It is now official: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, one of the richest men in the world, and former TV presenter Lauren Sánchez have tied the knot.

The 55-year-old posted a photo of the wedding party on her Instagram account, including the date June 27, 2025, in the US format 06/27/2025, accompanied by a red heart. She also changed her name to Lauren Sánchez Bezos.

The photo shows the beaming couple in a garden surrounded by around 200 guests, including many celebrities. The US billionaire wore a black tuxedo with a bow tie, while the former journalist donned a fitted white wedding dress with a veil.

The celebration was held strictly shielded from the public on the island of San Giorgio, located directly across from St Mark’s Square.

According to media reports, Sánchez had 27 dresses prepared for the exclusive and presumably exorbitantly expensive celebrations, which will continue until Sunday.

The A-list guests

Guests at the event, dubbed the wedding of the year, include Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom. Barbra Streisand, Mick Jagger and Elton John are also on the guest list, according to media reports.

The British tabloid Daily Mail has reported that Bezos and Sánchez secretly married in the United States a few weeks ago. Nobody in the couple’s entourage responded to dpa’s request for comment.

The 61-year-old Amazon founder – one of the world’s richest men with an estimated fortune of $220 billion – and 55-year-old Sánchez are both marrying for the second time. They have seven children combined from previous relationships.

Bocelli’s son sings Elvis classic

The party, held in the garden of an old Benedictine monastery on San Giorgio, was virtually invisible to the public. From a distance, however, the voice of Italian singer Matteo Bocelli, son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, could be heard performing the Elvis Presley classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Later, the sound of loud cheers from the guests followed.

On Saturday evening, a grand closing party is planned at a former shipyard. There is speculation about a performance by Lady Gaga. Due to concerns about protests or potential attacks, the event is being held under strict security and in great secrecy. Police and military personnel are stationed throughout the area. Bezos and Sánchez are staying in a luxury hotel directly on the Grand Canal, the world-famous waterway.

Venice is considered the epitome of romance, particularly for couples from Asia and the United States. Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife Amal also married here, albeit without the secrecy.

Wedding banquet: Pizza and pasta

The northern Italian celebration will feature a taste of southern Italy, with pizza, pasta and lemon dessert on the menu, according to the Corriere della Sera daily.

Three-star chef Fabrizio Mellino from the Amalfi Coast restaurant Quattro Passi is responsible, according to the newspaper.

The main course is said to be Spaghetti alla Nerano – a family recipe with fried zucchini and the aromatic cheese Provolone del Monaco.

Dessert will reportedly be a lemon, ricotta and pear creation by Sal de Riso, a patisserie also located on the Amalfi Coast. The wedding cake, meanwhile, is to come from Paris.

Pizza dough barrels from the Neapolitan district of Rione Sanità have reportedly also been spotted – stoking speculation that up-and-coming pizza chef Ciro Oliva will be at work too.

Lavish sums, large protests

The wedding costs are estimated at at least $10 million. The President of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, estimated them at €40 to €48 million ($47 to $56 million). He also claimed the event would generate an image boost for the region worth billions of euros.

Italian Culture Minister Daniela Santanchè estimated the overall economic effect of the wedding at €950 million.

The US billionaire donated €3 million to various city institutions according to his associates, an amount critics consider extremely small given his total wealth. The couple also asked their guests to forgo gifts and instead donate money for the restoration of Venice.

The up to €10 entry fee Venice charges visitors is waived for wedding guests.

The wedding has triggered several days of protest. Critics accuse the billionaire of flaunting his wealth and of wanting to buy the entire city for a weekend.

On the Campanile, the iconic bell tower on St Mark’s Square, the letters “FCK BZS” were projected with a laser installation, omitting the vowels needed to complete the obscene message aimed at Bezos.