Jeff Bezos And Lauren Sánchez Say No To Wedding Gifts, Instead They Want...
Last Updated:
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will marry this week in Venice, Italy.
As Venice braces for one of its most talked-about weddings, all eyes are on Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. But amid the glamour, guest lists, and headlines, the couple has made a thoughtful request – they don't want any gifts. The Amazon founder and his fiancée will get married this week.
Ahead of the celebration, the couple sent out invitations with a clear message: 'We are excited for you to join us. We have one early request: please, no gifts."
Instead of traditional presents, Bezos and Sánchez have chosen to make donations to three local institutions on behalf of their guests. The contributions will go to the UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA and Venice International University.
'Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city's irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice's future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions," it continued.
Their note adds: 'The magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these gifts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come."
Still, not everyone is thrilled about the scale of the celebration. In the days leading up to the wedding, protest signs have been put up in Venice's historic areas. Locals have voiced concern over disruptions, traffic and the strain of hosting high-profile events in a city already battling overtourism.
Originally, the couple had picked Cannaregio for post-wedding celebrations. But reports suggest the plan was changed due to fears of demonstrations. The celebrations have now been shifted to the Arsenale, a historic naval complex in Castello district.
Though guests have been asked not to bring gifts, they will receive goody bags from Laguna B, a Murano-based glassware company. While the exact items remain under wraps, sources describe them as 'opulent."
The couple is also supporting local vendors wherever possible. Around 80 per cent of the food and other essentials for the wedding are being sourced from Venice-based businesses including the Murano glassware maker Laguna B and the city's oldest pastry maker, Rosa Salva.
Bezos and Sánchez got engaged in 2023. Sánchez has three children – Evan and Ella, from her marriage to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell, and a son, Nikko, from her earlier relationship with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez.
Bezos shares four children with his ex-wife, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott including their eldest son, Preston, born in 2000. The names and details of their other children including an adopted daughter, are not public.
First Published:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Prestige Group inks JV with Arihant Group for ₹1,600 crore residential project in Chennai
Bengaluru-based real estate developer Prestige Group and Chennai-based Arihant Group have announced a strategic partnership to jointly acquire a prime 3.48-acre land parcel in Velachery, Chennai from Rane Madras Limited, the company said in a regulatory filing. Bengaluru-based real estate developer Prestige Group and Chennai-based Arihant Group have announced a strategic partnership to jointly acquire a prime 3.48-acre land parcel in Velachery, Chennai. (Representational photo)(Pexels) The acquisition, routed through their joint venture entity Canopy Living LLP, will offer around 7.5 lakh sq ft of residential space, with an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of over ₹ 1,600 crore, marking an expansion to Chennai's real estate market. Velachery, a residential and commercial hub in South Chennai, offers connectivity to IT corridors like OMR and GST Road. The area's rapid infrastructure growth and proximity to employment hubs make it one of the sought-after places for buyers. Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Group, said the Velachery acquisition marks a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion into Chennai, a key market in its national growth strategy. 'Our collaboration with Arihant Group reflects a common goal—to build well-designed, high-quality residential communities that align with the changing aspirations of urban homebuyers." Also Read: Bengaluru-based Prestige Group to launch ₹ 50,000 crore worth of homes in FY26 'Velachery's vibrant ecosystem and future growth potential make it a prime destination for luxury housing. Our collaboration with Prestige Group reflects a shared vision of building thoughtfully designed, high-quality developments. We're confident this project will set new standards for residential living in Chennai," Kamal Lunawath, Managing Director of Arihant Group, said. Prestige Group has completed 302 developments covering a total of 193 million square feet and currently has 130 ongoing and upcoming projects, accounting for an additional 203 million square feet in its pipeline. Chennai-based Arihant Foundations and Housing Ltd brings over 40 years of industry experience, with a portfolio that includes the successful delivery of more than 25 million square feet of built-up space.
