Stealthy nuptials of Bezos-Sanchez: Unveiling the clandestine wedding preparations in Venice
Amidst the buzz surrounding a potential disruption, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's highly anticipated Venetian wedding, dubbed as a jaw-dropping extravaganza, struggles to maintain its secrets. This crypto-rich couple, who landed in the city on Wednesday, has pledged an air of mystery around the celebrations, expected to unfold from June 25-27.
At popular watering hole Harry's Bar, renowned for serving Ernest Hemingway, there's an anticipation that a few of the 200 affluent guests - an intriguing mix of A-list celebrities, distinguished political figures, and influential business tycoons - might swing by for a famous Bellini cocktail. Whether the showstopper groom-to-be Jeff Bezos will follow in George Clooney's footsteps and hang out at Harry's Bar with his unnamed groomsmen is anyone's guess. A waiter yakked to our sources, "We sure as hell hope so!"
The city's gossip mills are spinning like crazy, speculating about details of the festivities. From the big day itself to the guest list and possible venues, rumors are flying thick and fast.
Operation Venetian Wedding is being supervised by Lanza and Baucina - the mastermind event planners responsible for the Clooneys' grandiose waterfront wedding. And despite the protesters' claims that there's no room in Venice for a Bezos wedding, the couple insists that their plans are both respectful of the city's unique challenges and intent on minimizing any disruption.
But the threat of a canal blockade could already have left its mark on the proceedings: No Space for Bezos claimed victory on Tuesday, as they claimed one of the parties may be relocated to the Arsenale - an expansive shipyard outside the city center. Opposition has also cropped up in the form of anti-Bezos banners and tarps strung up around the city, mainly from disgruntled locals and protest groups like Greenpeace.
Despite these challenges, the upcoming nuptials have led to some unexpectedly positive developments. For instance, the couple has pledged €1 million ($1.16 million) to the Corila Consortium - an international scientific research group dedicated to the Venice lagoon. As Luca Zaia, president of the surrounding Veneto region, cheered, "This is a city that handles 150,000 people a day. George Clooney, Francois-Henri Pinault, and Salma Hayek, Alexandre Arnault, Elton John, and many others got married here."
Aside from the guest list - which remains tightly under wraps - the bride-to-be Lauren Sanchez's extravagant bachelorette party in Paris last month may serve as a clue as to which celebrity pals will be in attendance. Speculations point to the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Katy Perry dropping by to celebrate Sanchez's big day. With Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, and Ivanka Trump invited, according to the Associated Press, one can only imagine the fabulous animal print frenzy that might ensue!
Like a chameleon bridal gown, Sanchez will be keeping her wedding dress a mystery until the grand reveal. However, eagle-eyed fashion insiders won't forget that she's a regular Dolce & Gabbana wearer. It's also possible that she could sport an Oscar de la Renta creation - given her close relationship with the brand and her notable attendance at the 2024 Met Gala in a custom-made gown by the label.
All signs point towards a blockbuster wedding week in Venice, with top-notch local goodies like pastries from the Rosa Salva pastry shop filling the festivities. The city's elites are getting in on the action, too, with around 30 of the city's exclusive water taxis reportedly reserved for the big day. Secrecy surrounds the exact venue, with several rumored locations - including the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia - still up in the air.
The big day itself remains under tight secrecy, with the couple intent on keeping everyone guessing until the very last minute. However, a traffic ordinance by Venice City Hall, released on Wednesday, revealed that the wedding - involving a globally renowned business titan - will take place from June 26-28, with pedestrian traffic restricted around Madonna dell'Orto church on Thursday night, where it's rumored the first night's open-air festivities will unfold. Let the games begin!
- The fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting to see what designer jacket or dress Lauren Sanchez will choose for her wedding, given her fondness for Dolce & Gabbana and her past association with Oscar de la Renta.
- With the Romeo and Juliet-theme travel package being a hot trend on social media, many fans are hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities attending the extravagant wedding, like Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, and Ivanka Trump.
- As the Venetian wedding maps out its lifestyle itinerary, sports fans are keeping an eye out for whether they could witness sports-betting action on the side, given Jeff Bezos' well-known interest in the field.
- The city's popular travel destinations, such as the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, are buzzing with anticipation about hosting the upcoming celebrity-studded event, and travel agencies are offering unique fashion-and-beauty experiences to match the Venetian wedding's glamorous vibe.
