Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez are preparing to host an ultra-luxurious, three-day wedding ceremony in Venice, Italy, from June 24 to June 26. Dubbed the ‘wedding of the century,’ the celebration is expected to cost approximately €55 million (over Rs 548 crore). In contrast, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s 2024 Mumbai wedding reportedly cost between $600 million and $1 billion, as Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani spared no expense on Bollywood-style performances, luxury venues, and international celebrities. We look at a Bezos vs Ambani wedding cost, and which one truly is the wedding of the century.
Jeff Bezos wedding vs Anant Ambani wedding
The wedding venue
Despite earlier rumours that Bezos would marry in Aspen, the couple opted for Venice, confirmed by Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who described the event as intimate, with around 200 guests, and pledged to ensure the city’s daily life remains unaffected. “The many speculations and fake news are completely unfounded,” he said, confirming detailed logistical support.
While the exact date and location of the wedding ceremony remain under wraps, sources indicate that the main celebration is expected to take place on Saturday at the Arsenale — a landmark site in Venice’s eastern quarter. Once the powerhouse of the Venetian Republic’s naval fleet during the 15th century, this historic complex is encircled by towering fortifications and steeped in maritime legacy.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding venue took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The Ambanis also hosted an elaborate pre-wedding celebration that began with a grand three-day event in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and continued with an opulent Mediterranean cruise. The Jamnagar festivities were marked by specially curated themes such as “An Evening in Everland,” “A Walk on the Wild Side,” and “Mela Rouge.” Following this, the couple and their guests embarked on a luxurious voyage across the Mediterranean, aptly titled “La vita è un viaggio” — meaning “Life is a journey” — with glamorous themed gatherings including a masquerade ball and a toga-themed soirée, and scenic stops in Italy and France.
The guest list
Despite the modest guest count, the celebration boasts A‑list names. Confirmed attendees include Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Gayle King, Karlie Kloss, and Eva Longoria. Some reports suggest others like Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, Jay‑Z, Bill Gates, and Lady Gaga may also be present.
The guest list, although not confirmed by the Ambani family, included celebrities, Indian cricketers, along with former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H Nasser, American politician John Kerry, and celebrities like Adele, David Beckham, John Cena and the Kardashians. Needless to say, the whole of Bollywood was also present at the wedding.
Luxury venues and local flair
The couple is working with London-based planners Lanza & Baucina, the same team behind George Clooney’s 2014 wedding. Venetian venues include the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, possibly parts of the Arsenale complex, and even Bezos’s €500 million superyacht Koru. moored in the lagoon. Guests are expected to stay at the Aman Venice, Gritti Palace, St. Regis Venice, Hotel Danieli, and Belmond Hotel Cipriani.
In a gesture towards local integration, approximately 80% of the event’s goods are being sourced from Venetian businesses, including Rosa Salva, which is crafting curated pastry gift bags.
For the elaborate pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, renowned designer Manish Malhotra played a significant role in shaping both the aesthetic and sartorial elements of the events. He worked closely with Nita Ambani to transform her vision into a breathtaking reality, overseeing everything from intricate decor concepts to the creation of exquisite ensembles that reflected the grandeur of the festivities. According to posts shared on Instagram, wedding planning responsibilities for the Merchant family were handled by Reshme Saigal Weddings, a firm known for its meticulous execution of high-profile events.
In addition to Malhotra’s creative direction, the Ambani family brought in a host of industry veterans to elevate the occasion, including acclaimed Bollywood art director and set designer Omung Kumar, who contributed his expertise in crafting the visually striking and thematic backdrops.
Guest accommodation
A collection of Venice’s most opulent hotels has been reserved to host approximately 200 to 250 distinguished guests expected to attend the celebration. Among these are the iconic Cipriani, located on the serene Giudecca Island, and the prestigious Aman Venice, situated along the Grand Canal—famously known as the venue where actor George Clooney celebrated his wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014.
In a similar display of hospitality during Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding events, guests were accommodated in bespoke, eco-conscious luxury tents curated by Evoke Experiences. Set against the scenic backdrop of Jamnagar, Gujarat, these expansive 900-square-foot tents offered an upscale take on outdoor living. Each unit was thoughtfully segmented into four distinct areas: a cozy lounge, a spacious living zone, a master bedroom, and a dressing area complete with an attached washroom. Designed to deliver a “glamping” (glamorous camping) experience, the interiors featured artisanal block print fabrics and premium furnishings, ensuring a balance between comfort, elegance, and the natural surroundings. This unique setup allowed guests to immerse themselves in luxury while staying connected to the cultural and environmental essence of the location.
The food, catering and menu
At the heart of the reception’s culinary charm was Rosa Salva, Venice’s oldest pastry shop dating back to the 19th century. Celebrated for its artisanal baking and traditional recipes, the bakery contributed a genuine touch of Venetian heritage. Guests indulged in signature sweet treats such as Bussolà buranello (buttery Burano cookies), flaky puff pastries, and classic tiramisu. Staying true to the theme of local immersion, many menu items featured ingredients sourced directly from the Veneto region, reinforcing a celebration rooted in authenticity and regional pride.
Insider information reveals that the reception menu showcased:
Fresh Adriatic seafood
Seasonal vegetables from local markets
Risottos and pastas prepared using time-honored regional techniques
Select Italian wines and Prosecco
Each dish was thoughtfully crafted to mirror Venice’s rich natural bounty and cultural essence, prioritising simplicity, freshness, and genuine flavour.
On the other hand, the wedding dinner by Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant embraced a vegetarian-first ethos, with inventive dishes from celebrated chefs and local vendors.
Chef Virgilio Martinez from Peru contributed a refined vegetarian tasting menu, featuring creations like cashew rolls, mountain chimichurri, fresh cheese preparations, and textured Amazon cassava.
Chef Avinash Martins from Goa introduced a Goan twist with items such as tender coconut carpaccio paired with asparagus and Brussels sprouts.
Kashi Chaat Bhandar of Varanasi delighted guests with authentic Indian street foods, including dahi bhalla, tomato chaat, chana kachori, palak chaat, kulfi, along with popular favourites like pani puri, aloo chaat, papdi chaat, bhalla papdi, mix chaat, dahi puri, chura matar, samosa, and gulab jamun.
Nikhil Caterers, in partnership with Food Link, provided traditional Maharashtrian delicacies to further enrich the regional culinary diversity.
While the Ambani wedding set Asia’s record standards at $600 million–$1 billion, Bezos’s is shaping up to be perhaps the most extravagant in Venice’s modern history at a projected €55 million.
