The tranquil little island of San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice, usually untouched by celebrity chaos, is about to witness a rare spectacle.
Tucked away near Torcello with only 11 recorded residents and a modest five-bedroom villa, the island is playing host to none other than Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez for their pre-wedding gala.
Bezos and Sanchez Take Over Venice
While the location is known for its peace, that quiet is about to be broken as nearly 200 wealthy guests descend upon the island.
Among them are big names like Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Barry Diller, and Diane von Furstenberg.
Guests will dine on long tables in the island’s vineyard, protected by high-level security.
Most will arrive by boat, while Sanchez is expected to land by helicopter from their mega-yacht’s support vessel, the Abeona.
The Venue: A Hidden Gem
Villa Baslini, the restored guesthouse formerly part of a monastery, has been locked in for the event.
This exclusive venue is typically booked solid for years.
The wedding planners — a boutique team based in London — seemingly pulled off a miracle in securing it.
Scaling Back Amid Criticism
Originally dubbed “the wedding of the century,” plans for the event were toned down dramatically.
The decision came after public backlash over Sanchez’s all-female spaceflight aboard Blue Origin, which critics viewed as a tone-deaf luxury stunt.
Now, instead of a $50 million blowout, the couple reportedly trimmed the budget to around $5 million, reframing the event as a more personal, family-focused affair.
Security Concerns Reshape Plans
Geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Middle East, forced a complete rethink of logistics.
Bezos’s prized $500 million yacht, the Koru, was meant to anchor in Venice as a backdrop to the wedding, but it’s now staying off the Croatian coast for security reasons.
Guests and the couple themselves are expected to travel between Croatia and Venice via private jet or helicopter.
A Peek at the Guest List
A mishap at the airport revealed part of the exclusive guest list.
A tour guide’s clipboard was spotted listing arrivals and accommodations, inadvertently exposing names like pastry chef Cedric Grolet, designer Samuel Aaron Horowitz, and sculptor Edoardo Tresoldi.
It also revealed that Sanchez’s preferred nail artist had canceled.
The Wedding Day Lineup
Thursday’s gala kicks things off on San Giovanni Evangelista.
Friday is the main event, with the wedding taking place on San Giorgio Maggiore, a picturesque private island just off Venice’s Grand Canal.
The ceremony will be held in the island’s amphitheatre, with its white stone tiers and newly added canopy.
Dinner will follow in one of the island’s historical buildings, capped off with fireworks.
Fashion powerhouse Anna Wintour has reportedly been advising Sanchez, who will wear a Dolce & Gabbana gown for the ceremony.
Wintour also helped pick out a tux for Bezos. Expect multiple outfit changes, possibly over a dozen, including Oscar de la Renta ensembles.
The Final Bash
Saturday’s festivities will conclude with a grand ball at the Arsenale, Venice’s vast former shipyard now used for art exhibitions and major events.
Though not the most scenic spot, it’s ideal for privacy and production.
There are whispers of additional secret events happening across lesser-known lagoon islands, museum tours, and yacht parties.
Looking Ahead to Sicily
After the Venice extravaganza, the newlyweds plan to retreat to Taormina, Sicily, anchoring at the luxurious Four Seasons San Domenico Palace.
Vogue or Vanity Fair is expected to carry the official wedding photos.
From Scandal to Celebration
Bezos and Sanchez met nearly a decade ago, sparking their romance while working on a space documentary.
Though their affair made tabloid waves, they’ve since turned their story into a philanthropic partnership.
Sanchez is now vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund and active in several major charity efforts.
Though met with criticism and protest, the couple are expected to make a sizable donation to Venice-related causes after the wedding.
Their planners promise minimal disruption to the city and significant local engagement.
Time will tell if the world sees this as a glamorous love story or an over-the-top display of wealth.
For now, Venice braces itself for the grandest wedding it’s seen in years.