The streets of Venice are abuzz with the extravagance of the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding. The star-studded couple are set to tie the knot on June 28, with an even-decorated guest list from the Kardashians to Oprah Winfrey. It is true that Natasha Poonawalla, tight with the bride Lauren Sanchez, was present at her bachelorette and is reportedly the only Indian at their wedding.
Her cryptic post “Celebrating Love” from Venice had netizens speculating whether she’ll attend the wedding. She is seen wearing an extravagant red costume with 3-D velvet hearts. The adornments and the exaggerated love-themed corset dress is a true embodiment of the Poonawalla brand.
The iconic look even received praise from the bride-to-be Lauren Sanchez when she took to the comment section and posted red hearts in praise. Her outfit also speaks volumes about the lavish three-day wedding party hosted by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez aboard the $500 million superyacht. The cost of the wedding, however, is reported to cross the $20 million mark.
Guest-list
From Beyonce to Leonardo DiCaprio, the wedding will be attended by 200 elite guests, including Bill Gates. The intimate, star-studded Venice wedding welcomes around high-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Kris and the rest of the Kardashian‑Jenner clan, Ivanka Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom (sans Katy Perry), Bill Gates, Anna Wintour, and tech titans like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Natasha is the only Indian invited.
Backlash from Venice
The wedding has created quite some headlines and is under scrutiny by the residents of Venice. However, the protests and opposition did not seem to faze the once richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos.
Yet, this high‑profile celebration has ignited fierce backlash. The “No Space for Bezos” campaign and Greenpeace have staged protests across iconic locations like the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Square, and San Giorgio Maggiore, accusing Bezos of turning Venice into an exploitative backdrop for the ultra‑wealthy
Some even threatened to blockade water‑taxi routes with inflatable crocodiles and flamingos. Pressure from activists catalyzed the couple’s venue change, which demonstrators celebrated as a symbolic victory City authorities and officials, by contrast, welcomed the event.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and regional governor Luca Zaia have highlighted the economic upside, hotels fully booked, small‑business gains, and €1 million donations to lagoon conservation, UNESCO Venice, and the local university
As festivities commence, Venice finds itself at a crossroads, balancing the allure of global prestige and economic boost against growing concerns over cultural erosion and community impact.