With more glamour than a film premier and more celebrities than the Oscars, the Sanchez and Bezos wedding was one for the ages.
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos tied the knot on June 27, turning the historic city of Venice into the world’s most exclusive runway. While the wedding was relatively small with around 200 guests, it brought together some of the world’s most famous and influential for a weekend of revelry and high fashion. The ceremony and related festivities were held across several Venetian landmarks, with guests ferried around the city in traditional open-air water taxis. The mode of transport ensured that every arrival and departure was visible to photographers and onlookers, adding to the already heightened media attention.
Lauren Sanchez donned a custom wedding gown from Dolce & Gabbana, featuring a mermaid silhouette and Italian lace. While the look was reportedly inspired by Sophia Loren’s wedding dress in the 1958 film “Houseboat”, it received mixed reactions. The long sleeves, high neck and heavy lace seemed stifling for a hot June wedding outdoors.
But despite the criticism, the bride’s look earned praise from Vogue, which featured her on the cover of their June edition.
The infamous Kardashian and Jenner clan turned out in full force for the wedding weekend, with Kris, Kim, Khloé, Kendall and Kylie in attendance. Kris Jenner dressed elegantly in a tasteful, vintage Valentino dress, while Khloé sparkled in a sequined pink gown and feather trimmed stole that perfectly evoked the wedding’s Venetian theme. Kylie’s pale grey gown by Dilara turned heads, but not for the right reasons.
The color was so close to white some thought that Kylie committed a fashion faux pas in wearing a shade traditionally reserved for the bride alone. While it was likely unintentional, the color gives the impression the reality star was trying to upstage the bride. In contrast, Kendall wore the most understated look of the family, with a minimalistic black dress by Tom Ford and an exquisite emerald necklace and earrings set.
The look was simple, elegant and classy.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend, the Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti, wore another stand-out look from the Bezos wedding. Similar to Kendall Jenner, she opted for a floor-length black gown from Dolce & Gabbana paired with a statement diamond necklace. While her gown was unpretentious, a supermodel can make anything look striking. In contrast, her boyfriend evaded the paparazzi with a ball cap pulled low over his face and largely avoided the limelight.
Amongst the Hollywood royalty, a real monarch was also in attendance. Queen Rania of Jordan stepped out for the wedding ceremony in a stunning seafoam green gown and wrap by Armani. The gown was tasteful, featuring a subtle floral design. Her appearance added a regal touch to the guest list.
The estimated $50 million wedding, though a minor expense for the Amazon founder and world’s third-richest man, did not go unnoticed by locals. While the festivities dazzled international audiences, they also drew criticism from Venetian residents. Protests erupted over the weekend, with activists voicing concerns about the disruption to daily life and the environmental impact of hosting such a high-profile event in a fragile historic setting.
The newlyweds are now honeymooning in Taormina, Sicily, where they are reportedly staying at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace featured in Season 2 of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” For Bezos and Sanchez, it was a dream wedding; for many Venetians, it was a spectacle that came at a cost.
