When wealth and glamour collide, expectations soar—but Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate. In Venice, Italy, a star-studded affair promised opulence, only to be upended by an unexpected twist. What was meant to be a dazzling kickoff to a high-profile event turned chaotic, leaving A-listers scrambling. Here’s how the evening unfolded.

Summary

• Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s pre-wedding party in Venice was disrupted by a massive thunderstorm.
• A-list guests, including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, were soaked as they fled for cover.
• The event, held at Madonna dell’Orto cloisters, ended early due to torrential rain and wind.
• Despite the chaos, an Italian saying suggests a wet bride brings luck.
• The three-day wedding celebration continues, with vows expected on Friday.

The Storm That Stole the Show

On Thursday, Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s billionaire founder, and fiancée Lauren Sanchez hosted a glittering pre-wedding bash at Venice’s historic Madonna dell’Orto cloisters. The event, part of a lavish three-day wedding extravaganza, drew A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner. 

But as temperatures hovered near 96.8°F, a freak thunderstorm unleashed chaos, cutting the star-studded soiree short. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and torrential rain sent guests diving for cover under the venue’s vaulted cloisters.

“It just goes to show you can have all the money in the world, but you can’t control the weather,” an onlooker remarked, noting an Italian proverb: “A wet bride is a happy and lucky bride.”

Guests Scramble Amid Downpour

The storm’s strong winds whipped away tablecloths and forced waiters to scramble for umbrellas to shield VIPs. Kim, 44, and Khloe, 40, struggled to protect their couture gowns, with security teams guiding them to water taxis dispatched 45 minutes early. 

Kylie Jenner shared a photo of her rain-soaked water taxi on Instagram, capturing the night’s disarray. Despite the setback, the mood remained resilient, with guests undeterred by the soggy ordeal.

Bezos and Sanchez’s Big Weekend

The thunderstorm couldn’t dampen the couple’s plans entirely. The pre-wedding bash marked the start of a multi-day celebration, with Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, set to exchange vows on Friday. 

Reports suggest the couple, already legally married in the U.S. a month ago, is hosting 200 guests, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Brady, for a ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore island. 

“They’re like two kids in love,” an insider said of the couple, who shrugged off protests and logistical hiccups to celebrate.

Looking Ahead

While locals grumbled about canal closures and overtourism, the Bezos-Sanchez wedding presses on. With a $20 million price tag and a guest list boasting global elites, the event underscores wealth’s spectacle—though nature had the last word on Thursday. As one guest quipped, “Even billionaires can’t buy clear skies.”