See the jaw-dropping numbers of Jeff Bezos' Venice wedding to Lauren Sánchez
A dazzling display of extravagance will be on view in Venice, Italy, this weekend as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, and journalist Lauren Sánchez, 55, celebrate their wedding among many A-list celebrities such as the Kardashians and Ivanka Trump.
The multiday wedding celebration, set against the backdrop of a historic city and reportedly costing up to $56 million, will host around 200 guests ‒ each boasting a net worth with more zeroes than most can only dream of. Below, we break down some of the most jaw-dropping figures surrounding their nuptials.
How much does the wedding cost?
The actual cost of the wedding is unknown, but Venice regional governor Luca Zaia originally estimated the cost between 20 million-30 million euros, or $23 million-$34 million, in a June 24 Reuters article. After a venue change because of security concerns, the estimate jumped to 40 million-48 million euros, or $46.5 million-$55.6 million.
Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them.
Where will the wedding take place?
Bezos and Sánchez arrived at the Aman Venice hotel on June 25. An evening welcome ceremony for the wedding was held June 26 in the cloisters of Madonna dell'Orto, a medieval church in the central area of Cannaregio.
The date and venue for the ceremony are still confidential, but the main party is planned for June 28 at the Venetian Arsenal (Aresnale di Venezia in Italian), a historic site in the eastern part of the city.
Venice has been struggling with over-tourism and environmental preservation for years, and protestors have been showing up this week to voice concerns about the impact of such a large-scale, high-profile event on the city.
Who will be at the wedding?
Around 90 private jets are estimated to Treviso and Venice airports this week, according to Zaia. So far, the guest list includes celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump.
Lauren Sanchez's engagement ring cost
According to People magazine, Sánchez's stunning diamond rock is estimated to be about 30 carats and likely costs as much as $5 million. Sánchez has shown off the ring while attending events, including the Living Legends of Aviation Awards.
The Knot, a wedding planning website, estimates that the average U.S. wedding ring cost is $5,200.
CONTRIBUTING Brendan Morrow, Jim Sergent