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ABC News obtained a portion of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding invitationThe invitation requested no gifts. Instead, the couple will donate to the city of Venice on their guests’ behalfThe card features drawings of flying birds, floating feathers, shooting stars, fluttering butterflies and rowing gondoliers
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding invitation has been revealed.
ABC News obtained a portion of Bezos and Sánchez’s wedding invitation, which was sent to guests in May ahead of the couple’s upcoming wedding in Venice, Italy. The card features drawings of flying birds, floating feathers, shooting stars, fluttering butterflies and rowing gondoliers. While the background of the invitation is entirely white, its decorations feature touches of bright pink and blue.
The billionaire couple invited guests to forgo gifts and instead lists three Venetian charities that they will donate to on their behalf.
“We are excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts,” the invitation reads. “Instead we’re making contributions in your honor and with gratitude to you for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice.”
The invitation continues: “Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard the city’s irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice’s future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions.”
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos.
Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic
Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, concluded their invitation by sharing how meaningful their wedding destination is to them.
“This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories,” the pair wrote. “Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come.”
Sebastiano Costa Longa, local city councillor for commerce and productive activities of the municipality of Venice, recently told PEOPLE, “Certainly the message sent by Bezos regarding the gifts to be given was that they should be gifted not to him but to Venice.”
Costa Longa added that the couple is sending “a very important message that should also be extended to the other people who come to get married in Venice, or to celebrate any kind of event here. We are definitely happy to have this funding for the protection of our very delicate city.”
Despite the wedding drawing protests from locals, Costa Longa said most people are at ease with the festivities, noting Venice often plays host to large-scale events.
“Venice is used to these events, so the locals are quite serene … many people who work in Venice, artisans, merchants, they are all all excited, in ferment and ready to welcome this event and work for those who love Venice,” he said, adding, “Even the organization at the security level is used to working with major events in Venice, so we are quite calm and prepared.”
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Earlier this month, a source told The Associated Press that Bezos and Sánchez’s wedding will spotlight Venice’s rich artisanal heritage, including its glassware and pastries. As a show of appreciation, the couple is sourcing about 80% of the provisions for the multi-day wedding from Venetian vendors — among them pastry maker Rosa Salva and Murano glass design studio Laguna B.
Celebrity guests have already begun arriving in Venice, with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner spotted in the Floating City on Tuesday, June 24. Diane von Fürstenberg was also spotted arriving at Venice’s Marco Polo airport on the same day.
An exclusive source revealed to PEOPLE that Matteo Bocelli, son of Andrea Bocelli, will perform at the star-studded ceremony.
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