Lauren Sanchez, 55, and Jeff Bezos, 61, will be getting married this summer in Venice, Italy, the city’s mayor has confirmed.
Luigi Brugnaro confirmed that the wedding will take place in one of the world’s most famous cities, which is visited by 20 million tourists each year.
The mayor also let slip that a relatively modest guest list of just 200 would watch the television star and Amazon mogul say ‘I do’.
The mayor did not confirm or deny the reported dates of June 24 to 26 for the nuptials.
A Who’s Who of business, media and entertainment are expected to attend, including Ivanka Trump, Gayle King, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria and Oprah Winfrey.
Scroll down for a look at Lauren’s best friends…
Lauren Sanchez , 55, and Jeff Bezos , 61, will be getting married this summer in Venice, Italy. And on Monday the mayor of the Italian city, Luigi Brugnaro, confirmed that the wedding will take place in the historical location where tourists flock every year; seen March 2
He also let slip how many people will be watching the TV star and Amazon mogul say ‘I do’: it will be about 200
Even Mayor Brugnaro seemed surprised that just 200 guests would be invited to the wedding, saying the city was used to handling far bigger events.
Fans and admirers of the couple were also surprised, reasoning they’d have invited at least 400 given how well connected both are and the fact Bezos is the second richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $355 billion.
However, Mayor Brugnaro said the limited numbers would prevent any serious disruptions to the famous coastal city during the wedding.
To put the guest number in perspective: When George Clooney threw his $5M wedding to Amal in Venice in September 2014, they had about 150 guests.
‘We are mutually working and supporting the organizers, to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city,’ Mayor Brugnaro said.
‘The many speculations and fake news circulating about Jeff Bezos’ wedding are completely unfounded.
Even the mayor seemed surprised that just 200 guests would be invited to the wedding, saying the city was used to handling far bigger events. Mayor Brugnaro seen in 2019 in Venice
There have been claims the wedding will be take place between June 24 and 26 but the mayor did not touch on any dates. Lauren seen in 2024
He also said that ‘their utmost priority to make sure the city functions as normal, for all, with no abnormal disruption to anyone.’
The city is used to putting on big, celebrity filled events like the Venice Film Festival which has sees stars like Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck and his ex Jennifer Lopez.
‘Venice is used to being the stage for events and shows every week, without significant impacts,’ the city said.
The wedding organizer has also reserved luxury H๏τel rooms, gondolas and water taxis for the big event.
DailyMail.com revealed the ceremony will take place on Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, in Venetian Lagoon.
DailyMail.com has also revealed Oscar de la Renta will create Sanchez’s wedding gown.
To put the guest number in perspective: When George Clooney threw his $5M wedding to Amal in Venice in September 2014, they had about 150 guests. Seen in Cannes in 2014
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The couple reportedly had sent out their wedding invitations in early March.
Bezos and Sánchez went public with their relationship in 2019 and got engaged in May 2023.
He proposed with a $2.5 million diamond ring so big Sánchez admitted she ‘kind of blacked out’ when she saw it.
The loved-up couple then celebrated their engagement with a star-studded party at Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller’s Beverly Hills mansion in November 2023, with guests including Kim Kardashian, Robert Pattinson and Oprah Winfrey.
Lauren’s older brother, Paul Sánchez, has previously told TMZ it would be an over-the-top wedding comparable to Princess Diana’s wedding to then Prince Charles in 1981.
DailyMail.com reported the ceremony will take place on their $500 million yacht named Koru in Venetian Lagoon
‘I’m thrilled beyond belief,’ Paul added of the celebration. ‘It’s gonna be an amazing event. It’s gonna be star-studded and fun.’
‘I think it’s gonna be like a Princess Di thing,’ he told the outlet.
‘Just huge and fun, and just a blast,’ the sibling noted.
Other guests include Kris Jenner plus members of her all-female Blue Origin space crew, including Gayle King.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Barbra Streisand, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner as well as Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner, are also invited.
On Sunday, Lauren and Jeff were seen shopping in Milan, which is a three-hour drive from Venice.
They stopped by Dolce & Gabbana which offers dresses and suits from the famed duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
Lauren’s brother Paul told TMZ: ‘I think it’s gonna be like a Princess Di thing,’ referring to Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding to then Prince Charles
The Amazon founder and the Emmy-winning journalist held hands and were surrounded by security.
When they left the store, a handler was spotted carrying large white garment bags.
Sanchez told Vogue magazine in 2023 that she will be taking the last name Bezos, saying: ‘Uh, yes, 100 per cent. I am looking forward to being Mrs Bezos.’
Bezos told CNN: ‘Lauren is the most generous, most big-hearted person that you would ever meet…She never misses a birthday. The network of people that she gives birthday presents to is gigantic. And that’s just a small example.
‘We’re really great teammates, and we also have a lot of fun together. And we love each other.’
Bezos, 61, was previously married to novelist MacKenzie Scott. They split in 2019 and it then emerged he had been romancing Sanchez, 55.
Princeton graduate Bezos is estimated to be worth $240 billion. Some suggest the wedding was delayed by the need for a mega-prenup, but friends of Sanchez say that was not the case.
Sanchez will take a space flight on her fiance’s rocket in May, surely the perfect prelude to a wedding.
She will blast off on the New Shepard — leading an all-female crew of six, including TV anchor Gayle King and pop star Katy Perry — for an 11-minute sub-orbital flight.
