Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to tie the knot in what has been dubbed the "wedding of the century," with their lavish three-day celebration unfolding in Venice, Italy, from June 24 to June 26, 2025. The event has drawn significant attention not only for its star-studded guest list and extravagant scale but also for the mounting protests it has sparked among Venice residents concerned about the city's overtourism and the perceived commercialization of their historic home.
The couple, engaged since May 2023, have kept many wedding details under wraps, but reports confirm that the festivities will take place on or around the private island of San Giorgio Maggiore, located opposite the iconic St Mark's Square. The exact venue has been a subject of speculation, with possibilities including Bezos's $500 million superyacht, the Koru, the historic Scuola Grande della Misericordia, and ultimately, due to security concerns and protests, the Arsenale—a vast complex of shipyards and warehouses on Venice's outskirts.
The guest list reads like a who's who of global celebrities and influential figures, with names such as Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and even Jordan's Queen Rania reportedly attending. The couple has secured accommodations in some of Venice's most prestigious hotels, including the Aman on the Grand Canal, where George and Amal Clooney famously married in 2014, as well as the Gritti Palace, St. Regis, Belmond Cipriani, and Hotel Danieli.
Preparations for the wedding have been meticulous and locally focused. According to a source, about 80% of the wedding provisions will be sourced from Venetian vendors, supporting the local economy. Rosa Salva, Venice's oldest pastry maker, is crafting goody bags for guests, while the design studio Laguna B is contributing colorful, handblown Murano glass pieces. The event planners, Lanza & Baucina Limited, who also orchestrated the Clooneys' 2014 Venice wedding, emphasized their commitment to minimizing disruption and respecting the city's unique fragility. “From the outset, instructions from our client and our own guiding principles were abundantly clear: the minimising of any disruption to the city, the respect for its residents and institutions and the overwhelming employment of locals in the crafting of the events,” the planners stated.
Lauren Sanchez, the former TV journalist, has been spotted preparing for the big day with rumored assistance from Anna Wintour in selecting her wedding gown, with Oscar de la Renta and Dolce & Gabbana among the speculated designers. Sanchez is expected to make around 27 outfit changes during the festivities, underscoring the event's grandeur.
Despite the glamour, the wedding has ignited fierce opposition among many Venetians. The activist group "No Space for Bezos" has been at the forefront of protests, decrying the event as a symbol of the city's privatization and exploitation by the ultra-rich. Protesters argue that the wedding will exacerbate Venice's ongoing struggles with overtourism, which has led to skyrocketing living costs, dwindling local populations, and the erosion of essential services. "He is basically going to treat the whole city as a private ballroom, as a private event area, as if the citizens are not there," said Alice Bazzoli, a member of the group.
Protest actions have included unfurling a massive banner from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica with Bezos's name crossed out and plans to block canals with boats and bodies to disrupt guest arrivals. Environmental concerns have also been raised, especially regarding the use of large yachts in the fragile Venetian lagoon. Greenpeace and the UK group Everyone Hates Elon joined the protests on June 23, unveiling a banner in St Mark's Square stating, "If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax." Clara Thompson, a Greenpeace campaigner, criticized billionaires for their environmental impact and tax avoidance, stating, "While Venice is sinking under the weight of the climate crisis, billionaires are partying like there is no tomorrow on their mega-yachts."
The protests have influenced the wedding's logistics. Initially expected to be held at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, the celebrations were relocated to the Arsenale due to threats from protesters who planned to block canals with inflatable crocodiles and heightened security concerns amid geopolitical tensions. Venice's police chief, Darco Pellos, confirmed increased security measures to protect guests, noting concerns about potential threats targeting high-profile attendees, including members of the Trump family.
The scale of the event is immense, with over 90 private jets expected to arrive at Venice's Marco Polo airport, bringing guests from cities as far-flung as Los Angeles, Tanzania, London, Budapest, and New York. The Koru yacht, accompanied by the support ship Abeona, is set to dock in the Venetian lagoon, having hosted an exuberant foam party off the Croatian coast shortly before the wedding week began.
Venice's Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has defended the event, expressing honor that the city is a global stage and assuring that the wedding will be conducted respectfully without disrupting daily life. He referenced Venice's history of hosting major events such as the G20 and G7 summits and the Venice Film Festival, stating, "Venice is used to being the stage for events and shows every week, without significant impacts." However, he also criticized the protesters, calling their actions a disservice to the city's image.
Local business groups have rallied in support of the wedding under the slogan "Yes Venice Can," emphasizing the economic benefits the event will bring. They argue that the influx of high-spending guests and media attention will inject millions of euros into the local economy, supporting jobs and services.
The wedding's cost is estimated to be between $7 million and $21.5 million, depending on sources, a relatively modest sum for Bezos, whose net worth is estimated at $225 billion, making him the fourth-wealthiest person globally. Each guest is reportedly receiving curated goodie bags featuring Venetian specialties, further highlighting the couple's efforts to engage with local culture.
As the world watches, the Bezos-Sanchez wedding in Venice encapsulates the tensions between global luxury and local realities. It raises pressing questions about how historic cities can balance hosting high-profile events with preserving their cultural heritage and serving their residents. For now, Venice braces for a week that promises unforgettable celebrations amid a backdrop of protest and debate.
