When Emmy‑winning journalist‑turned‑astronaut Lauren Sánchez walked down the aisle on San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice on June 27, 2025, she left an impression that was more than visual—it was poetic. Clad in a newly unveiled Dolce & Gabbana masterpiece, Sánchez’s gown fused classic Hollywood romance with the milestones of her evolving life.

Designed under the careful eye of Domenico Dolce, the dress was the result of more than 900 hours of Italian haute couture craftsmanship.

 

It featured an enchanting high neckline, long sleeves, a cinched corset bodice and a fluted mermaid skirt, all adorned in hand-appliquéd Italian lace. The crown jewel? A row of 180 delicate, silk chiffon‑covered buttons that cascaded from throat to train, giving the gown a dramatic yet refined cadence.

A Glamorous Return to Sophisticated Tradition

This wasn’t the daring, skin-baring style Sánchez might once have chosen. Instead, the final gown harkened back to the high-necked elegance of Sophia Loren in Houseboat (1958), her silhouette updated for the 21st century with a glamorous mermaid cut. Speaking to Vogue, Sánchez underscored the transformation:

“It went from ‘I want a simple, sexy modern dress’ to ‘I want something that evokes a moment,’ and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago.”

A Couture Backdrop to a Venice Spectacle

An intimate soirée of about 200 guests witnessed the moment: Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, the Kardashian‑Jenners and Royals among them, all set against Venice’s ancient grandeur. In the early evening light, Sánchez arrived in a cream Dior ensemble before stepping into her main act—the Dolce & Gabbana bridal creation paired with a hand-finished lace veil that swept the cathedral floors.

Dolce & Gabbana’s presence was palpable. Domenico Dolce himself escorted the bride to the ceremony via boat, sealing the look with Alta Gioielleria earrings and reminding us that true Italian couture is storytelling through style.

Romance, Reinvention & Legacy

What made Sánchez’s bridal vision special was not only its grandeur but also its meaning. It symbolised personal growth: a bride reclaiming both tradition and freedom, powered by a partner she said has “revealed me… lets me be unapologetically free”. True to her word, she looked like a princess—elegant, poised, and unapologetically romantic.

This was only the first of several transformative looks. For their celebration weekend, Sánchez transitioned through changes including a burgundy Dolce & Gabbana velvet homage to Venetian Doges; a Rita Hayworth‑inspired sweetheart‑neckline gown for the reception; and an Oscar de la Renta after‑party number dripping with 175,000 crystals and 600 yards of chainwork—true La Dolce Vita, on display.

The Final Flourish

In sum, her wedding gown wasn’t simply couture—it was a narrative. It threaded together 1950s Hollywood glamour, aerospace transcendence, personal therapy and transformation, and Venetian grandeur. Sánchez captured this in one resonant reflection: “Not just a gown, a piece of poetry”—a summation of emotional storytelling woven into silk and lace.