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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have officially kicked off their extravagant wedding festivities in Venice, Italy. The multi-day event began on Thursday evening with a glamorous pre-wedding reception at the historic Madonna dell'Orto cloister, where pedestrian access was restricted by city authorities to preserve privacy.
Despite the high-profile guest list, the celebration has been kept largely under wraps, with attendees observing a social media blackout. Among the possible venues for the main event is the prestigious Cini Foundation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, although official confirmation remains elusive.
The celebration is expected to span three days, drawing approximately 200 guests and costing an estimated \$46.5 to \$55.6 million. According to city officials, the event could generate up to \$35 million in economic benefits for Venice. The city has hosted similar celebrity weddings in the past, including those of George and Amal Clooney, and Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault.
Celebrity sightings in Venice have included Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner. Sanchez's bridal look for the pre-wedding celebration featured a shimmering brocade corset dress by Schiaparelli, while Kim Kardashian wore an archival Versace snakeskin dress from 1994. Trump opted for a cherry blossom Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress.
The couple's wedding plans have been overseen by luxury planners Lanza and Baucina, who also managed the Clooney wedding. In response to anticipated protests by climate activist groups, including Extinction Rebellion and No Space for Bezos, some events were moved from central Venice to less public locations. The planners stated that the couple requested minimal disruption to the city and a strong emphasis on using local suppliers.
About 80 percent of the wedding's provisions are being sourced from Venice vendors, including traditional pastries from Rosa Salva and gifts from Murano glassmaker Laguna B. Around 30 elite water taxis have been reserved, and gondolas remain on standby. As the celebrations unfold, the exact timing of the legal ceremony remains unclear, with no formal request filed at Venice City Hall.
