That Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and author Lauren Sanchez are tying the knot in Venice this summer is hardly a secret anymore. But what’s truly jaw-dropping is that it’s happening in less than 90 days, from June 24th to 26th, and yes, Bezos is taking a page straight out of the Ambani playbook (Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani booked the entire town of Portofino for his son’s wedding festivities). If the rumors are to be believed, Venice will morph into the ultimate billionaire’s playground, with the world’s second-richest man expecting a dazzling inflow of 250 guests per day.
The city will be buzzing with A-listers such as Oprah, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, and Kris Jenner, all of whom have previously celebrated aboard his $500 million megayacht, along with close friends like Eva Longoria and their entourages. Naturally, the Koru will take center stage, with at least part of the festivities unfolding on the gleaming decks of the second-largest sailing yacht in the world.
And when the guests aren’t partying at sea, they’ll be indulging in the finest Venetian hospitality. According to La Repubblica, Bezos has blocked off some of the city’s most iconic properties. Think the Gritti Palace, once adored by Hemingway and still oozing palazzo charm; Hotel Danieli, a 14th-century jewel with sweeping lagoon views; Aman Venice, a fresco-laden 16th-century treasure that hosted George Clooney’s wedding; the ultra-exclusive Belmond Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca Island; and the glamorous St. Regis Venice, recently unveiled after a lavish makeover, tailor-made for the ultra-wealthy in attendance.
The arrangements will be overlooked by the renowned London agency Lanza & Baucina for the wedding of the billionaire worth $216 billion and his helicopter flying fiance Lauren Sanchez who is headed for a space trip with an all female crew.
City of canals flaunting fully booked hotels and even the taxis are spoken for-
With a crush of guests descending on the floating city, many of whom, unlike Bezos, won’t arrive in their own megayachts, transport logistics have been locked down to avoid chaos. The entire local taxi fleet has reportedly been booked for the three-day celebration to ensure the glitterati can glide through Venice without a hitch.
And at the heart of the planning sits Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who is not only tasked with overseeing this mammoth event but will also be another yacht owner mingling at the festivities, thanks to his own Ferretti 1,000. “This event will have millionaire economic repercussions for our territory,” he noted. “And there is the sense of Venice as a place where you can stay and meet. We have important challenges to face, and Venice can play an important role for this country.”
