Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding invite revealed... including unusual gift request for guests
A portion of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez 's wedding invitation has been revealed ahead of their nuptials later this week - and it includes an unusual gift request for their many guests.
The multi-day-long extravaganza of celebrations are set for this week in Venice, Italy, as the couple tie the knot in front of a rumored 200 guests, which include Kim Kardashian, Ivanka Trump and Orlando Bloom.
Ivanka was already seen arriving with her husband, Jared Kushner, and their three children today in the Italian city - as well as fashion mogul Diane von Furstenberg.
However, besides a huge wardrobe, there's one thing that guests won't have to worry about bringing, and those are lavish gifts - or any gifts at all, for that matter.
A copy of an invitation that was sent out by the couple has been obtained by ABC News, and among its whimsical designs, it clearly states that no one should be bringing gifts for the happy couple.
'We're excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts,' the invitation read in script.
The invite was decorated with what appeared to be hand-drawn designs of butterflies, doves, the Venice canals, gondolas, and feathers in purple, gray and pink-hues.
'Instead, we're making contributions in your honor and with gratitude to you for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice,' they shared.
The multi-day-long extravaganza of celebrations are set for this week in Venice, Italy , as the two tie the knot among a rumored 200 guests, which include Kim Kardashian , Ivanka Trump and Orlando Bloom
'Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard the 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.'
The invitation concluded with a few sentences about how sentimental Venice was for the couple.
'This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories,' the invite read.
'Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder of generations to come.'
The couple did not disclose just how much money they would be donating.
The leak comes just days after they have been met by seas of protestors in the Italian city who are upset by their choice to marry there.
Protest banners, posters and graffiti have appeared in recent days, most emblazoned with the message 'No space for Bezos', and activists are planning a series of disruptions to challenge the island-wide celebrations.
Demonstrators in the Lagoon City are against the spectacle of wealth that is about to take place and say the wedding is an example of over-tourism, a problem Venice already struggles with.
Protestor Federica Toninelli told the BBC that Venice is 'being treated like a showcase, a stage', adding that Jeff and Lauren's wedding is 'the symbol of the exploitation of the city by outsiders'.
And among all the chaos, they've even been forced to change some of their wedding festivities.
The original plan was for a huge party at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia on Saturday night but it has now been moved to another venue in the Arsenale area of the city, according to local media.
Guests have already begun to arrive, as Beatrice Bavato, a freelance tour guide, was photographed as she waited for guests and staff from London based wedding planners Lanza & Baucina in the arrivals hall at the lagoon city's airport.
She was holding a clipboard with the names of some guests and their travel itineraries, which included David Sabshon, a film director, and Robert Gelfond, a tech entrepreneur and his partner Sandra Leong.
However, just because the couple don't want gifts for their special day doesn't mean they won't be showering their own guests with them.
It was recently revealed to the Daily Mail by a source in Italy that each guest will be receiving hand-blown glassware by local glassmaker Laguna B.
The glassware company was originally created by Marie Brandolini, who left New York in 1988 to live in Venice.
Her idea came about after her stepfather gave her a goti de fornasa - a traditional drinking glass crafted by Murano glassmakers - which inspired her to make her own, putting her own spin on it to create something 'new and personal.'
Her son later took over the business after she passed in 2013, per Vogue.
The handmade glassware features bright colors, stripes, and floral details.
All of the glasses have different motifs and designs, with one large-size cup running customers $167.
The handmade glassware are not the only things that guests will be coming back home with.
The insider told Daily Mail that a wedding planner who is not working this event has heard that guests will receive other 'opulent' gifts for attending.
But of course, guests will also be treated to a few other luxurious surprises during their time in Italy for the wedding.
The source confirmed to the Daily Mail that local bakery Rosa Salva Venetia will be providing pastries for the extravagant weekend.
The delicious menu items at the bakery include tiramisu, flaky, cream-filled pastries, and fritelli, a traditional Italian fried treat.
However, Rosa Salva Venetia will not be providing the wedding cake for the loved-up couple.
Separate sources recently told the Daily Mail that the festivities are expected to cost anywhere from $15 to $20 million.
Many things went into the estimate of the total cost, including transportation fees, her wedding dress and catering.
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