Jeff Bezos’ ₹480 Crore Wedding in Venice: Flower Budget Alone Could Fund 12 Indian Weddings – Only One Indian Woman Invited
Venice, Italy: Amazon founder and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Jeff Bezos (61), married his fiancée, former journalist Lauren Sánchez (55), in a luxurious private ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore Island in Venice on Friday night.
Lauren wore a stunning custom-designed white gown by Dolce & Gabbana, which reportedly took over 18 months to create. According to international media, the total cost of the wedding was estimated between $46.5 million and $55.6 million (approximately ₹400–₹480 crore INR).
Staggering Spending on Flowers, Fashion, and Event Planning
Bezos and Sánchez reportedly spent $1 million (₹8.5 crore) on wedding dresses, party outfits, and makeup. The floral decorations alone cost $300,000 (₹2.56 crore), while additional décor expenses reached $450,000 (₹3.84 crore). This brings the total decoration cost to nearly ₹6.4 crore.
In addition, the professional wedding planners—responsible for every detail—were paid $100,000 (₹85.5 lakh). To put it into perspective, the amount spent on flowers alone could easily cover the costs of 12 typical Indian weddings.
Only One Indian Woman Received an Exclusive Invitation
Among the exclusive guest list, Natasha Poonawalla was the only Indian woman personally invited. She is the wife of Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, which produced the Covishield vaccine during India’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Natasha’s presence is attributed to her strong connections in international high society, including Hollywood, philanthropy, fashion, and global business circles. Recognized globally for her influence and charitable work, she was invited as a distinguished guest to this elite celebration.
Celebration Supported by 140-Year-Old Pastry Shop and Local Artisans
The wedding festivities lasted three days and featured services from over 80% local Venetian vendors. Notably, the 140-year-old pastry shop Rosa Salva and artisans from Murano Glassworks played a role in the celebrations. A glamorous pre-wedding party was held on Thursday for the high-profile guests.
Star-Studded Guest List with Personalized Gifts
The guest list included global icons like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Usher, among others. Each guest received special custom gifts: men were given blue velvet Venetian slippers, while women received black open-toe slippers courtesy of Amazon.
