
Inside Lauren Sanchez's £15m wedding glam squad - including drag queen tailor
Amazon boss, Jeff Bezos, has pulled out all the stops for his $20 million (£15m) wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice on Friday, which will be attended by a whole host of Hollywood stars
Jeff Bezos' bride Lauren Sanchez is flying in her most trusted glam squad for her $20 million (£15m) wedding in Venice on Friday. The former journalist, 55, has pulled out all the stops to make sure she looks picture-perfect for the eye-wateringly lavish nuptials, which will be attended by a whole host of Hollywood stars.
Ahead of the ceremony, which is said to be taking place at the stunning Arsenale fortress after Venetians threatened to block the canals with inflatable crocodiles at Bezos' former choice of venue in the city, a tour guide was hired to welcome guests was snapped holding a clipboard of names.
READ MORE: Jeff Bezos forced to move wedding venue after locals threaten to block Venice canals
Prominent among the list, which included names, flight numbers, and hotel destinations - were members of Lauren's 'glam squad', according to the Mail.
So, as Ms Sanchez gets ready to waltz down the aisle with one of the richest men in the world, here's all we know about those tasked with giving the bride her perfect day, from the makeup artist who chose Lauren's lippy for her recent trip to space - to a drag queen tailor...
Makeup artist Laura Ann Mele
Make-up artist, Laura Ann Mele, has been trusted with Lauren's look since at least November 2023, when the former newsreader first appeared on Laura's Instagram page.
At the time, the New Yorker got Lauren ready for the Glamour magazine's Women of the Year awards, opting for natural makeup with a sultry shimmer.
Laura, who arrived in Venice on June 24, has worked with Lauren several times, including for her 53rd birthday party, multiple award ceremonies, and the bride-to-be's debut Met Gala appearance in 2024.
Most recently, she did Lauren's makeup for her much-criticised trip to space on Jeff's Blue Origin rocket. Joined by Katy Perry, Lauren skipped onto the rocket in a skin-tight blue jumpsuit, but was slammed by many for a 'monumental waste of money'.
Hairstylist Sophie Rose
Another long-standing member of Lauren's glam squad is hairstylist, Sophie Rose. The Californian's name was reportedly on the wedding guest spreadsheet, which is no surprise considering how many times she's worked with Lauren.
Lauren often pops up on Sophie's Instagram page, including in March when the celebrity hairdresser shared a picture of her client's 'bridal' look for the Vanity Fair's Oscars party that she attended with Jeff.
For the ceremony, the former journalist sported picked a strapless white mermaid gown, with a feathered hem and train, which many thought screamed 'bride to be'.
Her long raven locks were styled in tumbling waves, which is a style Sophie might reinvent for the wedding.
British makeup artist to the stars Buster Knight
Also flying in for the big day is British makeup artist, Buster Knight. The London-based creative shared his flight details on Instagram from the UK earlier this morning before the leaked spreadsheet confirmed Buster's arrival in Italy around lunchtime.
Buster has been in charge of several of Lauren's looks, including her appearance at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show in Sardinia last July.
While lifting the lid on her makeup for Milan Fashion Week last January, Buster revealed he used Hourglass Cosmetics' lipstick in the shade 'Dove 306' as well as a Kylie Cosmetics mascara over fake lashes from UK-based brand, Eyelure.
Dolce and Gabbana executive Samuel Horowitz
Dolce and Gabanna executive Samuel Horowitz's name on the list hints that Lauren could be wearing a wedding dress designed by the Italian duo.
She's a big fan of the iconic brand, having been spotted at the D&G flagship store in Milan in March armed with huge bags, maybe after a dress fitting.
Lauren's son, Nikko, 24, also modelled for the fashion house last year.
Drag Queen tailor Mindy L'amour
One of the most jaw-dropping names said to be on the list is drag queen tailor, Mindy L'amour. The Californian stylitst specialises in corsets and has dressed a whole host of stars, including drag queens.
Lauren is a big fan of a corset, which she's worn to a number of high profile events, including US President Trump's inauguration in January.
The bride-to-be ignored the backlash accusing her of dressing inappropriately for the ceremony, as a source close to her reportedly told Page Six: "She does what she wants".
Lauren also wore a low-cut white corset for her star-studded hen party in Paris, which was attended by Kim Kardashian, who is also going to the wedding.
