Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, journalist Lauren Sanchez, arrived in Venice on Wednesday ahead of a three-day celebration drawing global elites to what is being dubbed the “wedding of the century.” Despite widespread excitement, the extravagant affair has sparked protests from locals concerned about the growing commercialization of their historic city.
An estimated 90 private jets are expected to touch down in northern Italy as high-profile guests from Hollywood, finance, and politics descend on the lagoon city. The festivities, which may cost between €40–48 million, began Thursday with a gathering at the medieval church of Madonna dell’Orto in Venice’s Cannaregio district.
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The couple was seen checking into the ultra-luxurious Aman Venice Hotel on the Grand Canal, where many guests will also be staying. Meanwhile, Venice City Hall issued security restrictions around party venues to separate VIP attendees from demonstrators. Residents have voiced frustration over feeling excluded from their own city. “We who were born here have to either move or ask for permission to board a ferry,” said local Nadia Rigo.
In response to criticism, Veneto Governor Luca Zaia announced that Bezos and Sanchez have donated €3 million to local institutions, including an academic consortium studying the lagoon, UNESCO’s Venice office, and Venice International University. Zaia thanked the couple for their “extraordinary generosity.”
While the exact date and location of the wedding remain under wraps, many guests are expected to attend a second celebration on Friday on San Giorgio Island, opposite the iconic St. Mark’s Square. The island hosts the Cini Foundation, known for its cultural gatherings in a historic monastery.
