the palate is nicely rounded, lightly textured, creamy and full of zesty fresh lemon flavours. Very good and widely available. Villa Cardea, £12.50, Asda Score: 8.9/10 Fresh lemons on the nose, a leaner-texture in the mouth with creamy, lemon sherbet notes and a soft and citrussy finish not far off lemon curd. Good. Limonici Limoncello, £11.99, Aldi Score: 7.9/10 Very spirit-heavy on the nose, which follows through in the mouth, sadly overpowering some bright lemon notes, a creamy texture and a lively sherbet finish. RamTang Limecello, £27, Score: 7.8/10 Beautiful lime-forward nose, though the palate is over-concentrated with notes of lime essence over the fresh kind. Textured and well made with a key lime pie-flavoured finish. Add in a splash to intensify your Margarita cocktail. M&S Limoncello Spritz, £2.50, M&S and Ocado Score: 8.3/10 Fresh lemon on the nose followed by a palate of candied lemon and creamy sherbet notes. Not bad. Funkin Limoncello Spritz, £2.30, Tesco Score: 7.8/10 Candied lemony nose, the spritz is on the sweeter side with confected lemon flavours. Could do with a spritz of fresh lemon, though not a bad version. Limoncello Spritz, £4.49, Aldi Score: 7.5/10 Attractive candied lemon peel nose, with lemony boiled sweet characteristics on the palate with slightly cloying, lemon drop aftertaste. More Trending Joy Spritz Lemon, £5 (save £2.10), Sainsbury's Score: 4.8/10 View More » An enticing nose of zingy lemon zest, though the palate doesn't live up to the promise, unfortunately. There's a lemon air freshener note that jars, and an off-putting bitterness on the finish. If you count yourself a purveyor of the finer things in life, Metro's Drink Up column is where you need to be. Immerse yourself in the world of good drink, fronted by industry expert Rob Buckhaven – a place for readers to whet their whistle with the latest and greatest in the world of drinks. From unpacking the best supermarket wines from Aldi, Tesco and Lidl, to introducing audiences to the wallet-friendly Cremant out-bubbling the fanciest of French Champagnes (or the best wines to drink after sex), and finding out what it's like to go on a bar crawl with Jason Momoa, this is a haven for those who love to celebrate. Stay ahead of the curve as Rob plucks from the vines the wines of the season and the spirits you need to know about; speaking with experts and mixologists while unpacking the latest concoctions, finding the best non-alcoholic options for those looking to moderate, discovering the best food pairings for your drops, and going up against the latest TikTok chatter to demystify the liquid landscape. What are the best drinks to take to a summer picnic? Wine that you should never serve at a wedding And, truly, how should we be storing our wine? Read More. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Patient who threw bricks at paramedics and smashed ambulance avoids jail MORE: I helped create M&S picky bits — here's my hack for the ultimate dinner MORE: McDonald's just made major change to the Filet-O-Fish for first time in 50 years Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
