Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding in Venice: Everything you missed

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez have kicked off their lavish three-day wedding celebration in Venice this week – and festivities are already in full swing. HELLO! understands that the couple’s wedding ceremony will take place on the exclusive island of San Giorgio, in a private church nestled within the island’s renowned gardens, far from public view. 

200 guests will travel by gondola through the city, as Jeff has reserved the luxurious Aman Hotel to host his closest friends and family throughout the festivities. HELLO! even has our very own reporter, Isabelle Casey, on the ground in the floating city, ready to bring you all the inside information. During her visit to the sprawling venue, Isabelle observed a stunning floral color scheme featuring white and orange blooms, accented with touches of green and purple. 

The multi-million-dollar nuptials are expected to attract a star-studded guest list, so stay tuned for all the latest updates from what promises to be the wedding event of the year.

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have arrived in Venice, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most glamorous wedding of the year. The couple touched down in the romantic Italian city on Tuesday, ahead of the highly anticipated wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, where they'll be among the high-profile guests.

© GC Images

Miguel Bezos, the adoptive father of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, was spotted arriving in Venice on Wednesday as preparations ramp up for Jeff's wedding to Lauren. The Cuban-American immigrant, affectionately known as "Mike," helped raise Jeff from a young age after marrying his mother, Jackie. A former engineer at Exxon and a longtime philanthropist, Miguel played a pivotal role in Jeff’s upbringing and success. He was seen boarding a taxi-boat upon arrival, joining family and guests for the star-studded celebration in the heart of Italy.

© AFP via Getty Images

It's a scorcher in Venice this week, with daytime highs soaring into the low to mid-30s°C (90–95°F). The blazing summer heat is setting a sizzling backdrop for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's upcoming wedding celebrations. While guests will need to stay cool and hydrated, there's no doubt they'll have their fashion choices perfectly tailored to beat the heat - and still bring the glamour.

© AFP via Getty Images

Veteran Hollywood power player Barry Diller was spotted arriving at Venice Marco Polo Airport on Wednesday, adding more star power to the wedding guest list. The influential media mogul - best known as the chairman of IAC and a former top executive at Paramount and Fox - has long been part of the elite circles that intersect tech, media, and entertainment.

© GC Images

Fashion legend Diane von Fürstenberg brought her signature sophistication to the canals of Venice on Tuesday, arriving at Marco Polo Airport and making her way to a waiting boat in true Venetian style.

Wearing oversized sunglasses and flashing a relaxed, knowing smile, Diane looked effortlessly elegant as she snapped photos during the short walk to her private water taxi. 

© AFP via Getty Images

The couple will be including biscuits from Venice’s renowned E. Rosa Salva bakery in their wedding goodie bags. Although Jeff and Lauren haven't tasted them personally, a source tells HELLO!: "They didn’t need to as they're the best in Italy."

© HELLO!

No Venetian wedding would be complete without a classic Italian opera performance, and who better to lead it than Matteo Bocelli, the son of the legendary Andrea Bocelli. According to an exclusive source obtained by People, the 27-year-old is set to enchant guests with his stunning vocals during the intimate wedding reception. Matteo is no stranger to star-studded celebrations, having also performed at Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s wedding vows in Portofino, Italy.

© Getty Images

It's official - Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have arrived in Venice, setting the stage for what's expected to be one of the most extravagant weddings of the year. The couple was spotted cruising through the city's iconic canals by boat, looking relaxed.

The soon-to-be bride and groom made their way to the luxurious Aman Hotel, where they'll be staying ahead of the big day.

© AFP via Getty Images

The wedding will be held on the private island of San Giorgio, in an intimate church located within the island’s serene gardens – completely closed off to the public. HELLO! reporter Isabelle Casey explored the grounds ahead of the nuptials as they were being transformed for the ceremony. "As well as the private areas, the grounds feature a decadent labyrinth garden, a state of the art library and a 'monks garden'. As I stepped through the stone pillars, a beautiful operatic soprano voice echoed around the grounds," she shared. 

The city has grown noticeably busier ahead of the wedding, with excited tourists creating an electric buzz in the air, sensing that something special is underway. Because of the high-profile event, HELLO! reporter Isabelle Casey has noted that security guards are stationed at the gates, keeping watch over the wedding island

© Pierre Teyssot/AGF/Shutterstock

Lauren looked radiant, happy, and totally at ease as she waved to onlookers while arriving at the Aman Hotel. Dressed to impress and clearly soaking in the moment, she greeted the crowds with a warm smile ahead of her much-anticipated wedding to Jeff Bezos.

© GC Images

The paparazzi were close behind, following Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s boat as the couple made their way through the canals.

© GC Images

Lauren arrived in Venice wearing a chic all-black ensemble as she exuded effortless elegance. The journalist accessorized with a pair of black Celine sunglasses adorned with the brand's iconic logo emblem in gold.

