Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding welcome party causes chaos in Venice as celebrities shuts down canals
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos ' wedding welcome party has caused chaos across Venice, as a parade of celebrities have forced canals to shut down and tourists to cancel reservations.
The billionaire couple are set to exchange vows in Italy on Friday, but the celebrations have already kicked off.
The soon-to-be husband and wife gathered at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters with their A-list friends on Thursday evening for a lavish pre-wedding celebration.
But as hoards of stars descended upon the stunning venue for the party, the commotion left local business owners outraged.
According to one business owner who runs a kayak renting service in the area, the bridges were 'closed off' to make way for Lauren, Jeff, and their guests, leaving customers unable to reach them.
'We had a party of clients booked for Thursday night. But they were unable to get through to us because the bridges were all closed off,' they shared.
'Despite them having booking, the police wouldn't let them pass. It was party of five Americans, and they had booked an hour and a half for $100 each and so we had to cancel.
'The party involved was on a tight schedule and couldn't rebook so we will have to refund them and so we have lost money.'
One Venice local claimed that the canals were shut gown and that police on jet skis turned them around when they tried to get through
In addition to the bridges, the Venice local claimed that the canals were also shut gown and that police on jet skis turned them around when they tried to get through.
They added that there was 'no real notification from the council that the canal would be closed.'
'I don't begrudge [Jeff and Lauren] for getting married, but this has cost us money and of all the places in Venice they had to choose the one by us,' they added.
Photos show police presence all over the Italian city, including officers on jet skis in the canals, as water taxis went back and forth taking Lauren and Jeff's guests from their hotels to the event.
A slew of celebrities stepped out to celebrate Lauren and Jeff on Thursday evening as their pre-wedding festivities kicked off, including Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Orlando Bloom, who all dressed to the nines.
Bride-to-be Lauren, 55, donned a terrifyingly tight corset for the party.
The shimmering one-piece by Schiaparelli boasted a cinched waistline and embroidered floral detailing.
The piece accentuated Lauren's enviable physique - including her toned shoulders and arms.
The soon-to-be husband and wife gathered at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters with their A-list friends on Thursday evening for a lavish pre-wedding celebration
The former journalist, who pulled her raven tresses away from her face except for a few stray strands, beamed as she waved to cameras and flashed a glimpse of her stunning engagement ring.
Jeff lovingly held out his hand as they stepped aboard a water taxi, before the couple shared a quick kiss in front of adoring fans.
For his part, Jeff, 61, looked dapper in a white shirt and black suit before finishing the outfit with a pair of statement sunglasses.
Kim opted for a figure-hugging snakeskin dress for the celebration, while her sister Khloe donned a silver and black gown that accentuated her stunning curves.
Their mom Kris opted for a chic black frock that came complete with flowing, quarter length sleeves and floral embellishments.
She was accompanied by her longtime beau Corey Gamble, who matched her in an all-black suit.
Kendall wowed in a haltered white floral number that contained a thigh-high slit and a plunging neckline, while Kylie was seen in a striking lacy yellow dress.
Actor Orlando, who was notably without his fiancée Katy Perry as she's across the world on tour in Australia, looked handsome in a simple tan suit.
Leonardo tried to keep a low profile by wearing a black cap that covered his entire face, which he paired with a suit.
His girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti looked stunning in a gray dress that had intricate floral pieces on one shoulder and the chest area.
Khloe Kardashian joined her, donning a silver and black gown that accentuated her stunning curves
Kendall Jenner wowed in a haltered white floral number that contained a thigh-high slit and a plunging neckline
Football star Tom Brady was spotted in a button-down white shirt and black dress pants; he held a tan sports jacket to complete the look
Orlando and Tom enjoyed some bonding time together on the boat
Football star Tom Brady was also spotted heading to the event; he opted for a button-down white shirt and black dress pants and held a tan sports jacket to complete the look.
In addition, close pals Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey were also arriving at the celebration.
Gayle was seen in a white and yellow floral dress while Oprah flaunted her figure in a maroon and white number that had cut-outs on the midriff area.
Tommy Hilfiger opted for a striped, white suit while his wife Dee Ocleppo had on a tiny polka-dotted gown with enormous sleeves.
Ivanka Trump, who was joined by husband Jared Kushner, stunned in a white and gold mini dress adorned with floral pieces.
She showed off the look on Instagram, writing, 'Ready to celebrate the love story of our friends, @laurenwsanchez and @jeffbezos.'
While the festivities have just kicked off, an insider has claimed that the billionaire and the former journalist were already married.
A source closely connected to the organization of the week's events said: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month.
'The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.'
They added: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married.
His undercover look didn't stop photographers from noticing him as he exited his hotel and headed to the event
His girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti looked stunning in a gray dress that had intricate floral embellishments on one shoulder and the chest area
Usher looked dapper in a white suit with a maroon striped top
'There is no application for a wedding license from the couple because it was not required.
'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.'
The source claimed that Jeff had personally confirmed that he and Lauren are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion fortune.
But Venice will still see a party unlike any other. Lauren and Jeff are said to have rented out a number of places in the Italian city to celebrate the lavish, love-filled multi-day nuptials.
However, they've already had to move locations due to safety concerns amid protests - originally, they had planned a huge party planned at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia on Saturday night but it has now been moved to another venue in the Arsenale area of the city, according to local media.
Locals have been protesting the event for days, and around 20 activists were seen hours before the pre-wedding party in St Mark's Square, the iconic heart of Venice.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
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