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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez ‘dial down the bling’ on Venice wedding after furore around THAT all-female space flight… but it’ll still cost nearly £10m, ALISON BOSHOFF reveals

BBG News

Later this month, everyone’s attention is bound to focus on Venice as Jeff Bezos, a towering figure in finance, ties the knot with his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez.

In the heart of Italy, everyone anticipates an extravagant showcase of wealth from Amazon’s founder Bezos, known for his deep pockets, and Miss Sanchez, who exudes a flair for excitement.

Although the couple and their famous friends boast substantial wealth and popularity, what’s intriguing is that this gathering will turn out to be a low-key, rather intimate affair, shying away from the spotlight, quite surprisingly. It’s humble, indeed.

Given that only about 200 attendees (far less than initially anticipated) graced the occasion, and reports suggesting the total cost was under £10 million, it’s evident that the couple opted for a more subdued extravagance, scaling back on the opulence.

According to my reliable insider: ‘The wedding underwent a simplification.’ In fact, despite the groom’s staggering net worth of $220 billion and his annual yacht maintenance costing $34 million (that’s his yacht, the half-billion-dollar Koru), the wedding is reportedly going to be quite economical.

The large ship will anchor at San Basilio, which is the nearest point it can reach towards Venice’s center due to rules designed to preserve the city’s delicate environment, and will be visible from Hotel Cipriani, a popular accommodation for many visitors.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share the scoop on this exclusive event! It seems that the lucky trio of Jeff, Lauren, and their immediate families will be enjoying the luxurious nine-bedroom yacht all to themselves. The rest of us lesser mortals will be divided between the nearby Cipriani and Aman hotels.

Now, here’s where it gets really exciting! The one famous couple we know for sure is going to grace our presence is none other than Orlando Bloom and his fabulous wife Katy Perry. And if the stars align just right, we might even get a glimpse of Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. However, their attendance is still up in the air at this point. So, fingers crossed!

In this case, the individuals of honor will be Jackie (Bezos’ mother), who gave birth to Jeff at 17, and Mike Bezos (his adoptive father and lifelong inspiration).

In 1995, the couple lent him $245,000, their entire life savings, to launch Amazon. Today, Mike – who heads the Bezos family foundation – is an extraordinary person, given that he immigrated to the U.S. on his own at the age of 16, having come from Cuba.

Instead of grandiose plans, why the more modest approach? I can see that one factor was the PR backlash from Blue Origin’s ‘space flight’ in April, where Lauren and her crew, including Perry, wore form-fitting space suits to travel near Earth’s atmosphere. The project received significant criticism for being a pointless spectacle.

The couple reportedly chose not to send physical or digital invitations to avoid drawing attention, preferring a low-key approach instead. They’ve also significantly reduced their guest list to only the essential few. A guest described it as ‘very charming, very subtle’, noting that it won’t be an extravagant, showy event.

‘They realize the space flight critique was justified, and they’re addressing this by becoming more mindful and avoiding actions that might be seen as dismissive or insensitive, similar to Marie Antoinette.’

As a lifestyle expert, I must say, it’s easy to underestimate Lauren and Jeff due to their humble demeanor. However, let me clarify that they are indeed good people with a heartfelt intention for their wedding. They aim for it not to be a symbol of global disparities, but simply an occasion of joy and unity. Regarding the location of their celebrations, while it’s expected to be stunningly beautiful and exclusive, it is just one aspect of their special day.

Reports from Venice suggest that the upcoming wedding ceremony might take place at Fondazione Cini, which is a monastery situated on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Importantly, this date – June 25 – is speculated to be the chosen day for the nuptials because the foundation is typically closed to the public on Wednesdays, making it available for private events.

As a venue that has previously played host to two G7 summits, it boasts comprehensive security measures and privacy, making it an ideal spot near where the Koru is expected to berth.

Reports also suggest that there will be festivities taking place at the luxury apartment of Bezos’ friend Diane von Furstenberg’s palazzo. It is said that all 79 rooms of the extravagant Hotel Cipriani, known for its grandeur, have been reserved from June 24th to 26th. A single night in one of their high-end suites usually costs approximately £20,000. The Hotel Cipriani is famous for having the largest pool in Venice and the Casanova gardens, where the renowned Casanova would often meet his romantic interests.

It’s thought that the pair made a reservation for the Aman Canal Grande, a grand 24-bedroom palace, which was used as the venue for George Clooney’s wedding to attorney Amal in 2014.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m closely working with the office of the Mayor of Venice to ensure any upcoming events cause minimal disturbance to the city and its residents. However, there is a group of locals who are expressing their concerns about over-tourism and have planned peaceful protests. I encourage everyone visiting this stunning city to respect its culture and environment, and understand why these demonstrations are taking place.

‘This city is not for sale, it is not a playground for the rich,’ said activist Ruggero Tallon.

Additional reporting: Silvia Marchetti

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2025-06-09 03:51

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