After their spectacular, multi-day wedding festivities in Venice that reportedly cost millions, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have now set off on what promises to be an equally extravagant honeymoon.
Sources close to the couple say they’re embracing luxury every step of the way as they begin their first trip as newlyweds.
Though the exact details remain under wraps, it’s believed the couple enjoyed a peaceful lunch in the quaint Torcello area before heading to Nicelli airport.
From there, their high-end journey continued by helicopter, whisking them back to Bezos’ jaw-dropping $500 million superyacht, the “Koru” — one of the most impressive sailing yachts in the world.
Sailing to Sicily’s Stunning Taormina
The plan is for the “Koru” to sail toward Taormina, a charming Sicilian town that Bezos fell for during a previous trip along the coast and the Aeolian Islands.
The couple is expected to anchor there and indulge in the luxurious surroundings of the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace.
This hotel is famous not just for its lavishness — with suites costing upward of €7,000 a night — but also as the iconic filming location for season two of The White Lotus.
Nestled beside the Ionian Sea and under the watchful eye of the active Mount Etna volcano, the hotel sits near vineyards, an ancient Greek theater, and medieval villages, offering a perfect blend of history and natural beauty.
The Newlyweds’ Stylish Send-Off
On the day they departed Venice, the newlyweds were seen waving goodbye after their three-day celebration.
Lauren turned heads in a relaxed, sleeveless white dress with an elegant drape, accessorized with a wide-brimmed black hat and oversized sunglasses, perfectly embodying effortless chic under the Italian sun.
Jeff, opting for comfort after several formal days, kept it casual in a navy t-shirt, staying cool in the summer heat.
A Hotel Rich with History and Glamour
If Taormina is their destination, they’ll be staying at a hotel steeped in fascinating history.
The San Domenico Palace began as a convent gifted to the Dominican religious order in the 15th century by Baron Damiano Rosso d’Altavilla, who had embraced monastic life himself.
Over centuries, the convent housed a small community of monks until Italian laws in the 19th century threatened its ownership.
Thanks to an ancient will discovered by a devoted monk and the intervention of a descendant, the property remained protected and was transformed into one of Europe’s earliest grand hotels.
During the early 1900s, the hotel attracted elite visitors like King Edward VII, Oscar Wilde, and Baron Rothschild.
It later hosted lavish parties for Hollywood legends such as Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sophia Loren.
Though it was bombed during World War II, the hotel was rebuilt and reopened, maintaining its reputation as a glamorous hotspot, even hosting political leaders at the 2017 G7 summit.
Today, many people also associate it with the hit series The White Lotus.
The Epic Wedding Weekend in Venice
Described as “the wedding of the century,” Jeff Bezos, 61, and Lauren Sanchez, 55, exchanged vows on San Giorgio Maggiore island, surrounded by nearly 200 VIP guests.
Their three-day celebration began with a lavish series of parties, followed by an intimate ceremony and a star-studded rave featuring music from Usher and DJ Cassidy.
A-list celebrities like Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, and others dazzled as they departed Venice, many spotted enjoying the final festivities and bidding the city farewell.
Celebrity Sightings and High-Profile Guests
Kylie Jenner caught attention in a leopard print top and jeans, accompanied by her daughter Stormi, while Kendall showed off a casual but stylish summer look.
Orlando Bloom was seen smiling broadly, embracing his new bachelor status after recently calling off his engagement to Katy Perry.
Leonardo DiCaprio tried to stay low-key with a baseball cap and hoodie, while his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti impressed in a chic minidress.
NFL legend Tom Brady also made a relaxed exit in casual attire.
Kris Jenner shared a warm moment with Oprah Winfrey, both radiating elegance and good spirits.
Among the guests were Kim and Khloe Kardashian, who left the city early despite the ongoing celebrations.
Tech titan Bill Gates was spotted looking casual yet polished, accompanied by his girlfriend Paula Hurd.
Other billionaire guests included François-Henri Pinault and Barry Diller, while Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and Jared Kushner also made appearances with their children and family members.
The Cost and Controversy Behind the Scenes
The extravagant wedding reportedly cost around $20 million — pocket change for Bezos, whose fortune is estimated at £177 billion.
However, not everyone welcomed the spectacle; approximately 700 protesters gathered near Venice’s Santa Lucia railway station, voicing their disapproval with banners and inflatable crocodiles, organized by the No Space For Bezos group.
Despite the protests, the couple remained unfazed.
This was a second marriage for both, and they share seven children between them.
Rings, Traditions, and Secret Marriage
Before the big day, Lauren Sanchez was spotted flashing a simple wedding band that contrasted sharply with the dazzling 30-carat pink diamond ring Bezos gave her two years ago.
That sparkler was replaced with an even larger 35-carat white diamond estimated at $10 million.
Interestingly, sources reveal that Jeff and Lauren had already been legally married for over a month in the United States before the Venetian festivities.
Because of this, their ceremony in Italy had no legal standing under Italian law and was purely symbolic.
The couple also signed a prenuptial agreement to protect Bezos’ vast fortune.
Behind the Scenes: The Wedding Ceremony and Reception
The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed aboard the “Koru” yacht, was described as intimate and strictly no-phone.
About 70 of the 200 guests were family members.
Lauren shared with Vogue that her wedding dress was inspired by Sophia Loren’s iconic lace dress in the 1958 film Houseboat.
True to tradition, Bezos didn’t see the dress before the ceremony, despite begging to.
Lauren also wore “something borrowed” — a pair of Dolce & Gabbana earrings — and her “something blue” came from her Blue Origin spaceflight, a profound experience she wanted to share with Jeff.
Music, Celebration, and Love in Venice
Guests were welcomed with stirring trumpets, violins, and a soulful gospel choir, which returned to sing Whitney Houston’s Higher Love after the couple exchanged vows.
Opera singer Matteo Bocelli opened the reception with a touching rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.
Earlier that day, Lauren made a chic appearance stepping out of the Aman Venice hotel in a white Dior suit, headscarf, and oversized sunglasses, showcasing a dazzling new diamond ring that caught many eyes.
What Comes Next for the Bezos Couple?
With their lavish Venetian wedding behind them and a luxurious Sicilian honeymoon underway, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez seem to be savoring every moment of their new chapter together.
Surrounded by history, glamour, and natural beauty, their journey as husband and wife is off to an unforgettable start.