Latest news with #LanzaandBaucina
Cosmopolitan
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
The most surprising guests at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez' wedding
Fresh from her brief and much ridiculed trip to space, former reporter Lauren Sánchez is preparing to marry Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, in what will no doubt be an extravagant affair in Venice this week (actual date unconfirmed but the event is spanning a few days). Despite not having happened yet, the wedding has sparked protests in the Italian city from disgruntled residents who are calling on Bezos' company to pay its fair share of tax. Earlier this year, Italian prosecutors launched an investigation into Amazon over an alleged unpaid €1.2bn (just over £1bn) tax evasion case. Amazon declined to comment on "ongoing investigations" and is contesting the claim. Last year, the company paid corporation tax in the UK for the first time in four years. Protest group, No Space for Bezos, told press, "He is basically going to treat the whole city as a private ballroom, as a private event area, as if the citizens are not there." In response, the wedding planning company behind the event, Lanza and Baucina, who also planned George and Amal Clooney's big day, issued a statement to media disputing the accusations, saying, "From the outset, instructions from our client and our own guiding principles were abundantly clear: the minimising of any disruption to the city." The wedding itself is predicted to cost $10m (£7.3m) and unsurprisingly, the guest list is set to be full of notable names, protests or otherwise, with attendee predictions ranging from Orlando Bloom (which has allegedly upset his wife, Katy Perry, who joined Sánchez on the 'self-indulgent' space trip but who apparently can't make the big day) to members of the Kardashian family and possibly even President Donald Trump. Here's what we know about the Bez0s-Sánchez guest list so far. It's predicted that Kim and possibly her mother, Kris Jenner, will attend the wedding in Venice, after the pair were both seen celebrating with Sánchez at her bachelorette party in Paris. Famously, the Kardashians love an Italian wedding too (see: Kourtney and Travis getting hitched in Portofino in 2022) so this would check out. Kardashian, Jenner and fellow sibling/daughter Khloe Kardashian, along with North West and Penelope Disick, were pictured together at a Beyoncé concert earlier this year too, so maybe the kids and Koko will also join in the fun. Another attendee of Sánchez's lavish hen party and friend of 20-plus years, it's fair to say the Desperate Housewives star is likely to make an appearance on the main day. Sánchez and Longoria were spotted at a Cannes event together in May and Longoria once told the Hollywood Reporter (during a joint interview with Sánchez), "[We] constantly have these conversations that inspire each other. Instead of sending each other memes, we send [reports] about the Latin community not being represented in TV and movies and the media." It's reported that Perry can't make the wedding but her partner, Orlando Bloom, is gearing up to attend, despite having reportedly not approved of the Blue Origin space trip led by Sánchez, with Perry on board as 'crew'. Neither have commented on these stories though, so perhaps they'll both turn up. Drama? What drama! Luca Zaia, President of Veneto (an area of Italy that includes Venice), hinted the President of the United States could even attend the wedding, when defending the couple from accusations that their event is disrespecting the local community. "This is a city that handles 150,000 people a day. George Clooney, François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek, Alexandre Arnault, Elton John and many others got married here," he shared. "Of course, Donald Trump [who will be in Europe for the NATO summit] could also come to this wedding." Given Bezos and Sánchez were both front and centre at Trump's inauguration ceremony earlier this year, it's not a totally far-fetched suggestion (but equally Trump is very much in the thick of the worrisome Iran-Israel conflict right now). The Rolling Stones legend is reportedly attending, as per the Associated Press. Bezos and Sánchez were spotted chatting to Jagger and his ballet dancer and author partner, Melanie Hamrick, at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. The famed fashion designer was spotted arriving in Venice today via the Venice Marco Polo airport. Could this be a hint at who the bride will be wearing? Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC's Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women's Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Inside Jeff Bezos - Lauren Sánchez's secretive Venice wedding: Guests to sign NDAs as speculation swirls over details
Venice, one of the world's most romantic cities, is currently playing host to what is arguably its most closely guarded event in recent memory — the wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez. While official spokespeople remain tight-lipped, and guests are bound by strict NDAs, a constellation of details has emerged about the ultra-exclusive ceremony set to take place this week. The couple's guest list reportedly features a blend of global elites — from Hollywood stars and political dignitaries to titans of industry. Among those believed to be invited are Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, and Ivanka Trump. Sánchez's bachelorette party in Paris last month gave a public glimpse of her inner circle, though the actual wedding guest list remains officially under wraps. With some 200 invitees expected, including yet-unnamed groomsmen, local hotspots such as Harry's Bar — famously patronised by Ernest Hemingway — are on alert. 'We can't divulge anyone who has made a reservation. We protect the privacy of all our guests, not just the billionaires,' a waiter at the venue told CNN. The ceremony is being orchestrated by Italian boutique planners Lanza and Baucina, known for staging George and Amal Clooney's 2014 nuptials. In response to protests against the event, the planners have assured Venetians that the celebration will be respectful of the city's cultural and logistical sensitivities. 'Rumours of 'taking over' the city are entirely false and diametrically opposed to our goals and to reality,' they said in a statement. The event will reportedly rely on Venetian talent and suppliers. Around 80% of goods — from food to gifts — are being sourced locally. Rosa Salva, the city's oldest pastry shop, is preparing about 200 goodie bags, while renowned Murano glassmakers Laguna B are creating bespoke party favours. About 30 of Venice's elite water taxis have been reserved, and the city's gondola association has confirmed it is on standby. 'A big wedding' has been cited by local drivers, though none will name names. Meanwhile, all nine of the city's yacht ports have been booked, with Bezos's $500 million sailing yacht Koru and its support vessel L'Abeona currently docked in the Adriatic. The ceremony venue is being kept under tight wraps, with multiple sites secured to allow last-minute changes based on weather or protester activity. Likely options include the grand Cini Foundation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a 16th-century building previously used for art shows and high-profile events. Sánchez's wedding gown remains a mystery, but fashion insiders speculate it could be by Dolce & Gabbana, a label with which she has a longstanding relationship, or Oscar de la Renta, who designed her 2024 debut gown. The final reveal is expected to make headlines of its own. Despite efforts to shield the celebration from public view, the union of one of the world's richest men with a global media personality has already become one of the most talked-about weddings of the decade — a meticulously planned affair as dazzling as the couple at its centre.