Maybe Mindy, who shared a video of herself enjoying a water taxi ride upon arrival in Venice earlier today, will be putting Lauren in a corset for her wedding. We can't wait to find out!
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
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Inside Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' final wedding celebration as Oprah and Kendall Jenner lead arrivals
Oprah Winfrey, Kendall Jenner and Vittoria Ceretti were among those first to arrive for the final night of Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos ' wedding celebrations. Tonight is set to be the last official event of the multi-day extravaganza in Venice, Italy, that saw the couple tie the knot in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Maggiore island on Friday. This evening, stars have been making their way to the Arsenale for the grand finale. The Arsenale is located in Venice's Castello district and was reportedly chosen last-minute due to growing protests surrounding the ultra-wealthy nuptials. The venue's remote layout makes it more difficult for both protestors and press to access - an intentional pivot from the high-visibility locations of previous events. Lauren herself has already emerged for the evening in a stunning pink embellished bandeau gown that enhanced her ample assets. The blushing bride, 55, shared a kiss with her new husband, 61, before waving to fans from a balcony. As the stars continue to file in thick and fast to finish the weekend off with a bang, FEMAIL has shared all the latest looks below.


Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Bezos wedding celebrations met with protests in Venice
Hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice on Saturday to protest against the three-day wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Letting off smoke flares, blaring loud music and chanting 'Bezos out of the lagoon', they marched from Venice's railway station to the Rialto Bridge, which spans the Grand Canal. They carried placards which read 'Money Can't Buy Style', 'F--- Capitalism' and 'No Space for Bezos' – a play on the Amazon founder's Blue Origin space venture and his new wife's recent space flight. The estimated 500 marchers were shadowed by a small phalanx of riot police equipped with batons, helmets and shields. The noisy demonstration came as Mr Bezos, his new wife and their celebrity guests prepared to take water taxis from their luxury hotels to the Venetian Arsenal, the city's historic shipbuilding complex, for a final wedding celebration – a culmination of the three-day nuptials that have divided the city. 'Bezos is acting like he's king of the world' Some have hailed the economic impact of the event and the attention it has brought. But activists accused Mr Bezos, the third wealthiest person in the world, of treating Venice as a rich man's playground, a picturesque backdrop to a wedding believed to have cost between 40 and 50 million euros. The demonstrators are furious about the security arrangements and the fact that some parts of the city have been closed off to the public to allow access for Mr Bezos and his 250 guests, who include Ivanka Trump, Queen Rania of Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Kardashians. 'Our message is that everyone is welcome in Venice but not people who create disruption like he has done,' said Oliveiro Cassala, a 43-year-old protester who works in a hotel in Venice. 'He came to Venice acting as if he was king of the world. He thinks he can pay money and do whatever he likes. But we are proud people in Venice, and we don't like it.' He carried a placard which said that Mr Bezos' donation of three million euros to Venetian causes, from education to the environment, was paltry. 'With an estimated net worth of $230 billion, this donation represents 0.0013 per cent of his wealth,' he said. 'It's as if he had left a tip of three euros. Money does not buy respect, and Venice deserves much more.' Other placards with messages that read 'Free Palestine' and 'Stop Bombing Iran' were paraded down the streets past groups of tourists enjoying the evening sunshine and sipping Aperol Spritz cocktails. Elena Dal Toso, 80, said police had blocked her from walking from her home to a hospital clinic on Thursday evening, when Mr Bezos hosted a gala dinner in the cloister of a historic church called La Madonna dell'Orto 'They told me I couldn't pass – in my own city. It's fine to come here and get married, plenty of people do it, but not to cause this kind of inconvenience,' she said. 'We already have enough problems, like lack of housing and too much dependence on tourism. I feel like the city has been taken over these past few days.' Alice Bazzoli, another activist, said Venice had been 'exploited' by Mr Bezos and his wealthy friends, with mega-yachts moored in the lagoon, private jets landing at Marco Polo airport, and some parts of the city cordoned off. 'Protestors don't represent the majority' Police officers and Italian soldiers guarded narrow alleyways to Venice's centuries-old Jewish Ghetto to block any pro-Palestinian protesters from veering off the main route of the march. There were more police on standby in blue and white motor launches and on jet skis, deployed to surrounding canals. But many Venetians have welcomed the Bezos wedding, saying it would bring huge economic benefits to Venice. 'These protesters don't represent the majority,' said Matteo, who runs a trattoria near the Venetian Arsenal, the venue for Saturday night's celebrations. 