The wedding celebrations for former TV presenter Lauren Sanchez and Amazon entrepreneur Jeff Bezos have already started in Venice, but the couple has become the target of an unexpected criticism: their wedding invitation.
Online mockery has erupted after ABC News was able to gain a glimpse of the invitation. In a multi-day celebration that is expected to include an official ceremony on the scenic island of San Giorgio Maggiore on Friday, June 27, the pair, who have been together for six years, will exchange vows.
The invitation’s design, a collage of butterflies, birds, feathers, and shooting stars in pink and blue hues against a stark white background, has been called “atrocious” and “ugly” by social media users. This is far from the elegance that would be expected for a billionaire’s wedding.
There was a note on the card asking guests not to bring presents. It said, “We can’t wait to have you here! We would like to request in advance that there be no gifts. Rather, the invitation stated that the couple will donate to charity on behalf of guests.
“Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city’s irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice’s future, and to Venice.” “This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come,” the invitation added.
Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sanchez’s wedding invite unveiled by ABC News:
“Please, no gifts” pic.twitter.com/Gwaaqyd4f0
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 24, 2025
Although the idea seems well-considered, many were not impressed by the visual presentation. The invitation was swiftly ridiculed by users on X (previously Twitter). “Was the invitation made in Microsoft Paint?” jokingly asked one user. Another bluntly remarked, “That invite is atrocious. Obviously, money can’t buy taste or class.”
One commented scathingly, “Wow, what an ugly announcement/invitation. With all the money he has they could have at least done something pretty and classy.” This invitation looks like an 11-year-old made it,” wrote another user.
Wow what an ugly announcemen/invitation. With all the money he has they could have at least done something pretty and classy. But I guess taking into consideration what she has done to herself with all plastic surgery, botox, fillers, etc…. I’m guessing that just isn’t…
— 💜 Pamela C 💜 (@auntie_wombat) June 25, 2025
There is still a lot of excitement for the well-known event in spite of the criticism. The Independent stated that although early rumors indicated the wedding celebrations will take place from June 24 to 26, the real schedule seemed to be later in the week. Only the ceremony’s date in late June has been confirmed by Italian authorities.
According to several reports, the extravagant event will take place over three days, and a major part of the festivities will be Bezos’s opulent superyacht Koru, which is parked in Venice’s harbor.
