- Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez wed in Venice, Italy.
- Multi-day celebration includes parties at historic sites like Madonna dell’Orto, Teatro Verde, and the Arsenale.
- 200 guests expected; celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio rumored to attend.
- Backlash from locals over impact on Venice amid over-tourism concerns.
- Bezos and Sánchez asked guests to donate to Venetian charities instead of bringing gifts.
Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Emmy Award-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez have officially tied the knot in an opulent, multi-day celebration across Venice’s most exclusive landmarks. The festivities, which began June 25 and are set to conclude June 28, blend romance, celebrity glamour, and civic controversy in a city renowned for its fragile beauty.
A Fairytale in the Floating City
The couple arrived in Venice via private water taxi, greeted by the shimmering Grand Canal and tight security. The welcome party was held at Madonna dell’Orto, a 14th-century Gothic church, before the June 27 wedding at Teatro Verde, a secluded open-air amphitheater on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Venice tour guide Igor Scomparin described the venue as “a Cinderella’s Castle,” citing its lush gardens and 16th-century Palladian church. “It’s not easy to reach… from a security point of view, it’s very safe,” he added, as reported by Today.
The post-wedding party on June 28 is scheduled at the Arsenale, the historic shipyard and symbol of Venice’s naval legacy, adding another layer of grandeur to the star-studded celebration.
Glitz Meets Controversy
Guests were accommodated at luxury hotels including the Aman Venice, Cipriani, and The Gritti Palace—the latter dubbed “the most luxurious hotel in town” by Scomparin. However, the wedding hasn’t gone unnoticed by locals who argue such lavish events exacerbate the challenges of over-tourism and displacement in a city whose historic population has dropped below 50,000.
Activists behind the “No Space for Bezos” campaign displayed protest banners across iconic sites like the Rialto Bridge and San Giorgio Maggiore. One read: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax.”
Star Power & Social Awareness
Despite the backlash, Bezos and Sánchez attempted to soften public criticism. They declined wedding gifts, instead encouraging donations to Venetian cultural charities. Event planners Lanza & Baucina also reportedly sourced services from local vendors to minimize disruption, according to Today.
The guest list—though tightly kept—reportedly includes Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ivanka Trump, and Katy Perry, reflecting the couple’s Hollywood and political connections. Event preparations included building a massive white structure over Teatro Verde and renovations near the Labyrinth of Borges, demonstrating meticulous planning.
A Union of Influence
Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, began dating in 2019 and announced their engagement in 2023. Sánchez’s family—including her son Nikko and ex-husband Tony Gonzalez—were expected to attend. The wedding, while romantic in its grandeur, also acts as a symbolic merger of powerful empires in media, tech, and aviation.
Despite concerns over Venice’s commodification, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro defended the event, likening its economic benefit to that of the Venice Film Festival, as cited by Today.