Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, is once again in the spotlight as he prepares for his wedding to Lauren Sánchez, a former journalist and author. Their wedding, set to take place in the Italian city of Venice, has drawn global media attention, not only for the couple’s status and the high-profile guest list but also due to local controversies and protests surrounding the event.
The wedding is scheduled to take place during the last weekend of June, with celebrations planned to span three days. The couple got engaged in 2023, and their relationship became public in 2019, shortly after Bezos separated from his former wife, MacKenzie Scott. Sánchez, known for her work as a television host and her passion for aviation, has since been a visible partner alongside Bezos, including participating in space-related ventures.
The celebrations are set in Venice, a city renowned for its beauty, history, and vulnerability. Although the couple had initially planned to host some of the festivities at the 16th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia, opposition from local activists led to a change in venue. These protests have centred around the strain such lavish events can place on the already fragile infrastructure and the growing resentment among Venetians over the commodification of their city. As a result, the festivities have been relocated to venues farther from the city centre, such as the San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica and the Arsenale, a restored maritime complex on the edge of Venice.
The wedding itself is expected to be an elaborate affair, drawing about 200 guests, including several internationally known figures from the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment. Notable personalities expected to attend include Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ivanka Trump, Katy Perry, and Tom Brady. Reports suggest that around 95 private jets have requested permission to land at Venice’s Marco Polo airport in connection with the event.
Despite the secrecy surrounding the exact details, various media outlets have reported that the celebrations began with a pre-wedding event on the couple’s private yacht, Koru. This yacht, the same one on which Bezos proposed to Sánchez, was the setting for a foam party attended by close friends. Throughout the week, guests have been spotted arriving in Venice, with the couple seen at the luxurious Aman Hotel.
While many local merchants stand to benefit, not everyone is celebrating. A grassroots “No Space for Bezos” movement, backed by housing groups, university students, and environmental organizations, has voiced strong opposition. Demonstrators argue that such extravagance deepens tourism pressures and undermines local quality of life, calling it symbolic of wealthy outsiders taking over Venice. Activists staged protests in the city’s iconic squares and floated banners reading “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.” They urge the city to limit such events to preserve heritage and respect residents’ needs.
In contrast, regional authorities and the mayor of Venice have defended the event. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro emphasized that planning for the wedding included measures to avoid disruption, protect the fragile infrastructure, and ensure locals continue with their daily lives. He said the city would accommodate the celebration respectfully and safely, asserting that celebrations of this scale can occur without harm. Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia welcomed the event, highlighting the economic boost it offers. He estimated that wedding-related spending — from hotels to catering and transport — could reach between €20 million and €30 million (about $22 million to $33 million), with some forecasts even higher.
One of the more visible protests involved Greenpeace activists who unveiled a large banner in Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Square. The message on the banner targeted Bezos directly, stating that if he could afford to rent Venice for his wedding, he could also afford to pay more in taxes. Authorities swiftly removed the banner, but it underscored the tension surrounding the celebrations.
The city’s officials have responded to the criticism by emphasizing the efforts made to minimise disruptions and maintain respect for the city’s heritage. Venice’s mayor and regional governor have both expressed support for the wedding, citing the economic benefits and the care taken by the event organisers to involve local suppliers and services. Event management firms hired by Bezos and Sánchez have also stated that they have taken measures to ensure minimal impact on the city’s residents.
The couple has also aimed to tie their celebration to a broader cause. According to the wedding invitation, guests have been asked not to bring gifts. Instead, Bezos and Sánchez plan to make donations to several organisations, including those dedicated to the preservation of Venice’s cultural and environmental heritage. This includes contributions to the UNESCO Venice Office and Corila, a group focused on protecting the city’s lagoon.
The final wedding ceremony is expected to be held at the San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica, a historic church located on its own island, which offers both grandeur and privacy. After the ceremony, guests will proceed to the Arsenale for the concluding event. This location, a former shipyard surrounded by water and limited in access, provides a secure and controlled space for such a high-profile gathering.
In the lead-up to the wedding, tensions have remained. Local protests, heightened media scrutiny, and the ever-present debate over the role of wealth in global cities have all played into the public narrative around the event. Still, for the couple and their close circle, the wedding is also a celebration of their journey together and a statement of shared goals, both personal and philanthropic.
Lauren Sánchez, aside from her journalism career, has become known for her involvement in space exploration projects, particularly those led by Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Bezos. She participated in the company’s all-women flight crew and has remained active in discussions around women in science and aviation. Her recent bachelorette party in Paris included well-known figures such as Eva Longoria, Kris Jenner, and Katy Perry, adding to the buildup ahead of the Venice wedding.
Jeff Bezos, who stepped down as Amazon CEO in 2021, has continued to focus on various ventures, including Blue Origin and philanthropic projects. His decision to marry in Venice has brought attention to the city but also to the broader themes of privilege, responsibility, and how high-profile individuals interact with public spaces.
