STORY: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez departed the Aman Hotel on Thursday (June 26),

heading to the first event of their three-day wedding celebration in Venice.

Some 200-250 A-listers from show business, politics and finance are expected to take part in what has been widely dubbed "wedding of the century," estimated to cost around $50 million.

The event has stirred a debate about its impact on one of the world's most beautiful cities, with protesters seeing it as an example of Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-rich outsiders, but others enjoying the spectacle and the spending.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: JEFF BEZOS, LAUREN SANCHEZ LEAVING HOTEL / OPRAH WINFREY AND ORLANDO BLOOM LEAVING SEPARATE HOTEL

SENDING COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: VENICE, ITALY (JUNE 26, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. AMAZON FOUNDER JEFF BEZOS AND JOURNALIST LAUREN SANCHEZ LEAVING AMAN HOTEL AND GETTING INTO BOAT

2. BOAT SAILING AWAY

3. OPRAH WINFREY GETTING INTO BOAT /BOAT LEAVING GRITTI HOTEL

4. ORLANDO BLOOM AND OTHERS GETTING INTO BOAT