Venice, the city of canals, has become the epicenter of one of 2025’s most talked-about events: the wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, to journalist Lauren Sánchez. The celebration, starting on Thursday, June 26, and lasting until Saturday, June 28, promises three days of lavish festivities, with an estimated cost of up to $56 million. The couple, who arrived in the Italian city on Wednesday, June 25, faces protests from locals criticizing the event’s impact on daily life. The secretive ceremony, attended by about 200 guests, including celebrities and influential figures, takes place in historic venues like the Arsenale and the Madonna dell’Orto church.
Choosing Venice as the backdrop reflects the couple’s taste for iconic destinations but has reignited debates over mass tourism. The event, involving luxury hotels, water taxis, and yachts, underscores the opulence of Bezos, the world’s fourth-richest person according to Forbes, and Sánchez, an award-winning Mexican-American presenter.
Their engagement, announced in May 2023 aboard the $500 million Koru yacht, marked the start of this journey. Since then, the couple has appeared at high-profile events, solidifying their image as a power duo.
- Event details: Three days of festivities across medieval churches and historic complexes.
- Local protests: Residents criticize the privatization of public spaces.
- Economic impact: An estimated $55.69 million boost to the local economy.
Grand arrival
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s arrival in Venice was a spectacle. Photographed stepping into the Aman Venice Hotel on the Grand Canal, the couple radiated elegance. The hotel, with rates ranging from $3,000 to $32,000 per night, is one of five luxury properties partially or fully booked for guests. Other hotels, including Gritti Palace, St. Regis, Belmond Cipriani, and Hotel Danieli, accommodate the 200-person guest list, which reportedly includes Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and possibly Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Bill Gates.
The logistics are staggering: about 30 of Venice’s 280 luxury water taxis are reserved, and nine yachts, excluding the Koru, are anchored for guest transport. Around 90 private jets are expected, generating significant revenue for nearby airports, according to Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region.
Venue change for security
The party, originally set to include the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a Renaissance venue in central Venice, was altered due to protests. The site, located in the bustling Cannaregio district, was replaced by the Arsenale, a 12th-century complex in Castello, surrounded by water and restricted access. The decision reflects concerns over demonstrations, fueled by the “No Space for Bezos” campaign led by local activists.
Protesters, displaying banners at landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, accuse the event of turning Venice into a “playground for the rich.” The shift to the Arsenale, a restored former shipyard, ensures greater seclusion and security for VIP guests.
Relationship timeline
Bezos and Sánchez’s romance began in 2019, after the billionaire’s divorce from MacKenzie Scott, his wife of 25 years. The settlement, costing about $35 billion, was among history’s priciest. Sánchez also separated from Patrick Whitesell, a prominent Hollywood agent, that year.
- 2019: Relationship goes public amid leaked message scandals.
- 2023: Engagement aboard the Koru yacht, with a $2.5 million pink diamond ring.
- 2025: Venice wedding, blending glamour and controversy.
The couple, with seven children from prior marriages, asked guests to donate to causes like Venice’s cultural preservation, via organizations such as Unesco and the International University of Venice, instead of giving gifts.
Protests and local tensions
The “No Space for Bezos” campaign gained traction since March, when Mayor Luigi Brugnaro confirmed Venice as the wedding venue. Activists, backed by groups like No Grandi Navi, criticize overtourism, which draws 20 million visitors annually to a city of just 50,000 residents. Banners reading “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more taxes” were displayed by Greenpeace members.
Locals fear the event’s logistics, including canal closures and heightened security, will disrupt their challenging routines. The group plans further protests on Saturday, June 28, at Santa Lucia train station, vowing to “occupy streets and canals” to voice their discontent.
Despite criticism, local authorities defend the event. Simone Venturini, deputy tourism secretary, noted Venice has hosted more complex events, like international summits and the Film Festival. Mayor Brugnaro praised the city’s selection, saying it reinforces Venice’s status as a “global stage.”
Historic venues as backdrop
The chosen venues reflect Bezos and Sánchez’s desire for a memorable event. The opening on Thursday takes place in the cloisters of Madonna dell’Orto, a medieval church in Cannaregio. The main ceremony is rumored to be on San Giorgio Maggiore Island, facing the Doge’s Palace, while the final party on Saturday occurs at the Arsenale.
Each site carries centuries of history. The Arsenale was the heart of Venice’s naval industry, while Madonna dell’Orto houses Tintoretto’s works. San Giorgio Maggiore, with its Palladio-designed basilica, offers a breathtaking setting for a high-profile wedding.
Glamour and celebrities
The guest list remains a closely guarded secret, but speculation points to major names. Beyond Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, already spotted in Venice, rumors suggest Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, and Mark Zuckerberg may attend. Tech figures like Bill Gates and fashion icons like Diane von Furstenberg add to the event’s eclectic allure.
Sánchez, who built a solid career as a journalist and pilot, has ties to many of these figures. Her bachelorette party in Paris in May included Kris Jenner and Katy Perry, hinting at the couple’s influential circle. Bezos, who stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021 to focus on Blue Origin and philanthropy, remains the company’s executive chairman and largest shareholder.
Local economic boost
Despite criticism, the wedding is set to deliver significant economic benefits. About 80% of supplies, including food and décor, come from Venetian vendors, per CNN. The influx of private jets, water taxis, and luxury hotels will inject millions into the local economy, as estimated by Zaia.
- Booked hotels: Five high-end properties, with rates up to $32,000.
- Transport: 30 water taxis and nine yachts for guests.
- Suppliers: 80% of materials and services sourced locally.
However, the economic upside doesn’t appease residents, who see the city becoming increasingly elitist. The tension between mass tourism and cultural preservation remains central to the debate.
Lauren Sánchez: a multifaceted journey
The bride, Lauren Sánchez, is more than “Bezos’ fiancée.” Born in New Mexico, the 55-year-old Mexican-American began as a reporter on Extra and hosted Fox’s Good Day LA. An award-winning journalist, she’s also a licensed pilot and founder of an aerial content production company.
Sánchez leads initiatives at the Bezos Earth Fund, focused on environmental causes, and advocates for women’s empowerment. Her dyslexia, which she turned into a personal cause, adds to her story of resilience. A mother of three, she maintains a close bond with Bezos’ four children, forming a blended family of seven.
A global spotlight
Bezos and Sánchez’s wedding is more than a personal milestone: it reflects the power, influence, and controversies surrounding the ultra-wealthy. As Venice gears up for three days of festivities, the world watches the canals, where glamour and protests intertwine. The historic venues, star-studded guest list, and impressive logistics ensure the event will be remembered as a 2025 landmark.
