Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez rent out entire Italian island for lavish six-day wedding

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are pulling out all the stops for what’s shaping up to be one of the year’s most extravagant celebrity weddings. The couple, engaged since 2023, are expected to tie the knot in a multi-day celebration on the Italian island of San Giorgio Maggiore, with festivities running from June 24 to 29.

On the logistics side, around 60 of Venice’s water taxis have been reserved, with a portion of the city’s 400 gondolas also out of commission for the week, another sign of the wedding’s big scale.

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For nearly a week, access to the island will be restricted to the public. “The island is ‘off-limits to visitors’ from June 24 to June 29,” an insider told Daily Mail, adding that the mayor of Venice believes the actual wedding ceremony could take place aboard Bezos' $500 million superyacht, Koru, which will be moored just offshore.

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Also part of the grand celebration, Venice's iconic Scuola Grande della Misericordia has been fully reserved from June 26 to 28. While it’s unclear whether this will host the ceremony or another wedding-related event, private tender boats will ferry guests between the island and the yacht.

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Despite the scale of the wedding, the event is expected to be relatively intimate in numbers. Around 200 guests are anticipated, with names like Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and members of the Trump family rumored to be on the exclusive guest list.

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To accommodate this VIP crowd, some of Venice’s most luxurious hotels are being booked out. Rooms at The Aman and Hotel Cipriani, where rates run upwards of $2,700 and $2,000 per night, respectively, are reportedly in high demand.

Guests will also indulge in some of Venice’s most beloved culinary offerings. Local favorite Rosa Salva Venetia will provide pastries for the celebration, serving up tiramisu, flaky cream-filled treats, and fritelli, a classic Italian fried dessert. However, the bakery will not be making the wedding cake.

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A source told Daily Mail that guests may receive “opulent” gifts simply for attending. While Bezos is taking care of the bill, much of the vision for the wedding is attributed to Sánchez, and when it comes to her dress, names like Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino are among the favorite designers.

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Between the location rentals, lavish accommodations, food, gifts, and attire, the wedding is estimated to cost between $15 and $20 million. Many are also wondering if the proud Latina is taking her husband’s last name. “Uh, yes, one hundred percent. I am looking forward to being Mrs. Bezos,” she confirmed to Vogue.