Jeff Bezos And Lauren Sánchez Say No To Wedding Gifts, Instead They Want...
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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will marry this week in Venice, Italy.
As Venice braces for one of its most talked-about weddings, all eyes are on Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. But amid the glamour, guest lists, and headlines, the couple has made a thoughtful request – they don't want any gifts. The Amazon founder and his fiancée will get married this week.
Ahead of the celebration, the couple sent out invitations with a clear message: 'We are excited for you to join us. We have one early request: please, no gifts."
Instead of traditional presents, Bezos and Sánchez have chosen to make donations to three local institutions on behalf of their guests. The contributions will go to the UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA and Venice International University.
'Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city's irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice's future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions," it continued.
Their note adds: 'The magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these gifts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come."
Still, not everyone is thrilled about the scale of the celebration. In the days leading up to the wedding, protest signs have been put up in Venice's historic areas. Locals have voiced concern over disruptions, traffic and the strain of hosting high-profile events in a city already battling overtourism.
Originally, the couple had picked Cannaregio for post-wedding celebrations. But reports suggest the plan was changed due to fears of demonstrations. The celebrations have now been shifted to the Arsenale, a historic naval complex in Castello district.
Though guests have been asked not to bring gifts, they will receive goody bags from Laguna B, a Murano-based glassware company. While the exact items remain under wraps, sources describe them as 'opulent."
The couple is also supporting local vendors wherever possible. Around 80 per cent of the food and other essentials for the wedding are being sourced from Venice-based businesses including the Murano glassware maker Laguna B and the city's oldest pastry maker, Rosa Salva.
Bezos and Sánchez got engaged in 2023. Sánchez has three children – Evan and Ella, from her marriage to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell, and a son, Nikko, from her earlier relationship with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez.
Bezos shares four children with his ex-wife, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott including their eldest son, Preston, born in 2000. The names and details of their other children including an adopted daughter, are not public.
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