Jeff Bezos wedding in Venice plans took a sharp turn after local protests pressured the billionaire to change venues. The originally lavish reception, which had been scheduled in the heart of Venice, was moved just days before the ceremony due to public backlash and logistical concerns.
The multi-day celebration kicked off with a closed-door gathering at Madonna dell’Orto church. By Friday evening, guests had shifted to San Giorgio Maggiore island for the formal ceremony. However, it was the reception, initially set for Scuola Grande della Misericordia, that caused the biggest stir.
Organisers rerouted the event to the Arsenale, a historic shipyard surrounded by water and guarded walls. Security was ramped up, with police patrolling the area and managing the perimeter. The new venue offered a more controlled environment, making it harder for demonstrators to get close.
One activist group, calling themselves “No Space for Bezos”, had planned to use inflatable crocodiles and small boats to block access to the original venue. They cited environmental concerns, unchecked carbon emissions from private jets, and the symbolic takeover of public space by the ultra-rich.
By the time the reception started, reports confirmed the new location. Italian news outlets linked the venue change directly to activist pressure and security risks. The event remained private, with no major disruptions reported on site.
Roughly 200 guests were invited. Sightings included Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Ivanka Trump, Tom Brady, and Queen Rania of Jordan. An estimated 90 private jets reportedly landed in the area for the occasion. Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, arrived by water taxi, accompanied by several guests.
The celebration was estimated to cost around 48 million euros. Despite the extravagance, guests were told not to bring gifts. In their place, Bezos and Sánchez pledged donations to causes based in Venice, including local habitat restoration and the Venice branch of UNESCO.
City officials denied that the wedding overwhelmed services. Venice tourism councillor Simone Venturini defended the event, calling it an example of Venice’s continued global importance. He dismissed the protesters as outliers and stressed that the wedding used local suppliers and services.
Not all were convinced. Protesters and climate activists claimed that Venice is being turned into a playground for the wealthy. Greenpeace UK issued a statement demanding higher taxes on billionaires and linked the celebration to broader concerns about climate justice and inequality.
While critics pointed to elite privilege and over-tourism, some local business owners welcomed the boost. Antonio Rosa Salva, whose family owns one of the city’s most historic pastry shops, confirmed that his company catered desserts for the wedding.
“I don’t think an event with 200 guests can really disrupt the city,” he told reporters. “It’s an honor that they chose Venice when they could have gone anywhere.”
Legal questions also surfaced. Reuters reported that the ceremony had no legal status in Italy and that the couple likely had a civil wedding in the United States beforehand. No official registration was confirmed by Italian authorities.
Bezos, who holds an estimated net worth of 231 billion dollars, has faced criticism over labor conditions at Amazon and the environmental impact of his businesses. Sánchez, a former broadcaster and licensed helicopter pilot, has taken an increasingly public role in the couple’s philanthropic and media endeavors. She recently made headlines for leading a Blue Origin spaceflight composed entirely of women.
Despite the political tensions, the celebration ended on a high note. Lady Gaga and Elton John performed privately, with grand pianos brought to the Arsenale by boat for the occasion. Sources close to the couple said Sánchez handpicked the performers herself.
As the boats cleared and the guests departed, one thing became clear: no matter the headlines, Venice remains a stage where the world watches.