NDTV
43 minutes ago
- NDTV
Lauren Sanchez Wipes Instagram Posts, Changes Name After Marrying Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are officially married. The couple tied the knot on Friday night in a lavish ceremony in Venice, Italy. Hours after exchanging vows with Bezos, Sanchez wiped away all her old Instagram posts, leaving only two shares containing pictures from their wedding. The former journalist also changed her last name, changing her Instagram handle to "Lauren Sanchez Bezos." Previously, she had shared photos from several occasions, including her exclusive bachelorette party in Paris. But, hours after the wedding, she removed the entire grid. The two remaining posts feature pictures of Sanchez in her wedding attire and a photo with Bezos as newlyweds. One post read, "Not just a gown, a piece of poetry. Thank you, Dolce & Gabbana, for the magic you made." The post features three pictures showcasing her special moments from the wedding. Two photos capture her getting ready, while the third picture shows her stunning look in her complete bridal attire. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Sánchez Bezos (@laurensanchezbezos) Her second post is her first photo after getting married to Jeff Bezos. The caption reads "06/27/2025," marking the date of their wedding. The accompanying photo shows the newlywed couple together, capturing their special moment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Sánchez Bezos (@laurensanchezbezos) Lauren Sanchez-Jeff Bezos wedding Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez exchanged vows in an opulent ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice on June 27, 2025. The duo got engaged back in 2023 and finally tied the knot two years later. For the ceremony, Sanchez wore a stunning designer white wedding dress with a mermaid-style silhouette and sheer lace sleeves, while Bezos opted for a traditional black tuxedo with a bowtie. Their star-studded wedding ceremony was attended by several A-list celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates, among others. Natasha Poonawalla, an Indian socialite, and Mona Patel, an Indian entrepreneur, also attended the celebrations.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Salomon and Arc'teryx Help Amer Sports Defy Downturn With Athleisure Bet
(Bloomberg) -- In 2020, Carlo Aragon started the 'Salomonology' Instagram page as a fashion moodboard to help him decide whether to invest $150 in a pair of Salomon XT-6s. He bought it, liking how the shoes looked 'unorthodox.' Others did too — the account now has almost 150,000 followers, intrigued by how trail shoes can pair with streetwear. Aragon's Instagram fame mirrors the ascent of Amer Sports Inc., the company behind Salomon. Since its New York Stock Exchange debut in February 2024, the Helsinki-based group, which also owns outerwear brand Arc'teryx and sports equipment maker Wilson, has nearly tripled its market value to $21 billion. It has outpaced peers like On Holding AG, Hoka parent company Deckers Outdoor Corp. and Anta Sports Products Ltd., the Chinese sporting goods giant that owns a 42% stake in Amer Sports. Amer Sports' growth has beaten the consumer downturn by riding the outdoor activity wave. It's among the mid-tier luxury brands offering shoppers high-quality goods that don't break the bank. The bulk of this rally occurred recently, following first-quarter results that defied a rocky global economy. Sales topped expectations, and the company raised its outlook while others cut theirs. Growth of its Technical Apparel and Outdoor Performance divisions — which respectively house Arc'teryx and Salomon — boosted results, Chief Executive Officer James Zheng said in the most recent earnings call, highlighting the brands' potential. While Salomon sneakers surpassed $1 billion in sales in 2024, it's a fraction of the $180 billion global sneaker market, and Arc'teryx is 'very under-penetrated globally,' he said in the call. Amer Sports declined a request for an interview with an executive. Amer Sports wasn't always this successful. Shares remained subdued after the IPO due to high debt, low trading volume, and significant exposure to a lagging Chinese economy, said Laurent Vasilescu, an analyst at BNP Paribas Exane, who rates the stock outperform. Then in December, Amer Sports issued shares to pay down most of its debt. This move reduced leverage and boosted trading volume, alleviating two of the three primary investor concerns, Vasilescu said in an interview. China, which accounts for about 30% of the company's revenue, remains a concern, though sales in the market have bested expectations every quarter since the IPO. Premium sportswear and outdoor market gear is one of the fastest-growing consumer segments in China, attracting younger and female consumers, as well as luxury shoppers, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Page said on the earnings call. Glamping — short for glamorous camping — and gorpcore – wearing outdoor clothes as everyday wear – are currently trending in China, Vasilescu said. Amer Sports is also attracting middle- and upper-income customers who like the 'quiet luxury' aesthetic and the upscale in-store shopping experience of its brands, he added. That's happening in the US too, where celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Bella Hadid have been spotted wearing Salomon shoes. Sales in its Americas division have grown every year since 2020 – the earliest publicly available results – though at a slower pace than Greater China's, which is estimated to overtake Europe, the Middle East and Africa as Amer Sports' second-largest market by revenue this year. One fan is Gabriella Gonzalez, a 29-year-old stylist who popped by a Salomon store in New York City's SoHo shopping district on a Friday afternoon. She praised the breathability, waterproofing and style of her pink-and-black XT-6 shoes. 'They make my outfits pop,' she said. About half a mile away is Arc'teryx's largest US store. Customer Chris Rojes said he doesn't mind paying more for Arc'teryx's gear over other brands. 'You feel more special in them.' Arc'teryx distinguishes itself from other outdoor apparel brands like Patagonia Inc. and VF Corp's The North Face through a 'much higher level of premiumization,' said TD Cowen analyst John Kernan, who has a buy rating on Amer Sports. Despite higher prices, consumers are willing to pay for Arc'teryx's 'leading innovation.' Declining consumer brand loyalty and a growing desire for variety also creates an opportunity for Salomon and Arc'teryx to gain market share from industry leaders like Nike Inc. and Adidas AG, Vasilescu said. To keep flying high, Amer Sports needs to go global, analysts said, warning that it's an uphill battle. 'We believe that the global brand rollout will not be easy' due to Arc'teryx's high price points and intense competition in Western outerwear markets, said HSBC analyst Akshay Gupta, who has a hold rating on the company. Morningstar analyst Ivan Su, who has a sell rating, believes Amer Sports' would need a compound annual growth rate of 20% over the next five years to support its currently high valuation, which would require 'near flawless execution' globally. More stories like this are available on
