A savvy social media user claims to have uncovered exactly how Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez dropped eight-figures on their lavish Ventian wedding over the weekend.
For those out of the loop, the Amazon CEO wed his long-term girlfriend, FOX News journalist Lauren Sanchez on Friday (27 Jun), two years after the billionaire pair first announced their engagement.
Despite the couple having each been married before - Sanchez, to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell and Bezos to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott - they spared no expense when it came to their nuptials.
After it emerged that they'd essentially rented out the entire 'city of rivers' for their big day, Forbes (amongst other outlets) reported that they'd spent between $10-20 million.
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That number has since doubled in the estimations of a number of finance and events experts, with others believing they likely paid a total of around $50 million for the grand festivities.
Naturally, this figure has sparked much backlash from online critics, many of whom wondered why Bezos is willing to hire an entire island, but won't cough up more tax money.
Democratic politician Bernie Sanders made this exact point during a social media rant recently, hitting out: "This is oligarchy. This is obscene.
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"While 60 per cent live paycheck to paycheck and kids go hungry, Jeff Bezos, worth $230 billion, goes to Venice on his $500 million yacht for a $20 million wedding and spends $5 million on a ring while his real tax rate is just 1.1 per cent."
Others, were left wondering how exactly he and Sanchez dropped so much dough - including one X (formerly Twitter) user, who asked the AI service ChatGPT to give them a most probable run-down. - said user then shared their findings online.
(It's worth noting, these sums are just conjecture, based on what we know about the wedding so far.)
Venue and Accommodation
"The couple booked out five of Venice’s most luxurious hotels, including the Aman, Cipriani, Gritti Palace, and St. Regis, for their 200-250 guests," Chat GPT declared.
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"The average cost per room at these hotels was around $2,000 per night, totaling approximately $900,000 for three nights, assuming 150 rooms were booked. Bezos reportedly covered the cost of relocating guests who had prior bookings at the Aman to other luxury properties.
"The main ceremony took place on the private island of San Giorgio Maggiore, with the final gala at the historic Venetian Arsenale, a former shipyard. A last-minute venue change from Scuola Grande della Misericordia to Arsenale due to security concerns added significant costs."
Catering and Beverages
"The wedding was catered by three-Michelin-star chef Fabrizio Mellino of Quattro Passi, with costs estimated at $1,800 per person for a single night, totaling at least $360,000 for 200 guests," the artificial intelligence site continued.
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"For a three-day contract, this could have reached $1.1 million."
The bill continued: "The beverage selection was particularly lavish, including 50 bottles of 1964 Petrus Pomerol (Bezos’ birth year) at $151,250, 20 bottles of 1969 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Sánchez’s birth year) at $29,980, 20 magnums of 1961 Dom Pérignon at $500,000, 500 bottles of 1996 Dom Pérignon Brut at $799,000, 20 six-liter bottles of 2003 Dom Pérignon Rosé at $399,160, 15 bottles of Louis XIII Cognac at $70,260, and 50 bottles of rare rum at $137,500. Total beverage costs exceeded $2 million."
The online rundown also alleged that the couple likely employed around 150 waiters and waitresses for four days, which would have cost them around $1.8 million, with super strict service.
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"The culinary team included 20 chefs paid $5,000 per day ($500,000 total) and 40 sous chefs and assistants paid $2,000 per day each ($400,000 total over five days)."
Security on the day is also believed to have been a 'major expense', with the receipt continuing to outline: "An estimated $2-3 million spent on a private team of 40-50 agents, including canine units and local Italian police.
"Preparations began months in advance to secure the venues and ensure guest safety."
In terms of set up and decor, ChatGPT predicts another $4.5 million has likely been dropped on the likes of designer furniture, silk coverings for chairs and tables, custom cutlery, and artwork featuring portraits of Bezos and Sánchez.
"Floral arrangements, provided by Munaretto Flowers, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, with $1.6 million specifically for roses in six different colors."
The dress
55-year-old Sanchez is believed to have worn a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown for her big day, 'estimated to cost between $9,000 and several million, depending on its intricacy.'
"She also wore up to $30 million in jewelry, including a 20-carat engagement ring valued at $2.5 million," ChatGPT continued.
Transport
It is thought that the likes of private jets, super yachts, and helicopters were used to welcome guests on Friday, 'with 90 private jets landing at Venice’s Treviso and Verona airports', the AI system predicts.
"Approximately 30 of Venice’s 280 water taxis were reserved for the event, costing an estimated $17.6 million for transportation and related services. Bezos’ $500 million yacht, Koru, was used as a water taxi due to its size limiting access to the Grand Canal."
Extras
As well as goodie bags containing hand-blown Murano glass and pastries from Rosa Salva, one of Venice’s oldest bakeries, guests were given an entire concert performance, with Lady Gaga and Elton John said to have performed.
"If true, such performances would have added millions to the budget, given the typical fees for such artists," ChatGPT added.
Rhianna Benson