When Venice becomes the backdrop for a billionaire’s wedding, expect fireworks—just maybe not the kind that light up the sky.
This past weekend, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez wrapped up their extravagant three-day celebration in Italy with a final night of festivities, a star-studded guest list, and a few secrets that have since come to light.
Let’s break down what really went down at the event being dubbed the “wedding of the century.”
Oprah, Kris, and a Glamorous Goodbye
Sunday morning saw some very famous faces making their stylish exits from Venice.
Oprah Winfrey and Kris Jenner were spotted walking arm-in-arm down the dock after the final bash of the Bezos-Sánchez wedding weekend.
They weren’t alone—Gayle King and Corey Gamble (Kris’ long-time partner) joined them for the farewell stroll.
Kris looked cheerful in a bold jungle-print outfit and oversized black sunglasses, while Oprah kept it timeless in an all-white ensemble, her arm wrapped warmly around Kris.
Gayle added a pop of color with a vibrant striped dress, smiling as she chatted with the group.
Billionaires Boarding Boats: Bill Gates and More Head Out
It wasn’t just the ladies saying their goodbyes.
Bill Gates, casually dressed in a black polo, trousers, and a baseball cap, was also seen departing after the marathon 72-hour celebration.
With a guest list that included everyone from Kim, Kendall, and Kylie to Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom, it’s no surprise this was a hard party to walk away from.
A Venetian Wedding Fit for Royalty—With a Twist
Jeff Bezos, 61, and Lauren Sánchez, 55, kicked off their wedding festivities on Thursday with the first of several lavish events.
The actual ceremony took place on Friday on the picturesque island of San Giorgio Maggiore, followed by what was essentially a celebrity-packed rave the next night.
But here’s the kicker—despite all the pageantry, the couple were already legally married before the Italian ceremony took place.
Wait—They Were Already Married?
According to sources close to the event, Bezos and Sánchez had tied the knot quietly in the U.S. over a month ago.
Because they had already handled the legal side of things stateside, their Italian “wedding” was more symbolic than official.
No marriage license was filed in Italy, and whatever vows or rings were exchanged there held no legal weight under local law.
Still, the couple went all in with traditional touches and high fashion, including a prenup to safeguard Bezos’ $244 billion fortune.
A Show-Stopping Wedding Look Inspired by Classic Cinema
Lauren Sánchez turned heads in a gown inspired by none other than Sophia Loren’s lace wedding dress from the 1958 film Houseboat.
The dress was custom-made by Dolce & Gabbana, who also designed Bezos’ tuxedo shirt.
In fact, a Vogue photoshoot—done the day after their final dress fitting—featured Sánchez posing braless in her new husband’s unbuttoned shirt, fully embracing the high-glam aesthetic.
She told Vogue the couple stuck to a few time-honored traditions—like not letting Bezos see the dress until the big moment.
A Space-Age Something Blue
Sánchez added some serious sentiment to her bridal ensemble.
Her “something borrowed” was a dazzling pair of Dolce & Gabbana earrings made from a single diamond stone.
But her “something blue” had a more cosmic twist—she carried a small memento from her Blue Origin spaceflight, an experience she called one of the most meaningful of her life.
She revealed the keepsake was brought back to Earth especially for Jeff, symbolizing a profound moment they both shared.
Protesters Say “No Thanks” to Bezos
Not everyone in Venice was popping champagne over the wedding.
Around 700 demonstrators gathered at the city’s Santa Lucia train station, waving banners and inflatable crocodiles.
Organized by the “No Space For Bezos” group, the protestors carried Amazon boxes repurposed with slogans like “Ordered, Shipped, Delivered, Rejected.”
Still, the Bezos-Sánchez crew remained unfazed.
With a guest list full of global elite and a price tag rumored to hover around £40 million, the couple carried on with their celebration, undeterred by the backlash.
A Love Story Years in the Making
This union marks the second marriage for both Bezos and Sánchez.
The two first got together while still married to other partners, eventually going public with their relationship—and now, tying the knot in both secrecy and style.
Between them, they have seven children and a history that’s been anything but conventional.
Lauren credited Bezos with “transforming her life,” and judging by this whirlwind wedding week, it seems the transformation is only just beginning.