Venetians push back against what they call the city’s transformation into a “rich man’s playground,” as bridges close and public spaces are locked down for the Bezos wedding.
PC Bureau
June 26, 2025 — Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez, have arrived in Venice for what insiders are calling the “wedding of the century” — a three-day spectacle spanning historic Venetian landmarks, steeped in grandeur, exclusivity, and controversy.
The couple was photographed arriving by private water taxi at the Aman Venice, a 16th-century palazzo turned ultra-luxury hotel overlooking the Grand Canal. Once the residence of Count Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, the palatial venue is now ground zero for what is expected to be one of the most expensive private events Europe has seen in years. Wedding estimates range between €40–48 million ($46–56 million).
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90 Private Jets, 250 VIP Guests
According to Italian media reports, up to 90 private jets are expected to land at Venice Marco Polo Airport, bringing 250 guests from the worlds of entertainment, politics, tech, and global finance. Confirmed invitees include media moguls, Hollywood A-listers, top-tier designers, and government figures from multiple continents.
The celebration will unfold in three acts:
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June 27: A welcome gala at the Madonna dell’Orto, a 14th-century Gothic church in Cannaregio famed for its Tintoretto frescoes.
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June 28: A sunset dinner on San Giorgio Maggiore, a quiet island opposite the bustling St. Mark’s Square.
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June 29: The wedding ceremony and reception at The Arsenale, a historic naval shipyard turned event venue. Notably, the Arsenale is connected to the rest of Venice by drawbridges — which will reportedly be raised during the event, rendering the site completely inaccessible to outsiders.
A City on Lockdown: Locals Push Back
But beneath the glamour, many Venetians are seething. Weeks of protests have erupted across the city, with activists decrying what they call the continued “commodification of Venice” — a city increasingly reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
Do you want to know exactly what I think about this Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez wedding in Venice 🇮🇹?
I think Venice has always been a stage for spectacular weddings—of actors, international jet-setters, royalty, celebrities, athletes of every kind—and no one has ever said a… https://t.co/Z8KmYkV6dR pic.twitter.com/hNxDiy02yT
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) June 26, 2025
“There’s only one thing that rules now: money,” said a local resident near the cordoned-off Cannaregio district. “We live here, but now we’re the background for a billionaire’s photo op.”
In anticipation of unrest, Venice City Hall has cordoned off major event zones, severely restricting public movement in popular neighborhoods. Police and private security personnel have also erected barriers and checkpoints near the Aman Hotel, San Giorgio dock, and the Arsenale.
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Bezos Responds with Multi-Million-Euro Donation
In an apparent attempt to ease tensions, Bezos has reportedly pledged €3 million to three local institutions:
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CORILA, a scientific consortium focused on preserving the Venetian lagoon.
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UNESCO’s Venice office, which monitors the city’s world heritage status;
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Venice International University, a research and education hub located on San Servolo Island.
Local officials confirmed the donation but declined to comment on whether it was prompted by the backlash.
Unprecedented Security Measures
The logistics surrounding the wedding reflect both its scale and the perceived risk. Italian authorities, in coordination with private security contractors, have implemented a multi-layered security operation that includes:
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Drone surveillance over Grand Canal airspace.
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Undercover agents embedded in crowds near event sites.
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Movement restrictions along key footbridges and vaporetto (water bus) routes.
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Paparazzi barriers, mirrored curtains, and elevated fencing surrounding the Aman Hotel.
Sources indicate that the Arsenale was chosen for the final day not just for its history and architecture, but for its natural defensibility — a site that, once isolated, can be fully locked down.
Glitz Meets Geopolitics
Observers note that this wedding isn’t just about a love story. It’s also a showcase of modern wealth, tech power, and global inequality playing out in one of the world’s most fragile and symbolic cities.
“Bezos’s Venice wedding is a cultural spectacle that lays bare the contradictions of global capital,” said one Italian political commentator. “It’s a private empire moment in a public city.”
With celebrations underway and security at a maximum, Venetian officials hope the weekend passes without incident. But activists have vowed to continue protests even after the final toast is raised.
As Venice hosts a $50 million ceremony in the midst of rising sea levels, housing shortages, and mass tourism fatigue, the Bezos-Sánchez union may well be remembered not only for its sparkle — but for the civic storm it leaves in its wake.
