It’s not every day that a sleepy, half-forgotten island in the Venetian Lagoon finds itself at the center of a global media frenzy.
But that’s exactly what’s happening on San Giovanni Evangelista, a tiny, serene speck of land usually home to just 11 residents.
This week, it’s being transformed into the exclusive backdrop for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s pre-wedding gala.
From Quiet Venice to A-List Buzz
San Giovanni is better known for its peaceful views and ancient charm than celebrity sightings, but the arrival of the Amazon founder and his soon-to-be wife is changing all that.
The modest five-bedroom Villa Baslini, once part of a long-lost monastery, will now host an elite crowd for a dinner in the vineyard—under presidential-level security.
Expected among the 200 billionaire guests? Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, media tycoon Barry Diller and his wife Diane von Furstenberg, among others.
They’ll all arrive by boat, unless you’re Lauren Sanchez—she’ll likely take a helicopter and land on the helipad of Abeona, the mega-yacht that serves as the support vessel for Bezos’s $500 million Koru yacht.
High-Profile Wedding, Low-Key Drama
Originally pitched as the wedding of the century with a $50 million budget, the event has taken quite a few turns.
Amid global criticism following a Bezos-funded all-female Blue Origin spaceflight—which featured Sanchez herself—the couple opted to scale things down.
What was intended to be a feminist triumph was instead viewed as a tone-deaf publicity stunt.
Since then, the couple has worked to reshape the narrative: this isn’t about extravagance, they insist, but a close-knit family celebration.
The guest list remains elite, but the tone is more subdued.
The budget has reportedly dropped to a more modest (for billionaires) $5 million.
Security Shaken by Global Events
Security became a serious concern following escalated Middle East tensions.
The original plan was to anchor Bezos’s prized Koru yacht in central Venice, making it the social centerpiece of the festivities.
But those plans were abandoned. Koru is now anchored safely off the Croatian island of Cres, far from potential threats.
The gala on San Giovanni kicks off the three-day celebration.
The ceremony itself will take place on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, within the private gardens behind the church.
The amphitheater-style venue—refurbished by Foster + Partners—can host up to 1,500 guests and features anti-drone measures to block aerial paparazzi.
Glimpses Behind the Curtain
Despite the tight-lipped approach to wedding details, one local guide inadvertently leaked part of the guest list via a clipboard at Venice airport.
It revealed names like celebrity chef Cedric Grolet, Dolce & Gabbana designer Samuel Aaron Horowitz, and sculptor Edoardo Tresoldi.
Notably, Sanchez’s first-choice nail artist was marked a no-show.
There are also rumors of secret side parties scattered across the lagoon’s smaller islands, private yacht gatherings, and museum tours at places like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Fashion, Fireworks, and a Venetian Fairy Tale
According to fashion insiders, Sanchez will wear Dolce & Gabbana for the ceremony—not because of any brand deal, but because she likes their style and they’re kind to her.
Oscar de la Renta will reportedly feature in other looks throughout the weekend.
There’s even chatter about one event having a pajama dress code.
After the ceremony, guests will head to a lavish dinner in the cloisters or Palladian state rooms.
Fireworks are planned, and Anna Wintour may attend—though her Dior commitments in Paris could pull her away.
Saturday will culminate in a ball at the Arsenale, Venice’s historic shipyard.
Though not traditionally romantic, it offers the perfect mix of space and security.
Other rumored venues, like Scuola Grande della Misericordia, have been ruled out for logistical reasons.
Where Romance Meets Reputation
The Bezos-Sanchez love story started nearly a decade ago, quietly blooming through a working relationship turned tabloid affair.
The couple became official in 2019, and their engagement followed in 2023 with a $2.5 million pink diamond.
Since then, they’ve built a high-profile philanthropic life.
Sanchez is Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund and supports numerous educational and humanitarian initiatives.
Local sources say that a significant charitable donation to Venetian causes will follow the wedding, though the couple is careful to avoid any optics suggesting they’re “buying” Venice.
A Grand Finale
Following the celebrations, the Koru will sail to Taormina, Sicily, where Bezos and Sanchez plan to spend time at the luxe San Domenico Palace—famous for its White Lotus appearance.
And while the wedding may be smaller than first imagined, it’s still a lavish, cinematic affair only someone with a $224 billion net worth could pull off—even with a few bumps along the way.