The lavish three-day wedding celebration for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in Venice is the talk of the town, but not always for the right reasons. Before the couple even said “I do,” they were already making headlines for a series of highly scrutinized moments, from public behavior to fashion choices and even their wedding invitations.
1. Jeff Bezos’s “Dismissive” Behavior Sparks Public Outrage
Just before their big day, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were seen leaving a hotel in Venice. A video clip of them getting into a water taxi went viral, and the public was quick to criticize Bezos’s actions toward his fiancée.
In the video, Bezos is seen quickly exiting the hotel and waving to reporters before stepping onto the boat. Sánchez follows, appearing to struggle with the steps to the boat on her own. He eventually turns back to offer a hand, but many viewers felt the gesture came too late.
Social media users were blunt in their critiques, with one person noting, “The way he ditched her and walked away.” Another wrote, “He didn’t even help her down.” A chorus of comments echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Sánchez looked like she was struggling without his aid.
The criticism went beyond just a single moment. Commenters started to question the overall dynamic between the couple, describing his body language as cold and inattentive. “Something is off in his behavior around her,” one person observed, while another simply stated, “He acts like he doesn’t even like her.” The lack of a simple gesture, like offering his arm, fueled the fire. One viewer quipped, “He almost forgot to help her get in the boat, first fight on wedding night…”
Some took a more cynical view of his actions. “He waves to people like he’s some kinda KING!!” one user joked, while another sarcastically added, “All that money and the little things still bug me.”
2. Lauren Sánchez’s “Tacky” Pre-Wedding Outfit Divides the Internet
The night before the wedding, Lauren Sánchez turned heads in a figure-hugging gown as she left the Aman Hotel in Venice. The dress, which featured an embroidered floral design and a laced-up corset, immediately became a hot topic online.
The ensemble was finished with a high ponytail and minimal accessories, drawing all the attention to her bold outfit and massive engagement ring.
When photos of the dress circulated on social media, reactions ranged from amusement to outright mockery. Many found humor in the design, with one commenter writing, “It’s giving lampshade 😂” and another adding, “Dress looks like my old living room curtain 😂.”
Other reactions were far more critical. “She is so tacky,” a commenter stated, while another questioned if she could even breathe in the tight corset.
While the dress got the most attention, her colossal engagement ring also came under fire. Many found the gem “gaudy” and “not very attractive,” with one person even suggesting, “It’s so big that it looks fake.”
Despite the flood of negative comments, a few users had a different take, noting that the couple seemed genuinely happy together, regardless of the online backlash.
3. The Strict “No-Phones” Rule for Guests
Bezos and Sánchez reportedly enforced a strict rule for their high-profile guests: no phones allowed. According to reports, attendees had to hand over their devices before being taken to a secret island location for the celebration.
The destination was so secretive that guests were only told to arrive at a specific dock at 7:30 p.m., where they would be transported by ferry to the party. This emphasis on privacy highlighted the event’s exclusivity and the couple’s determination to keep the festivities under wraps.
The guest list, estimated at around 200 people, included A-list celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Oprah, and Gayle King. The cost for this exclusive event is estimated at no less than $50,000 per guest, putting the total cost of the wedding at over $10 million.
4. The “Ugliest” Wedding Invitation
Even the couple’s digital wedding invitation caused a stir. The pastel, cartoonish-style invite surfaced online, revealing that instead of gifts, guests were asked to make donations to three Venetian charities.
Despite this generous request, the invitation’s design was widely mocked on social media. Users were shocked by the casual, low-budget look of the card, with one person declaring it “the UGLIEST invitation i’ve ever seen 😂” and another asking, “How much did they pay for that???”
Some people even doubted its authenticity, with a user writing, “You’re telling me this is the wedding invite of one of the world’s richest men?? There is no way 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”. A Facebook user went so far as to compare it to a last-minute community college brochure.
5. Donald Trump’s Absence Despite an Invitation
While the guest list was filled with stars, one notable name was absent: Donald Trump. Although the former president was reportedly invited to the wedding, sources familiar with the matter confirmed he would not be attending due to scheduling conflicts.
The couple’s wedding weekend began with a reception at a 14th-century cloister, followed by a ceremony on the island of San Giorgio and a final reception at a historic naval site.
Organizing such a massive event in Venice has its own set of challenges, including logistical nightmares and a hefty price tag. The cost of the celebration has been estimated to be as high as $56 million. Despite concerns that the event could disrupt the city, the mayor of Venice assured the public that the couple would be respectful of the city’s unique and fragile environment.
The first day of festivities saw a fleet of water taxis carrying guests like Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Ivanka Trump across the lagoon, all trailed by paparazzi. Ivanka even posted on Instagram, “Ready to celebrate the love story of our friends,” showing the positive side of the highly-anticipated celebration.