VENICE, Italy – Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, journalist Lauren Sanchez, have arrived in Venice to kick off what’s being dubbed the “wedding of the century.” The glamorous event is expected to span three days, drawing A-list celebrities, political figures, and financial elites from around the globe — and carrying an estimated price tag of €40–€48 million ($46–$56 million).
The high-profile couple was spotted on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, entering the luxurious Aman Venice Hotel along the Grand Canal. The venue will host many of the event’s exclusive guests, with around 90 private jets expected to land in the area for the star-studded celebrations.
A Weekend of Opulence in the Floating City
The wedding festivities are scheduled to begin on Thursday night with an open-air welcome event in the cloisters of the Madonna dell’Orto, a historic church nestled in the vibrant Cannaregio district. A second party is planned for Friday on the private island of San Giorgio, located just across from Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Square.
The final and main celebration will be held Saturday at the Arsenale, a former medieval shipyard turned contemporary art venue in the Castello district. With its secluded, water-locked setting, the Arsenale offers a level of privacy and security ideal for such a high-profile affair.
Residents Protest as Venice Turns Into a VIP Playground
Despite the glamour, Bezos and Sanchez’s wedding has drawn criticism from Venetian locals, many of whom have voiced frustration over what they see as the city’s increasing commercialization. Activists argue that Venice is being turned into a playground for the ultra-wealthy, restricting public access and displacing longtime residents.
“There’s only one thing that rules now: money, money, money. So we are the losers,” said resident Nadia Rigo. “We who were born here either move to the mainland or ask permission to board a ferry. They’ve become the masters.”
In anticipation of public backlash, Venice City Hall issued special directives to cordon off event areas, effectively shielding guests from protesters. Outside the Aman Hotel, workers installed canopies and privacy screens to block the view from photographers and curious onlookers.
Bezos and Sanchez Offer Generous Donation to Venice Institutions
In response to criticism, the couple made a €3 million donation to three local institutions: CORILA (a research consortium focused on the lagoon’s ecosystem), UNESCO’s Venice office, and the Venice International University. The gesture was praised by Luca Zaia, governor of the Veneto region.
“Welcome to Venice, Jeff,” Zaia said, thanking the couple for their “gesture of extraordinary generosity.”
Mystery Remains Over Official Wedding Ceremony
While the celebrations are set in motion, the actual date and location of the wedding ceremony remain unconfirmed. Some sources speculate that Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, may have already tied the knot privately in the United States before arriving in Italy.
Their choice of Venice adds them to a growing list of celebrity couples who’ve opted for the romantic city as a wedding backdrop — including George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin, who wed there in 2014.