THE FRIENDS WHO WILL LIKELY ATTEND LAUREN’S WEDDING
By Heidi Parker
Lauren Sanchez gathered her friends for her The Fly That Flew To Space book party in September. The move revealed who is in her inner circle.
There was Kim and Khloe Kardashian as well as momager Kris Jenner and RHOBH vet Kathy Hilton, who is also Paris Hilton’s mother.
Also seen were fashion model Miranda Kerr and jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer, who used to be wed to Tobey Maguire.
But there were many lesser known faces.
They included Modern Family actress October Gonzalez, stylist Victoria Trilling, Co-CEO Baby2Baby Kelly Sawyer, stylist Jamie Mizrahi, pH๏τo coach Elena S Blair and entrepreneur Tina Chen Craig.
Also seen were actress Xochitl Gomez, Elsa Marie Collins – the founder of The Ideateur, a social impact and civics consultancy – and Bachelor vet Lucy Aragon.
Then there was makeup artist Amanda Diaz, and Laura Wᴀsserman, who used to be married to Casey Wᴀsserman, the president of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.
Lauren Sanchez gathered her friends for her The Fly That Flew To Space book party this week. The move revealed who is in her inner circle
Kris Jenner as well as Kim and Khloe Kardashian were there
Read More Khloe Kardashian says Lauren Sanchez ‘inspires’ her as she and sister Kim support the future Mrs Jeff Bezos during book release party 
Lauren’s new book is already a NYT bestseller.
‘Congratulations @laurenwsanchez on your book, The Fly Who Flew To Space,’ wrote Khloe on Instagram.
‘Inspired by her childhood battle with dyslexia and a lifelong love of flying.
‘This book is an inspiring and imaginative story that sparks curiosity and imagination while at the same time it encourages us all to shoot for the stars ✨.’
Khloe then added: ‘Thank you for being vulnerable and for creating a book that will allow other children to feel seen.
‘Order the @theflywhoflew for yourself or your babies – such a sweet and positive read that teaches so many lessons of determination, resilience and believing in yourself!’
Lauren also posted pH๏τos from the bash.
‘I’ve learned so much during the launch of my book and that includes knowing the importance of good friends,’ wrote the former TV star.
‘Women who scoot over and make room for other women to ‘have a seat at the table.’ Women who uplift each other.
‘Thank you @krisjenner for hosting this beautiful lunch with all the girls to support @theflywhoflew. What a special afternoon, I’m over the moon!’
Kim was seen next to Miranda Kerr, top left
View this post on Instagram
Kathy Hilton, who is the mother to Paris Hilton and a former RHOBH star, was seen far left
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Lauren is being sued by her former yoga instructor for allegedly plagiarizing the instructor’s children’s book.
In the lawsuit, which was obtained by TMZ, Alanna Zabel alleges that Sánchez’s children’s book The Fly Who Flew To Space, which was published in August, substantially rips off her 2022 children’s book Dharma Kitty Goes To Mars.
Zabel, who sent Sánchez two cease-and-desist letters ahead of the latter book’s publication, claims to have contacted the high-profile entertainment reporter in 2022 to pitch a children’s book concept about a cat who flies to Mars.
The yoga instructor, who says she taught Sánchez from 2007 to 2010, alleges in the lawsuit that the theft is related to Sánchez’s ‘continual and outrageous acts of jealousy’ over the years.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Zabel and a representative for Sanchez to request comment.
Zabel accuses Sánchez of copying parts of her book to get back at her for quitting as her yoga instructor more than a decade ago.
The instructor, who notably filed her lawsuit without a lawyer, doesn’t specify what kind of ‘jealousy’ Sánchez allegedly displayed.
However, she does accuse Sánchez of having ‘always demonstrated a desire to appear like [Zabel], an authentic, independent, free-spirited, hard working and public service oriented yoga instructor.’
As she describes it, the relationship could have had a modest benefit for Bezos-affiliated charities, as she claims that the proceeds for the book would have benefitted the Bezos Earth Fund and Bezos Academy.
Bezos used $10 billion in 2020 to create the Bezos Earth Fund, which doles out grants to projects combating climate change and preserving nature spaces, with an emphasis on projects that will be completed within the current decade, rather than on more speculative, long-term projects.
The former Amazon CEO’s Bezos Academy stresses the importance of preschool in children’s development and works to build Montessori-style preschools in underserved communities.
In April, Zabel told DailyMail.com that she was furious when Sánchez announced her own children’s book in January of 2023.
‘I’m deeply offended, and I am taking legal action with the book,’ she said at the time.
Zabel said that she had spent time at Sánchez’s house while working as her instructor, and she had shared her love of children’s books and even discussed the prospect of helping Sánchez write a children’s book with her brother Michael.
She shared that she had ended her services for Sánchez due to relentless ‘gossiping,’ and added that she ‘couldn’t handle her personality anymore,’ but Zabel added that the two had remained cordial in the subsequent years.
While Lauren never responded to Alanna’s emails or Instagram messages, Zabel claims Bezos’ office did respond to confirm receipt of an email sent in November 2022 about her book; Sánchez and Bezos pictured in March in La
Zabel’s suit claims that the media figure’s book features more than 60 percent of similar text and story, though the methodology for arriving at that percentage is unclear.
However, as TMZ notes, several children’s books have been released in 2024 alone about characters venturing into space.
There have also been multiple children’s books featuring insects as main characters in the past year.
Zabel is known for teaching yoga to several of celebrity clients, including Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and author Deepak Chopra.
