Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to celebrate $20 million Venetian wedding TODAY as A-list guests are forced to cut short final party before lavish ceremony: Live updates

‘They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law,’ the insider revealed.

They added: ‘When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married.

‘There is no application for a wedding license from the couple because it was not required.

‘Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.’

The source also claimed that Jeff had personally confirmed that he and Lauren are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion fortune.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez pictured yesterday in Venice

The lavish event held at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters marked the start of the billionaire couple’s lavish three-day wedding in Venice, Italy, which will come to a close on Saturday.

However, Thursday night’s star-studded soiree was brought to an early end due to the intense downpour.

Guests dived for cover under the vaulted cloisters as lightening bolts flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled overhead at the end of what was a torridly humid day with temperatures nudging 96.8° Fahrenheit.

Torrential downpours and a strong wind left guests soaked as they then dashed for water taxis which had been scrambled a good 45 minutes ahead of the midnight finish time.

One onlooker said: ‘It just goes to show you can have all the money in the world but you cant control the weather – although an Italian saying says a wet bride is a happy and lucky bride.’

The island of San Giorgio Maggiore will be the backdrop to today’s wedding ceremony between Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez

On the island there are 11 small chapels enclosed in private gardens which have been closed for several days and have previously been hired out by the super-rich.

Incredibly rich in history, the gardens include a 128-metre private library and also a maze which are both usually buzzing with tourists this time of year.

Gardeners, builders and electricians have been working to make sure all of the final details are complete ahead of the bride and groom’s arrival later today.

Around 30 ex-marine security men also patrolled the island, in what appeared to be them preparing for the arrival of the 200 guests.

Not a private members club in the traditional sense, the island is home to a sailing company that has private facilities on the island like a clubhouse which can also be used for events like weddings and gatherings.

However the private events are usually arranged with the money to then be donated to the islands charity, Fondazione Giorgio Cini.

The problem is with the Bezos wedding is we don’t know where that money is going. That’s been difficult and the thing we are upset about.

The ceremony will take place on San Giorgio Maggiore island

The multi-billionaire Amazon founder, 61, was seen stepping off a boat alongside his glamorous girlfriend, 55, at the luxury Aman Hotel on Wednesday.

After being dropped off by water taxi to the hotel’s private jetty, the couple were also joined by around 50 other of their closest guests and friends.

The couple chose Italy to host their wedding following a two-year engagement.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice.

The Amazon founder and one of the world’s richest men and the former TV journalist today host a lavish ceremony during their three-day celebration in the Italian city costing an estimated $20 million.

Hollywood A-listers and super-rich guests have made their way to San Giorgio Maggiore island in the Venetian Lagoon for what has been dubbed the ‘wedding of the century’.

But the nuptials have caused anger in Venice with protest banners, posters and graffitis plastered in recent days with activists planning to disrupt the celebrations.

Stick with us for the latest updates with our correspondents Nick Pisa and Molly Clayton reporting from Venice plus our reporters in London and New York.