'I think it's good that he came here. He's so rich, he could have chosen anywhere in the world. He could have gone to New York or St Tropez or Fiji. But he chose Venice. That says something about what a special place it is.' As wedding guests, including Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom and Oprah Winfrey, headed to the Venetian Arsenal, amid unconfirmed rumours that they would be serenaded by Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga, it remained a mystery as to who would actually provide the evening's entertainment. The menu was to consist of specialities from the Veneto region, including baccalà, or salt cod, and tiramisù. Paparazzi faced a stiff challenge in trying to access the venue – the Venetian Arsenal is surrounded by high crenellated walls and there are just a few entrances, all of them by boat. It evolved over the centuries as a place to construct merchant vessels and warships, built to fend off pirates, commercial rivals and marauding Turkish fleets. 'This won't change anything' Among those who welcomed the presence of Mr Bezos and his high-profile guests was the owner of the legendary Harry's Bar, famous for hosting generations of celebrities, on the banks of the Grand Canal. Mr Bezos and his new bride dropped into the bar on Saturday afternoon, the day after they had exchanged vows on the tiny island of San Giorgio. The Amazon founder is 'a private individual who has come here to get married. I can't see any problem with that. Venice is Venice and this event won't change anything,' Arrigo Cipriani, the owner of Harry's told the newspaper Corriere della Sera. He said only a tiny minority of the city's 48,000 inhabitants were upset, adding: 'And I'd like to know if there is a single person among them who has not bought something on Amazon.' Luigi Brugnaro, the pro-business, centre-Right mayor of Venice, lobbied for the wedding celebrations to be held in the city. 'I understand the protests that have been organised by students – we were all young once. They are idealists and they want to organise these striking actions, especially when there is a chance of attracting lots of media attention. I don't agree with them but I understand their motivations. I was also a rabble rouser when I was young.' But he said it was unfair to criticise the security measures that were put in place, given the international situation and the profile of the wedding guests. He accused Left-wing opposition councillors of trying to exploit the wedding for political ends. 'It is not normal that they criticise the number of police on the ground when, until a few days ago, we risked a world war breaking out and we have here in the city the daughter of the president of the United States.' He rejected criticism that the soul of Venice was being eroded by mass tourism, the proliferation of Airbnb properties and population decline, saying: 'The problem is that around 300 to 400 Venetians die each year and not enough babies are being born. This is affecting the whole of Italy, not just Venice.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
‘Kisses yes, Bezos No,' protesters say, as Bezos wedding bonanza divides Venice
Hundreds of protesters marched through Venice's central streets on Saturday to say 'No' to billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their much-anticipated wedding extravaganza, which reached its third and final day amid celebrity-crowded parties and the outcries of tired residents. On Friday, the world's fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio. The wedding, however, divided Venice, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos, while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. As the two newlyweds prepared for the final party on Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and protesters from across Italy filled Venice's tiny streets with colorful banners reading 'Kisses Yes, Bezos No' and 'No Bezos, no War.' The demonstration contrasted with the expensive wedding bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon city's fragile environment and its citizens, overwhelmed by throngs of tourists. 'We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people, who accumulate money by exploiting many other people … while the conditions of this city remain precarious,' said Martina Vergnano, one of the demonstrators. The protest organizers had welcomed news that Saturday's wedding party, to be initially held on in central Venice, was later moved to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale, amid high security. Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.17 million) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Venetian environmental research association. But many protesters saw the move as a clear example of 'greenwashing.' 'We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens. … Those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos' conscience,' said Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined Saturday's protest. Details of the exclusive wedding ceremony Friday night were a closely guarded secret, until Sánchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos. Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. The star-studded guest list included Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady, along with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and top socialites, including the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and their three children also joined the celebrations. The bride and groom stayed at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where Bezos posed for photos and Sanchez Bezos blew kisses to the press. 'The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sánchez,' read one protest slogan, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined wedding gown by Dolce & Gabbana and other Dolce Vita-inspired looks by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries. ___