Stark reality: Jeff Bezos-Sánchez's wedding bash in Venice costs $34 million; while average US couples trim budgets, fight rising prices
File photo: Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sánchez (Picture credit: AP)
As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez prepare for a jaw-dropping $23–$34 million wedding in Venice, many American couples are facing the opposite challenge, trimming costs and rethinking their dream celebrations in the face of economic pressures and rising tariffs.
According to USA Today, the extravagant Bezos-Sánchez affair, expected to draw stars like Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Oprah Winfrey, comes at a time when the average US wedding cost just $33,000 in 2024.
That's nearly 1,000 times less than what the billionaire founder of Amazon and his fiancée are reportedly spending.
Even the engagement ring Sánchez sports, a pink diamond worth $2.5 million, as revealed to Vogue, dwarfs the $5,200 average spent on rings last year, according to The Knot's Real Weddings 2025 Study.
Meanwhile, American couples are feeling the pinch from more modest but still significant financial challenges. As per USA Today, tariffs on imported flowers, gowns, and wedding supplies are quietly pushing budgets upward.
Nearly 80% of flowers and 90% of bridal gowns sold in the US are imported, making them vulnerable to international trade policies.
Florist and bride-to-be Allison Krivachek was quoted by USA Today as saying that she's seen floral costs rise 10–25% due to tariffs, pushing her to get creative with sustainable, local options.
'I want to make that a trend,' she said, explaining her use of potted plants and bushes that couples can replant after the ceremony.
Vendors are also stepping in to help couples navigate pricing pressures. As per USA Today, Lauren Kay of The Knot said, 'They want to help you have the best wedding ever... whether that's avoiding a tariff or making a trade-off so your budget isn't terribly impacted.'
In a recent survey by The Knot, 73% of engaged couples said staying within budget was their top priority.
About 36% admitted they were already adjusting plans due to inflation or economic uncertainty, with 28% reducing guest counts and others booking early or opting for US-made goods.
While Bezos' upcoming wedding has drawn sharp criticism in Venice, with protestors accusing him of symbolising inequality and exploiting the city, many Americans are simply trying to make their big day affordable.
The stark contrast between the Venice spectacle and the financial reality of average weddings underscores a growing economic divide, even in moments meant for joy and celebration.
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