The glittering Venice wedding parties kicked off on Thursday, marking the first of three days of celebration.
But behind the scenes, insiders reveal something surprising: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are already legally married.
According to a source close to the wedding planning team, the couple quietly tied the knot over a month ago in the United States, making the extravagant Venice events more of a grand celebration than a traditional wedding.
Already Wed, But Still Celebrating
The insider explained, “They were very clear from the start that the Venice event was not their official wedding day since they are already husband and wife.”
Because the marriage was legally registered in America, there was no need to apply for a wedding license in Italy.
That means any vows or ring exchanges during the Venice festivities won’t have legal standing under Italian law.
Bezos himself reportedly confirmed this secret marriage and also mentioned that he and Lauren have signed a prenuptial agreement to protect his massive fortune, estimated at $244 billion (£177 billion).
Venice Turns Into a Star-Studded Party Hub
Despite the legal technicalities, Venice is buzzing like never before.
The city, famously known as La Serenissima (The Most Serene Republic), is hosting a high-profile lineup of celebrities, politicians, and business magnates.
The “eve of” reception took place at the historic Madonna dell’Orto cloisters, where guests enjoyed finger food and pizza.
Security measures were intense — tents were set up to block drone photography, and police on jetskis patrolled the nearby canals.
Glamorous Guests and High-Profile Attendees
The guest list reads like a who’s who of global fame.
Among those in attendance are Orlando Bloom, recently single from Katy Perry; Tom Brady, the divorced sports icon; and billionaire music executive Scooter Braun.
Former President Barack Obama joined the festivities, a longtime friend of Bezos, who had also donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation in 2021.
The Kardashian clan was well represented too, with matriarch Kris Jenner close to Lauren Sanchez, and daughters Kim, Khloe, and Kylie Jenner all present.
Kylie arrived with a fleet of 25 pieces of monogrammed luggage arriving by water taxi.
Oprah Winfrey and her best friend Gayle King also came, both of whom recently joined Sanchez on Bezos’s Blue Origin space flight.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were there, although Donald Trump himself, despite reportedly being invited, did not attend.
Both Bezos and Sanchez were guests at Trump’s inauguration earlier this year, but Bezos’s Washington Post stirred controversy by not endorsing Kamala Harris in last year’s US election.
Queen Rania of Jordan and fashion icons Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were also spotted at the event.
Challenges and Last-Minute Changes
The lead-up to the celebrations hasn’t been smooth.
Local protests against the high-profile event caused organizers to rethink and revise their plans multiple times.
Political tensions worldwide, including recent US airstrikes in Iran, added to the complex backdrop.
Initially, Bezos’s $500 million yacht, the Koru, was to be docked in Venice, but it was relocated to Croatia to avoid the local unrest.
The venue for Saturday’s party was also switched from the Scuola della Misericordia to the more secure Arsenale shipyards.
Reports suggest singer Usher may perform, though rumors about Elton John and Lady Gaga appearing were denied.
Local protests have persisted, with some demonstrators arrested.
However, Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, assured the couple of their safety in the city center, which is why the intimate “eve of” reception was held at Madonna dell’Orto.
Private Moments Amid Public Spectacle
On Thursday afternoon, the couple and a few guests enjoyed a secluded lunch at Villa Baslini on the tiny island of San Giovanni Evangelista, perfectly shielded from the paparazzi frenzy.
Meanwhile, final preparations continued at the Arsenale, where the grand Saturday ball is planned.
An insider described the venue: “Warehouse 91 is stunning, decorated with gorgeous floral arrangements and massive chandeliers.
The theme is expected to be a Venetian masked ball, but security is tight — no photos allowed and phones are surrendered at the door.”
The Main Event and Lavish Details
The official ceremony is set for Friday at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, in an amphitheater restored by the Cini Foundation.
Bezos and Sanchez will exchange vows while Matteo Bocelli, son of famed tenor Andrea Bocelli, performs.
Guests can expect a sumptuous Venetian wedding breakfast with delicacies like cuttlefish stew, with a budget of around 1,000 Euros per person.
The festivities actually began on Wednesday evening with a drinks reception at the historic 16th-century Aman hotel overlooking the Grand Canal.
Afterwards, guests moved to a private dinner hosted by Diane von Furstenberg at the Palazzo Brandolini — a stunning 15th-century palazzo filled with mirrors, frescoes, and priceless art, including a famed Andy Warhol portrait series of von Furstenberg herself.
Old Friends and Influential Mentors
Diane von Furstenberg and her husband Barry Diller have long been close to the couple.
Diller, a mentor to Bezos for over a decade, called him a “very dear, very loving friend” and expressed admiration for Sanchez, a former TV anchor and helicopter pilot.
The couple was introduced to Venice’s charms through von Furstenberg and Diller, which likely influenced their decision to hold their celebrations here.
Interestingly, Bezos’s luxury yacht, the Koru, was inspired by Diller’s smaller three-masted yacht, Eos.
The family ties run deep — Cristina Brandolini, related to Diane’s first husband, lives at Palazzo Brandolini, and her grandson Marcantonio is providing custom glassware for the wedding through his company Laguna B.
The family’s own wine is also expected to be served.
Members of the Brandolini family have connections to the Obama White House and top fashion houses like Oscar de la Renta and Dolce & Gabbana.
An Unforgettable Celebration in the Heart of Venice
For those accustomed to elite circles and high-society events, the Bezos-Sanchez Venice celebration is shaping up to be nothing short of legendary — a blend of secrecy, star power, cultural grandeur, and Venetian elegance.
As the parties continue to unfold over the next days, all eyes remain fixed on the Most Serene Republic, watching one of the most talked-about unions of recent times.