VENICE, Italy (AP) — The Italian city of Venice is at the center of attention as it prepares for the highly anticipated wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez, scheduled for 2025. With the couple’s adventurous spirit, including space travel, expectations surrounding the wedding are sky-high.
The choice of Venice, renowned as one of the world's most enchanting cities, serves as a stunning backdrop for the lavish event. A star-studded guest list featuring celebrities and business leaders adds to the buzz, while plans for local involvement are also in motion. Despite the excitement, the details surrounding the wedding remain largely undisclosed, with hints suggesting multiple events will take place across the city, making logistics particularly challenging.
Recent days have seen an influx of private jets landing at Venice's airport and luxury yachts arriving in the city's waters, carrying an array of athletes, celebrities, influencers, and business tycoons. The gatherings echo the 2014 wedding of actor George Clooney, which also occurred in Venice, attracting large crowds and media attention. However, the Bezos/Sánchez nuptials have ignited protests, reflecting a complex socio-economic backdrop.
Logistically, organizing an event in Venice is fraught with challenges, given the city’s intricate canal system. Jack Ezon, CEO of luxury travel advisory and event planner Embark Beyond, notes that coordinating transportation via boats significantly increases costs, potentially tripling the expenses compared to holding a similar event in other Italian cities like Rome or Florence. The estimated budget for the Bezos/Sánchez wedding ranges from 40 to 48 million euros (up to $56 million), which starkly contrasts the average American wedding cost of approximately $36,000 in 2025.
The Bezos team has maintained a shroud of secrecy regarding expenditures, prompting speculation about extravagant features, such as headline musical performances or elaborate setups. Local media surmises the couple plans a ceremony on San Giorgio Island, while a reception is anticipated at the prestigious Arsenale, a former naval base regularly hosting prestigious events like the Venice Biennale.
However, the impending wedding has met opposition from various local organizations protesting against what they perceive as a display of excessive wealth amidst rising inequality and housing shortages in Venice. Activists have rallied under the banner “No Space for Bezos,” connecting his space exploration company, Blue Origin, to the city’s challenges. Protests have included banners denouncing Bezos’ tax contributions and symbolic demonstrations, such as a mannequin resembling him floating in a canal.
Despite these protests, local authorities defensively highlight the economic benefits the wedding will bring to Venice, insisting it serves as a substantial promotional opportunity for the city. According to Italy’s tourism minister, Daniela Santanchè, the wedding will generate significant publicity and stimulate local commerce, encompassing restaurants, artisans, and shops.
Jeff Bezos, who currently boasts a net worth of $231 billion, previously kept a low profile during his tenure as Amazon's CEO but has signified a shift toward philanthropy since stepping down in 2021. He has made commitments to contribute a major portion of his wealth during his lifetime. Notably, his Earth Fund has recently supported environmental efforts in Venice, drawing attention from local activists.
As preparations continue in Venice, the world will be watching closely to see how this union unfolds against the backdrop of luxury and local sentiment, making it one of the most talked-about social events of the year.
