As wedding bells chime in the picturesque canals of Venice, the spotlight shines brightly on Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez. Their opulent three-day wedding celebration kicks off on Tuesday, June 24, set against the breathtaking backdrop of this iconic city. Festivities will unfold in spectacular locations, including the couple’s stunning $500 million superyacht, Koru, as well as prestigious venues like the Scuola Grande della Misericordia and the enchanting island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
While the guest list remains somewhat of a mystery, Vogue hints at high-profile attendees. Names like Kim Kardashian, who celebrated at Sánchez’s Paris bachelorette party last month, and Katy Perry, who shared a space flight with the soon-to-be bride earlier this year, are rumored to be in attendance. Discussions also swirl around members of the Trump family, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, possibly joining this star-studded affair.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to tie the knot this summer in Italy after a two-year engagement pic.twitter.com/iRUJwUSaUY
— Naija (@Naija_PR) March 23, 2025
Yet not everyone is celebrating this grand occasion. Locals express their discontent, with one Reddit user suggesting that protestors block canals with boats and make a ruckus to disrupt the festivities. “Pelt the wedding with eggs,†another commenter proposed, highlighting the anger felt by some Venetians against the display of wealth in their historic city.
Venice locals plan to block the canals in protest of Jeff Bezos’s wedding! 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/rKNAfS4ndN
— Suzie rizzio (@Suzierizzo1) June 20, 2025
While frustration simmers online, it’s also spilled into public demonstrations. A protest group gathered on June 14 in Campo San Giacometo, voicing their concerns with signs and speeches. The day before, they gained attention by unfurling a massive banner atop the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore, declaring “No Space for Bezos.â€Â
No Space for Bezos. pic.twitter.com/6soHsljp15
— Petra Reski (@PetraReski) June 13, 2025
The protest group, boasting over 4,000 followers on Instagram, has been vocal about rejecting what they see as the city prioritizing wealthy outsiders over its residents. They call for collective action to disrupt the wedding and raise awareness about over-tourism.
Despite the protest fervor, city officials maintain that the event will not be detrimental to local life. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has assured residents that the wedding will incur “no abnormal disruption†and that they’re working closely with organizers to respect the city’s unique heritage. In a recent statement to the Associated Press, he expressed pride in the couple’s choice of Venice, calling it a chance for the city to shine on a global stage.
Amidst the swirling controversies and protests, Bezos and Sánchez remain focused on their celebration. With their luxury yacht moored in the enchanting lagoon and preparations in full swing, June 24 promises to be an event that merges the grandeur of wealth with the complexities of life in one of the world’s most beloved cities.