<a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/06/28/lauren-sanchez-chose-classic-dolce-and-gabbana-wedding-gown-to-marry-jeff-bezos-in-italy-it-took-over-900-hours-to-make/” title=”Inside Lauren Sanchez's Classic Dolce & Gabbana Wedding Dress”>venice, Italy—The historic waterways of Venice became the backdrop for one of the most anticipated and lavish high-profile weddings of the year as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former journalist Lauren Sanchez celebrated their union. The multi-day Venetian extravaganza, culminating in a private ceremony on Friday, June 27, 2025, reportedly blended immense luxury with tight security and moments of local friction.
The main wedding ceremony took place on the secluded island of San Giorgio Maggiore, located within the iconic San Marco sestiere. This Renaissance-era gem, known for its stunning marble basilicas designed by Andrea Palladio, offered the couple a degree of privacy amid the bustling city. While beautiful, the choice of a highly controlled island location was also reportedly a pragmatic decision aimed at ensuring security and limiting accessibility following earlier planned venue changes linked to local protests.
Some 200 guests, a constellation of celebrities, business titans, and cultural figures, were photographed boarding elegant water taxis on Friday afternoon, ferried across the lagoon to the island’s festivities. The guest list was notably exclusive, featuring names like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Usher, Karlie Kloss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, Ellie Goulding, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and members of the famous Kardashian-Jenner family, including Kim and Khloé Kardashian. While guests were highly visible during transit, visibility seemingly ceased upon arrival, with reports suggesting adherence to a social media blackout throughout the weekend’s private events.
Unveiling the Bridal Style: Gowns and Glamour
Lauren Sanchez’s highly anticipated wedding day look was unveiled shortly after the ceremony via a digital cover from Vogue. Her primary ceremony dress was a breathtaking custom creation by Dolce & Gabbana, a design that reportedly took a year and a half, culminating in 900 hours, to bring to life. The white lace mermaid gown featured a high neckline, a corseted bodice, and was adorned with 180 silk chiffon-covered priest buttons down the front. Sanchez revealed the gown was inspired by the veil and dress worn by screen icon Sophia Loren in the 1958 film Houseboat. She described it as a deliberate “departure from what people expect,” opting for a more covered yet intensely detailed look that reflected her current self.
But the style statements didn’t stop there. According to Vogue, Sanchez had two additional outfit changes throughout the evening. For the wedding dinner, she donned a sweetheart-neck dress, another cinematic nod, referencing the 1946 film Gilda. Later, she changed into an intricate cocktail dress by Oscar de la Renta, sparkling with approximately 175,000 crystals.
Before the main ceremony, Sanchez was seen arriving at San Giorgio Maggiore in a chic ’60s-inspired ensemble: a white tailored skirt suit from Dior paired with a printed silk scarf wrapped elegantly around her head in the style of Audrey Hepburn. She completed the look with Jimmy Choo heels and an Hermès Kelly handbag. Jeff Bezos complemented his bride in a classic three-piece black tuxedo, also seen arriving by water taxi.
The guests themselves showcased an array of luxury fashion throughout the multi-day event, stepping out in vintage Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, and Versace. Notable guest outfits included Kylie Jenner in a powder blue lace-up corset gown, Kim Kardashian in a shimmering dark toffee-colored dress, and Oprah Winfrey in a draped pink mermaid silhouette gown with lace embroidery. Ivanka Trump wore a strapless pink sequined gown, and Queen Rania of Jordan was seen in a pale green gown with floral appliqués.
The Ceremony and Sounds of Celebration
While the specifics of the ceremony itself remained private, sources indicate Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez likely exchanged rings symbolically during the event. It’s important to note that the wedding ceremony held in Venice was reportedly ceremonial, not legally binding. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office in Venice confirmed that the city had not received an official request from the couple for a civil marriage, suggesting the legal union likely occurred previously in the United States.
The celebration included a rich musical program. Italian media reported that Matteo Bocelli, son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, opened the evening by performing Elvis Presley’s timeless hit, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” A gospel choir was also stationed on the island, adding vibrant sounds with songs like Emeli Sandé’s “Higher Love” and Florence + The Machine’s “You’ve Got the Love.” Reports also mentioned a live string quartet providing background music and a DJ later in the evening. For the grand finale of the multi-day festivities on Saturday, pop superstar Lady Gaga was rumored to perform at the Arsenale, Venice’s historic shipyard complex that has been modernized for cultural events.
Adding another layer of luxury, Jeff Bezos reportedly gifted Lauren Sanchez a stunning $5 million diamond necklace featuring a large center stone and matching earrings, which she planned to wear during the wedding weekend.
