Ahead of their star-studded nuptials, the billionaire couple kicks off celebrations with Italian elegance, celebrity arrivals, and donations to Venice in lieu of gifts.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have officially set the tone for one of the year’s most glamorous weddings with a stunning pre-wedding dinner in Venice, Italy. On Wednesday, June 25, the power couple stepped out in style just hours after landing by helicopter, marking the beginning of a multi-day celebration filled with elegance, celebrity, and heartfelt generosity.
The Amazon founder, 61, and the Emmy-winning journalist, 55, arrived at the luxurious Aman Hotel earlier that day. Later in the evening, they were seen at a lavish dinner, exuding classic charm in the romantic Italian city that now plays host to their nuptial festivities.
Among those already in Venice to celebrate the couple are high-profile guests like Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Diane von Fürstenberg, and Corey Gamble. PEOPLE also confirmed that Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti are expected to attend.
Adding to the magic of the occasion, the couple has asked guests not to bring wedding gifts. Instead, they are making charitable donations on their guests’ behalf to aid the preservation and protection of Venice. Sebastiano Costalonga, a local city councillor, told PEOPLE, “We are definitely happy to have this funding for the protection of our very delicate city.”
Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, echoed this appreciation. “It’s an honor that they chose Venice. Venice once again reveals itself to be a global stage,” he said proudly.
This romantic celebration comes more than a year after Bezos proposed during a European vacation in May 2023. Sánchez, recalling the moment in a December 2023 Vogue interview, said she “blacked out a bit” when he presented her with a dazzling 30-carat engagement ring.
Earlier this May, Sánchez celebrated her bachelorette party in quintessential style at Lafayette’s in Paris. The intimate all-girls gathering featured 13 guests, including Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, and Eva Longoria. The Parisian evening was described as joyful and lighthearted, complete with espresso martinis, spontaneous dancing to Earth, Wind & Fire, and a surprise vanilla meringue cake.
As the wedding weekend continues to unfold, Bezos and Sánchez are not only celebrating their love but also leaving a lasting mark on the city that is hosting their union. With world-famous guests, a commitment to philanthropy, and a setting rich with history and charm, their Venetian wedding promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.
