• 24 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• No comment

Jeff Bezos’ Lavish Wedding in Venice Draws Backlash from Locals.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s upcoming three-day wedding celebration in Venice has sparked public outcry in a city already struggling with the impact of m

ass tourism. Locals and activists are voicing frustration over what they see as the increasing commercialization of their historic city.

The billionaire Amazon founder and his fiancée have reportedly invited around 200 guests to the multi-million dollar event, which will run from Thursday to Saturday. Security has been heightened, and while the exact venue remains undisclosed, locations such as the historic Abbey of Misericordia or the Arsenale shipyard are rumored to be under consideration.

Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are believed to have reserved the city’s top luxury hotels. Their guest list is said to include prominent figures such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Orlando Bloom, and Ivanka Trump.

Venice is preparing for the influx, with nearly 100 private jets requesting to land at Marco Polo Airport and Bezos’ mega-yacht, *Koru*, expected to be anchored near San Giorgio Maggiore island—reportedly reserved for the wedding duration.

     Growing Discontent

Although Venice has hosted celebrity weddings before including George Clooney’s in 2014 this event has provoked deeper criticism. Residents and environmental groups are concerned about the environmental impact and cultural insensitivity of such large-scale private events.

Greenpeace criticized the event’s extravagance amid climate concerns, highlighting the contradiction between Sanchez’s past climate advocacy and her participation in a private space flight on a rocket by Blue Origin, Bezos’ aerospace company.

On Monday, activists unfurled a banner in St. Mark’s Square featuring Bezos’ image and a message: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”

Tommaso Cacciari, head of the protest group No Space for Bezos, said events like these treat Venice like a “private ballroom” rather than a living city. Protesters have threatened to stage demonstrations in the canals using inflatable animals and boats to draw attention to their cause.

      Defending the Celebration

City officials downplayed concerns. Simone Venturini, Venice’s tourism councillor, said the event would not significantly disrupt daily life and was smaller in scale compared to other events the city regularly hosts.

According to the couple’s wedding planners, efforts are being made to limit disruptions. They have reportedly supported local artisans and made donations to the city. Notably, the wedding party will feature traditional Venetian items, including handmade Murano glass and local pastries from the city’s oldest bakery.

Still, the city remains divided. Some residents argue the celebration offers economic benefits. A local supporter group called Yes Venice Can has emerged, praising the global attention and revenue the event is expected to bring.

“It’s a fragile city, yes, but events like this don’t cause real harm,” said Michele Serafini, a 50-year-old local. “It brings money, and that’s a good thing.”

Faith Kegh

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