The second marriage of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (61) to journalist Lauren Sanchez (55) is currently a topic of discussion worldwide. This wedding took place in a grand, royal style in Venice, Italy, with around 250 special guests in attendance.
Lauren Sanchez & Jeff Bezos: Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest people in the world, married his fiancée and former journalist Lauren Sanchez in Venice, Italy, on Friday. The wedding was nothing short of a regal affair, with 250 handpicked guests invited and approximately ₹450 crore spent.
This three-day royal celebration saw the presence of numerous prominent figures from the world of glamour and business, but the event also angered many people in Venice.
Royal Celebration in Grand Venice
The San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice was chosen for the wedding, situated amidst the city's famous canals. The ceremony took place in a grand open-air amphitheater in front of St. Mark's Square. Jeff Bezos, in a black coat and tie, held hands with Lauren Sanchez, who looked stunning in a long white gown.
Extensive security and privacy arrangements were made for the guests during the wedding. It was reported that 27 different outfits were prepared for the event, so that the bride and groom and the guests could appear in different themes each day. Bezos and Lauren Sanchez stayed at the Aman Hotel, which is located in a luxurious 16th-century palace and offers a magnificent view of the Rialto Bridge. Meanwhile, accommodations were arranged for many guests in luxury hotels like Gritti Palace and St. Regis.
A Gathering of Stars
Prominent personalities like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Ivanka Trump (daughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump), singer Usher, and football player Tom Brady were seen at this luxurious wedding. From India, only Natasha Poonawalla was a guest at the wedding. Moreover, Queen Rania of Jordan, Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of the French luxury group Kering, and designer Spencer Ante were among the many dignitaries who attended the wedding ceremony. The sight of royal convoys for these guests in the historic streets of Venice also surprised the locals.
Expenditure of ₹450 Crore and Opposition in Venice
According to reports, approximately ₹450 crore was spent on this wedding, which is a thousand times more than the cost of a typical American wedding. This grandeur became the reason for opposition from the locals. Some social organizations and local citizens of Venice alleged that the organization of this royal wedding would exacerbate the already existing administrative challenges in the city.
Protesters said that Venice is already facing excessive tourism and environmental pressures, and such a large event symbolizes the neglect of the local people and economic inequality. However, the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, welcomed Bezos' wedding, saying that the event would further strengthen the city's tourism and identity.
Global Discussions in Italy's Royal Wedding
The world kept its eyes on the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Not only because of the royal guests, but also because this is Bezos' second marriage, and he celebrated it in a very grand style. The happiness was clearly visible on the faces of both in the first pictures of the wedding, but mixed reactions were seen on social media regarding the wedding.
Some people praised Bezos' royal wedding, while many users criticized it, saying that it would have been better to use so much money for social service. Some environmental activists also questioned the increase in the carbon footprint from this event in Venice.
The Pre-Wedding Festivities Were No Less
On Thursday, the day before the wedding, a grand dinner and musical night were organized for the guests. On Friday, the main ceremony was held with a black-tie dress code, while on Saturday, a farewell and thank-you program was organized. Overall, this Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez showed that even billionaire weddings are no less than a movie script. Where on one hand, the confluence of love and luxury was seen, on the other hand, the anger of the locals and the debate on inequality also became a topic of discussion.