© Getty Images

It has been reported that luxury brand Laguna B is providing the wedding favours for the ceremony, with each piece handcrafted and brought over from Murano—a nearby island renowned for its artisanal creations. A source told HELLO! that royal blue has been selected as the signature color for the celebration.

© Getty Images

The wedding is shaping up to be a star-studded affair, with a host of A-list names reportedly set to attend the nuptials. Among those on the guest list are Orlando Bloom, Eva Longoria, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Lachlan Murdoch, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Karlie Kloss, Kylie Jenner, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump, Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio and his partner Vittoria Ceretti, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Jessica Alba.

© Vendetta dailly / BACKGRID

Ivanka Trump was pictured arriving at the luxurious St. Regis Hotel, following an enjoyable day of sightseeing. To shield herself from the heat, she wore a stylish hat that perfectly complemented her chic green dress. Adding to the elegance of the moment, Ivanka arrived at the hotel by boat.

© ANDREA MEROLA/EPA/Shutterstock

The soon-to-be newlyweds made a spectacular entrance in Venice via helicopter. On Wednesday at midday local time, the helicopter departed Venice and landed on the support ship Abeona, which accompanies Jeff Bezos' yacht Koru - anchored just off the coast of Croatia. After the brief stop, the helicopter returned to Venice with the couple on board, touching down at the Venice Lido, the iconic venue that hosts the city's famous annual Venice Film Festival.

© COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID

Kris Jenner’s partner has arrived in Venice ahead of the wedding. Kris and the Kardashians, who are close friends of Lauren, are expected to arrive later today in time for tomorrow’s celebration. 

© Cobra Team / BACKGRID

Lauren and Jeff are heading out for dinner, with Lauren blowing kisses at the waiting crowds.

© AFP via Getty Images

The businesswoman wore a gorgeous vintage Alexander McQueen dress as she was seen leaving the Aman Hotel, with Jeff helping her down into their boat.

© GC Images

More details are emerging of how Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are spending their final days as an engaged couple, including bringing the nostalgia vibes.

Last week the pair hosted a foam party on Yacht Koru, with Lauren rocking a deep pink string bikini as she danced with her fiance.

Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, and Kris Jenner were spotted boarding a water taxi at Venice Marco Polo Airport as they arrived ahead of the wedding. Kim donned a sleek black Balenciaga two-piece, featuring a bandeau crop top and a floor-length skirt, paired with striking snake-print boots. Khloé embraced bold glamour in a figure-hugging leopard-print maxi dress, while Kris opted for classic elegance in a ruffled black gown.

© AFP via Getty Images

According to Forbes, Jeff has a net worth of $226.7 billion – ranking him among the top four richest individuals on the planet. Meanwhile, Lauren rose to fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor. She began her career at KTVK-TV in Phoenix before joining the syndicated entertainment show Extra. In 1999 she won an Emmy award for her time at KCOP-TV where was employed as an anchor for UPN 13 News.

Between 2011 and 2017, she starred as a co-host on Fox's Good Day LA show.Lauren has featured in a number of movies such as The Day After Tomorrow, Fight Club and Ted 2. As of 2018, Jeff's future wife has a reported fortune of $30million – and she even launched her very own production company, Adventure & Fellowship.

In 2021, Jeff and Lauren purchased a sprawling beachfront home in Hawaii for an eye-watering $78million. The stunning property boasts its very own private sandy beach, an outdoor kitchen with ocean views, 14 acres, a swimming pool and a guest house.

© GoogleMaps

Oprah Winfrey was spotted boarding a taxi boat at Venice Marco Polo airport ahead of the nuptials. The talk show host donned an all-white sweatpants set with a pair of stylish sunglasses and white sneakers. 

© Getty Images

The couple hosted a cocktail reception on Wednesday evening in the tranquil gardens of the Aman Hotel. Adding a personal touch, Lauren and Jeff made a joyful entrance to the classic tune Brown Eyed Girl before they later headed off to dinner.

© Getty Images

HELLO! understands that Elton John will be performing at the wedding. Elton John and his husband David Furnish own a luxury apartment on the island of Giudecca, just across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square and a stone's throw away from the private island.

© Getty Images

Preparations are in full swing on San Giorgio, where a marquee has been erected and a private jetty set up – both tucked away from public view – in anticipation of the upcoming nuptials.

Jeff hasn’t always been known for his shaved head and bulging biceps. Back in the ’90s, he wore round wire-frame glasses and rocked a classic combover. However, the Amazon CEO began working with personal trainer Wes Okerson, incorporating low-impact weight and resistance training into his routine. Lauren once called Jeff a "monster," and joked that she cannot do the same workouts as Jeff because "he's on a whole different level than I am".

© Instagram

Tom Brady kept it casual as he arrived at Venice Marco Polo Airport as he sported a khaki sweatpants set paired with a white baseball cap.

© Getty Images