Billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez have kicked off their much-anticipated three-day wedding celebration in Venice, Italy, drawing global attention—not just for the A-list guest list, but also for the controversy surrounding the extravagant event.
Celebrity Guests Arrive in Style
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, guests began arriving via speedboats and water taxis to mark the start of what many are calling the “wedding of the year.” Among the famous faces spotted were Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady, Ivanka Trump, and Spencer Antle. Reality stars and moguls alike made waves in Venice as they disembarked in designer gowns and stilettos, adding glamour to the already glitzy affair.
The bride-to-be, Lauren Sanchez, has reportedly prepared 27 outfits for the celebration and was seen wearing a black, silver-sequined dress as she arrived with Bezos at the luxurious Aman Venice hotel, a historic 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal.
Ceremony Details and Schedule
The couple has invited approximately 200 guests to the celebration, which began with an open-air reception at Madonna dell’Orto, a 14th-century church cloister in Venice. The main wedding ceremony is expected to take place Friday on San Giorgio Maggiore, an island facing St. Mark’s Square, with the event being held in a grand open-air amphitheatre.
According to Italian media, the ceremony will be followed by a special performance from Matteo Bocelli, son of the legendary opera singer Andrea Bocelli.
The festivities will conclude Saturday at The Arsenale, a massive former shipyard that has been transformed into a cultural venue. Security has been tight, with bodyguards and paparazzi navigating the Venetian canals in boats, creating a scene as dramatic as the wedding itself.
Public Reaction and Protests
While the celebration is a boost for local businesses—luxury hotels are fully booked and tourism spending has surged—public sentiment remains divided.
Protesters gathered at St. Mark’s Square chanting “We are the 1%!” and criticizing local authorities for catering to billionaires while the city struggles with over-tourism and rising living costs. Police swiftly dispersed the protest, though public debate continues.
Veneto’s regional president Luca Zaia tried to offset criticism by confirming that Bezos and Sanchez had increased their donation to Venice from €1 million to €3 million (approximately $3.5 million), benefiting local institutions and cultural programs.
Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists have also raised concerns about the event’s carbon footprint, citing the use of private jets, mega yachts, and luxury speedboats. Critics argue the celebration represents “an excessive display of wealth,” especially at a UNESCO heritage site struggling with climate challenges.
“It’s an excessive display of wealth and greed,” said Christine Baker, an American tourist visiting Venice. “I understand why people are upset.”
Venice in the Spotlight
Despite criticism, many locals believe the high-profile event is a win for Venice. An 83-year-old resident, Adriana, told AFP, “Everyone wins,” referring to the boost in tourism and global attention the city is receiving.
As the 2025 Bezos-Sanchez wedding continues to unfold, all eyes remain on Venice—where centuries-old romance meets 21st-century luxury.
