Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga to Headline Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s $20 Million Venice Wedding as Grand Pianos Arrive via Gondola

Elton John and Lady Gaga to Headline Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Lavish Venice Wedding

Billionaire Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sanchez are set to tie the knot in an extravagant Venice wedding this weekend, with music legends Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga leading the performances. The couple, who got engaged in 2023, have spared no expense for the “wedding of the century,” expected to cost tens of millions.

Star-Studded Performances
Elton John, 78, and Lady Gaga, 39, will take the stage at the Aman Hotel, a venue previously used by George and Amal Clooney for their 2014 wedding. The duo, who share a close friendship (Gaga is godmother to Elton’s children), have collaborated on songs like Hello Hello and Sine From Above. Sources estimate Bezos paid over £1 million each for their performances.

Venue and Security
The celebrations span multiple locations, including the Aman Hotel and the 15th-century Madonna dell’Orto church, though the latter’s bell tower is currently covered in scaffolding—a detail critics speculate Bezos may have overlooked. Over 200 VIP guests, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Ivanka Trump, will attend. Thirty guests are staying at the £2,700-a-night Hotel Cipriani, favored by Brad Pitt.

Security is airtight, with ex-marines guarding venues and drones monitoring the island of San Giorgio. Venice authorities have cordoned off canals and restricted access to ensure privacy, sparking backlash from locals.

Protests and Controversy
Venice residents and activist groups like Greenpeace have protested the event, accusing Bezos of prioritizing luxury over local needs. Banners in St. Mark’s Square read, “If you can rent Venice, you can pay more tax,” referencing Bezos’ reported 1.1% tax rate. The wedding ring alone is valued at $5 million.

Despite criticism, officials defend the event, citing a $23–34 million boost to local businesses. Venice’s mayor compared it to past celebrity weddings, including Clooney’s.

Celebrity Arrivals and Pre-Wedding Festivities
Guests began arriving Thursday, with Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, and Kris Jenner turning heads in bold outfits. Kim, who attended Sanchez’s Paris hen do, wore a Balenciaga bandeau and skirt, while Khloé sported a leopard-print catsuit. Orlando Bloom, recently split from Katy Perry, shared air kisses with Kim, reigniting past rumors.

A pre-wedding cocktail party at the Aman featured a playlist of Bee Gees, Nina Simone, and Van Morrison hits. Bezos and Sanchez, dressed casually, greeted guests arriving by water taxi.

Logistical Challenges
The wedding’s grandeur hasn’t been without hiccups. Scaffolding at the Madonna dell’Orto church and leaked guest lists added drama. A generator boat moored nearby caused noise complaints, while politicians debated the use of public funds for security.

Opposition lawmakers slammed the event as a “celebration of luxury” that sidelines citizens. “Venice shouldn’t be a playground for billionaires,” argued MP Antonio Iaria.

As festivities kick off, the wedding blends opulence with controversy, underscoring the divide between global elites and local realities. With performances by music icons, A-list guests, and Venetian splendor, Bezos and Sanchez’s union is set to be unforgettable—for better or worse.

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Key Visuals Mentioned: Elton John and Lady Gaga performing; Grand pianos arriving by gondola; Kim Kardashian and Orlando Bloom reuniting; Protest banners in Venice; Scaffolding at the historic church.*