Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez Plan Three-Day Wedding Amid Venice Protests

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to marry in a highly anticipated, star-studded wedding in Venice, Italy, spanning three days from June 24 to 26, 2025, with an estimated guest list of under 200 including celebrities and prominent figures. The event will feature lavish details such as custom Venetian glassware gifts for guests, Bezos’ $500 million superyacht anchored at San Giorgio Maggiore island, which will be closed to visitors during the festivities, and the reservation of historic venues like the Scuola Grande della Misericordia. While the wedding is expected to bring significant economic benefits to local businesses, including gondola and motorboat operators, it has sparked protests from Venice residents concerned about over-tourism, public service strain, and the city being turned into a spectacle. Protesters have organized campaigns such as “No space for Bezos,” expressing fears that the billionaire is treating Venice as a private party venue, while city officials argue the event will boost the local economy and continue Venice’s tradition of hosting glamorous celebrations. Sanchez, who has publicly expressed excitement about the wedding, shares her journey from correspondent to author and bride, emphasizing that life begins anew even at 55. The city administration has assured the public that the event will be managed without major disruption, despite the tensions between economic opportunity and preservation concerns.