Bezos’ Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Local Uproar
Venice, one of the world’s most cherished cultural jewels, is once again at the center of a controversy—this time due to the highly anticipated wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former journalist Lauren Sánchez. The couple’s multi-day celebration, set to unfold from June 24 to 28, is drawing international attention not only for its opulence but also for the growing discontent among locals.
An Extravagant Affair
The total cost of the wedding is estimated to range between $16 million and $48 million, making it one of the most expensive private celebrations in recent memory. The festivities will span several days, with events expected to take place on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and possibly aboard Bezos’s $500 million superyacht, Koru.
Approximately 200 celebrity guests are expected to attend, including Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Richard Branson, and Queen Rania. Luxury accommodations have been fully booked at high-end Venetian hotels like Aman Venice, Gritti Palace, St. Regis, Hotel Cipriani, and Hotel Danieli, with room rates reaching €9,000 per night.
The couple is reportedly sourcing 80% of their wedding services locally—ranging from Venetian pastry artisans to Murano glassmakers—and have pledged €1 million to support the preservation of Venice’s lagoon through a local research institute.
Locals Say Enough Is Enough
For Venetians like schoolteacher and activist Marta Sottoriva, the Bezos wedding is more than just another celebrity event. It’s the latest example of how the city has become a magnet for luxury tourism at the expense of local residents. Sottoriva has spent years campaigning against issues like cruise ship congestion and skyrocketing rents. Now she’s leading the charge against what she calls another “gigantic spectacle” that risks turning Venice into a theme park for the wealthy.
Under the banner of “No Space for Bezos,” activists have staged public protests, displayed banners across the city (including one on the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore), and distributed flyers during local events. A striking image of Bezos’ head on a rocket—referencing his Blue Origin space venture—has become a symbol of the campaign.
“Each time something like this happens, Venice stops functioning for its citizens. Entire areas become inaccessible, more tourists flood in, and the sense of living in a community fades,” Sottoriva said. “This wedding is everything that’s wrong with what Venice has become.”
City Officials and Divided Opinions
While Venice’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro and other officials have welcomed the event, claiming it will boost the local economy, opposition voices argue the celebration’s cost won’t benefit ordinary Venetians. City leaders suggest the wedding could inject as much as €30 million into the local economy.
Giovanni Andrea Martini, a member of the city council’s opposition, expressed concern about the lack of transparency and the broader impact on local life. He proposed that Bezos contribute to the community by funding the restoration of over 1,000 abandoned public housing units.
Tourism councillor Simone Venturini argued that Venice has hosted much more complex events and sees no harm in celebrating such a high-profile wedding.
A City Struggling With Its Identity
Venice has long battled the impact of overtourism. With a dwindling local population and a rise in luxury-driven travel, many Venetians fear their city is slowly losing its soul. For some, Bezos’ wedding is merely the latest headline in a growing list of elite spectacles that prioritize image over impact.
Activist Marco Gasparinetti acknowledged the frustrations but urged caution against believing exaggerated media portrayals. Still, he emphasized that the concerns are valid and reflect deeper societal tensions.
As the celebrations near, all eyes will be on Venice—not just to see who’s wearing what, but to witness how a city famed for its resilience balances heritage with the demands of modern fame and fortune.
Latest Update (June 23, 2025): Security preparations have increased across key locations in the city, particularly around San Giorgio Maggiore island. While no official schedule has been released, sources suggest a symbolic exchange of vows will occur on June 26 with guests arriving a day earlier. A final confirmation from city officials is still pending.
