The city of Venice is currently abuzz as Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding festivities are in full swing. The celebrations have drawn a constellation of A-list celebrities, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, and Tom Brady among those spotted arriving for the occasion. The wedding, estimated to cost between $46 and $55 million, is a multi-day affair, beginning with a star-studded welcome party.

The welcome party was held in a closed cloister near the Madonna dell'Orto church. Guests arrived in style, with a convoy of approximately 30 boats transporting them to the venue. Security was tight, with police patrolling the area, including the canals, to ensure the privacy and safety of the attendees. Bezos and Sanchez made a grand entrance, with security creating a cordon to shield them from onlookers.

For the welcome party, Lauren Sanchez donned a stunning golden, off-the-shoulder Schiaparelli Spring/Summer 2025 Haute Couture gown. The dress featured a corseted waist and intricate baroque floral embroidery. Jeff Bezos complemented his bride-to-be in a classic black suit.

Among the celebrity guests were the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, including Kim, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie, plus momager Kris Jenner. Leonardo DiCaprio was seen leaving the Gritti Palace, while other notable attendees included Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner.

The wedding ceremony is reportedly taking place on the private island of San Giorgio, specifically in a private church within the island's famous gardens. The Aman Hotel in Venice has been reserved for Bezos's closest friends and family throughout the three-day celebration. Approximately 200 guests are expected to attend the wedding.

The couple has requested no gifts, and instead, they are making donations to several Venetian organizations in their guests' honor. The invitation itself is a work of art, adorned with colorful gondolas, butterflies, birds, fireflies, and stars.

Prior to the Venice celebrations, Bezos and Sanchez held a foam party on Bezos's superyacht, Koru, off the coast of Europe. Following the wedding ceremony, a dinner is scheduled at the Arsenal of Venice, a historic shipyard.

The presence of the high-profile event has not been without controversy. Some Venice locals have protested the gathering, expressing concerns about the city catering to the ultra-rich and the potential disruption to daily life. Despite the protests, the city's mayor has stated that the event will be respectful of Venice's fragility and uniqueness, with organizers working to minimize any negative impact. The Veneto regional government estimates that the wedding could cost between $64 and $76 million. Approximately 80% of the wedding provisions are sourced from Venetian vendors, including local pastries and Murano glass.