Lauren Sánchez's wedding dress steals the show in Venice
Lauren Sánchez dazzled guests and fashion watchers alike when she wed Jeff Bezos in Venice on Friday.
The ceremony, held on the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore, was the centrepiece of a three-day celebration. The ceremony drew in celebrities, royalty, and global attention.
Sánchez chose a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown for her wedding. The dress was inspired by the high-necked lace gown worn by Sophia Loren in the 1958 film Houseboat .
'I wanted something that evokes a moment, and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago,' Sánchez, according to Page Six.
Lauren Sánchez added, 'I researched pictures of brides in the 1950s. I saw Sophia Loren, and her hands were in a prayer position. She was in high lace, up to the neck, and I said, 'That's it. That's the dress.'
The gown featured: A high turtleneck and long sleeves
A corseted waist, accentuating Sánchez's figure
180 silk chiffon-covered buttons running from neck to floor
Hand-appliquéd Italian lace throughout
A mermaid-style skirt with a dramatic train
A lace-trimmed veil, worn over a sleek bun
Sánchez completed her look with Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioielleria Miracolo earrings. The earrings featured four diamonds cut from a single stone and set in white gold as her 'something borrowed'.
Sánchez admitted that her choice was unexpected. 'It is a departure from what people expect—from what I expect—but it's very much me,' she said.
Lauren Sánchez kept the dress a secret from Bezos until the day of the ceremony. 'As you get a little older, not many things surprise you. I can't wait to see his face,' she told Vogue .
The wedding was not just a single-dress affair. For the wedding dinner, Sánchez changed into a second corseted gown inspired by Rita Hayworth's iconic look in Gilda .
Later, she donned an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress adorned with 175,000 crystals for the party.
Dolce & Gabbana was a meaningful choice for Sánchez. Her son, Nikko Gonzalez, made his modelling debut for the brand earlier this year.
Lauren Sánchez herself has attended their shows, often seated in the front row.
The wedding's estimated cost was around $50 million—about R900 million—making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings in recent memory.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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Lauren Sánchez dazzled guests and fashion watchers alike when she wed Jeff Bezos in Venice on Friday. The ceremony, held on the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore, was the centrepiece of a three-day celebration. The ceremony drew in celebrities, royalty, and global attention. Sánchez chose a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown for her wedding. The dress was inspired by the high-necked lace gown worn by Sophia Loren in the 1958 film Houseboat . 'I wanted something that evokes a moment, and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago,' Sánchez, according to Page Six. Lauren Sánchez added, 'I researched pictures of brides in the 1950s. I saw Sophia Loren, and her hands were in a prayer position. She was in high lace, up to the neck, and I said, 'That's it. That's the dress.' The gown featured: A high turtleneck and long sleeves A corseted waist, accentuating Sánchez's figure 180 silk chiffon-covered buttons running from neck to floor Hand-appliquéd Italian lace throughout A mermaid-style skirt with a dramatic train A lace-trimmed veil, worn over a sleek bun Sánchez completed her look with Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioielleria Miracolo earrings. The earrings featured four diamonds cut from a single stone and set in white gold as her 'something borrowed'. Sánchez admitted that her choice was unexpected. 'It is a departure from what people expect—from what I expect—but it's very much me,' she said. Lauren Sánchez kept the dress a secret from Bezos until the day of the ceremony. 'As you get a little older, not many things surprise you. I can't wait to see his face,' she told Vogue . The wedding was not just a single-dress affair. For the wedding dinner, Sánchez changed into a second corseted gown inspired by Rita Hayworth's iconic look in Gilda . Later, she donned an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress adorned with 175,000 crystals for the party. Dolce & Gabbana was a meaningful choice for Sánchez. Her son, Nikko Gonzalez, made his modelling debut for the brand earlier this year. Lauren Sánchez herself has attended their shows, often seated in the front row. The wedding's estimated cost was around $50 million—about R900 million—making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings in recent memory. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Enchanted' Wedding guests snapped by paparazzi as they hopped into boats included Jordan's Queen Rania, French luxury goods executive Francois-Henri Pinault, American football player Tom Brady, US fashion designer Spencer Antle, the singer Usher, and Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner. The guests reportedly lunched Thursday in the gardens of Villa Baslini, on the islet of San Giovanni Evangelista. The celebrations are set to end Saturday with a party likely at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. Bezos and Sanchez are donating three million euros ($3.5 million) to the city, according to Veneto's regional president Luca Zaia, and are employing historic Venetian artisans. 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US reality TV personality Kim Kardashian (L) and Khloe Kardashian leave the Gritti Palace Hotel on the wedding day of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sanchez, in Venice on June 27, 2025. Image: Andrea Pattaro/AFP But critics say Bezos, one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers, is different. "Tax Billionaires", read protest signs along canals. "In the time it takes you to read this, Jeff Bezos's wealth has increased by more than your monthly salary", they read in English and Italian. Environmental activists have also pointed to the carbon footprint of the mega yachts and dozens of private jets -- at least 95 -- bringing the rich and famous to the city. But Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old salesman, welcomed the extravaganza. "Over-tourism is caused by those people who come with a backpack and their own food, and contribute very little," he said, "not those who transform Venice into a mini-Monte Carlo. 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