Navigating Protests and Security Concerns
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the event was not without its challenges. Ongoing protests in Venice, fueled by concerns over over-tourism, wealth inequality, and disruption to daily life, reportedly led to a last-minute change in the wedding’s primary reception venue. The reception was originally planned for the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a historic building in the city center. However, following threats from activist groups, including the reported threat to obstruct canals with inflatable crocodiles, the reception was moved to the Arsenale. This fortified former shipyard complex is considered significantly more challenging for protesters to access.
The “No Space for Bezos” campaign group claimed credit for the venue relocation. Activists also unfurled banners, including a Greenpeace Italia banner in St Mark’s Square featuring Bezos laughing with the message: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax.” Protesters voiced frustration that a single billionaire could seemingly “rent a city” for personal pleasure, highlighting tensions surrounding the impact of ultra-wealthy individuals on historic sites grappling with excessive visitor numbers.
Heightened security was a notable aspect of the wedding weekend, amplified partly by the influx of high-profile guests and potentially by broader international security concerns. Authorities increased security measures across the city, and reports indicated the couple had over 20 security personnel dedicated to their event, creating what some described as a “fortress-like operation” in Venice. The shift to the Arsenale, which can be secured by raising its bridges, underscored the significance of security in the planning.
Local Impact and Philanthropic Gestures
The presence of the wedding party and guests had a significant economic impact on Venice. While specific figures vary, some estimates suggested the celebrations could generate a substantial portion of the city’s annual tourism turnover in just one weekend. Venice city officials generally welcomed the event, with the mayor expressing pride in hosting such a high-profile occasion. The deputy mayor commented that Venice operates in a “different league,” attracting those who compete to marry there. Local businesses, such as the historic pastry-maker Rosa Salva and glassware firm Laguna B, also reportedly benefited, with the couple’s wedding planners, Lanza and Baucina (the same firm behind George and Amal Clooney’s Venice wedding), aiming to utilize around 80% local Venetian vendors and organizations.
However, this economic boost was juxtaposed with the vocal protests, highlighting the ongoing debate in Venice about finding a balance between tourism revenue and preserving the city’s character for its residents.
In a gesture reflecting their immense wealth, the wedding invitation reportedly requested guests forgo personal gifts. Instead, the invitation suggested donations be made on behalf of guests to specific Venetian charities, including the UNESCO Venice Office, dedicated to safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage. This request offered a philanthropic dimension to the highly publicized event.
Immediately following the ceremony, Lauren Sanchez publicly acknowledged the union by changing her Instagram account handle to Lauren Sanchez Bezos, marking the new chapter for the couple. Both Bezos and Sanchez were previously married; Jeff Bezos divorced MacKenzie Scott in 2019, and Lauren Sanchez divorced Patrick Whitesell the same year. Their engagement was announced in May 2023 after approximately five years of dating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What island was Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding on?
The main wedding ceremony for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez took place on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy. This private island, known for its beautiful Renaissance architecture, offered a secluded and secure location for the high-profile event. Guests were transported to the island via water taxis.
Why did Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez change their wedding reception location in Venice?
Reports indicate the couple changed their wedding reception venue from the historic Scuola Grande della Misericordia to the Arsenale due to concerns over potential disruptions from local protests and heightened security requirements. Activist groups like “No Space for Bezos” had planned demonstrations against the event, raising issues of over-tourism and wealth inequality in Venice.
Who designed Lauren Sanchez’s wedding dress and what was it like?
Lauren Sanchez’s main ceremony wedding dress was a custom design by Dolce & Gabbana. It was a white lace mermaid gown featuring a high neckline, a corseted bodice, and 180 silk chiffon-covered priest buttons. The design was reportedly inspired by the dress worn by actress Sophia Loren in the 1958 film Houseboat.
Conclusion
The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice was undoubtedly a spectacle of global attention, blending extraordinary wealth and celebrity glamour with the timeless beauty of one of Italy’s most iconic cities. While the multi-day event generated significant economic activity for local vendors and drew praise from city officials for its profile, it also ignited debate among residents and activists about the impact of large-scale, high-luxury tourism. From the symbolic ceremony on a private island to the exquisite fashion and intricate planning navigating protests and security, the celebration offered a unique glimpse into the intersection of ultra-wealth, privacy, and public scrutiny in the modern age. The decision to request donations to Venetian charities instead of gifts added a layer of philanthropic intent to an event that otherwise epitomized lavish spending. As Lauren Sanchez marked their union publicly, the Venetian wedding solidified their status as a prominent power couple.
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