You’ve probably seen the blurry paparazzi shots from Venice. The ones where billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are draped in Dolce & Gabbana, surrounded by a guest list that looks like a seating chart for the Oscars. But for all the talk about the $500 million superyacht Koru and those "nearly blacked out" diamonds, the music at the 2025 wedding was surprisingly focused on specific personal vibes. It wasn't just a random shuffle of pop stars; it was a curated list of performers who actually have some history with the couple.
Jeff Bezos wedding performers: The names that actually showed up
Honestly, when you have enough money to buy most small countries, people expect a Coachella-sized lineup. Rumors were flying for months that Jeff Bezos was trying to book Lady Gaga and Elton John. Reports even surfaced that he balked at a $6 million price tag per artist, which, if we’re being real, sounds a bit like internet gossip considering he earns that in a few minutes of Amazon stock fluctuation.
What actually happened in Venice during that June 2025 weekend was much more deliberate.
The ceremony took place on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. It was quiet. Emotional. For that specific moment, the couple tapped Matteo Bocelli, the son of the legendary Andrea Bocelli. He sang "Can’t Help Falling in Love." It was a classic move. It didn't scream "tech mogul," it screamed "Old World romance."
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The Royal Connection with Ellie Goulding
This is where it gets interesting. If you felt a bit of déjà vu watching the reception footage, there’s a reason. Ellie Goulding was a major highlight among the Jeff Bezos wedding performers.
She famously performed at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton back in 2011. For the Bezos-Sánchez nuptials, she repeated her iconic rendition of Elton John’s "Your Song." It’s basically her "thing" now for ultra-high-net-worth weddings. She also played her hit "Starry Eyed" and, interestingly, a cover of "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. It turns out even billionaires can't resist a mid-2000s indie-rock anthem when they’ve had a few glasses of Italian wine.
Why Usher and DJ Cassidy ruled the "Pajama Party"
The wedding wasn't just a stiff, black-tie affair. By Saturday night, the third day of the celebration, things got a lot less formal. The couple hosted what guests called a "pajama-themed blowout." Everyone was in silk robes and slippers—specifically black Amazon slippers for the ladies and custom Vibi Venezia velvet slippers for the men.
Usher took the stage for this part.
He didn't just give a "corporate gig" performance. He’s been a friend of the couple for a while. He brought the energy of a Vegas residency to a Venetian island, getting people like Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio to actually dance. There’s something hilarious about the image of the world’s richest man in silk pajamas dancing to "Yeah!" until four in the morning.
DJ Cassidy handled the decks.
Cassidy is basically the "final boss" of celebrity DJs. He’s the guy you call when you have a guest list that includes the Kardashians, Bill Gates, and Kris Jenner. He’s known for his "Pass the Mic" style, and he kept the floor packed. Sources at the event said there were no formal "first dances" at this late-night bash; the couple just hopped on stage with Usher and stayed there.
A quick look at the entertainment timeline:
- Ceremony: Matteo Bocelli (Classical/Romantic)
- Reception: Ellie Goulding (Pop/Royal Vibes)
- The After-Party: Usher and DJ Cassidy (R&B/Dance)
- The Engagement Prep: Jewel (Performed an original song "Legendary" in late 2023)
The ones who didn't make the cut
There's always a lot of chatter about who didn't perform. Like I mentioned, Lady Gaga and Elton John were the big "maybe" names. Some industry insiders suggested they were worried about the optics—basically, "do-gooder" artists performing for a billionaire amidst local Venetian protests about the environmental impact of the event. Whether it was the $6 million fee or the PR risk, they weren't there.
Instead of a 20-person lineup of the Billboard Top 10, Bezos and Sánchez went with people they actually like. It felt more like a very, very expensive birthday party than a public concert.
What we can learn from the Bezos wedding vibe
Look, you’re probably not booking Usher for your next backyard BBQ. But the strategy behind the Jeff Bezos wedding performers is actually a masterclass in event flow. They transitioned from "Traditional/Stately" (Bocelli) to "Nostalgic/Classy" (Goulding) to "High-Energy/Personal" (Usher).
If you're looking to replicate even a fraction of that "star-studded" energy for your own events, focus on the transition. Don't start with the loud music. Let the ceremony breathe with something acoustic or classical. Save the "hits" for when the ties come off—or in Lauren Sánchez's case, when the Dolce & Gabbana lace is swapped for silk pajamas.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're tracking celebrity event trends for 2026, keep an eye on "multi-day destination programming." The Bezos wedding proved that the "one-day event" is dead for the ultra-wealthy. To stay ahead of the curve, look into the rise of curated playlists (yes, Bezos allegedly had a Spotify backup) and thematic after-parties that prioritize guest comfort—like the pajama trend—over formal attire.