Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s $10 million wedding in Venice has provoked fierce backlash from residents, who accuse the billionaire couple of exploiting the city’s fragile ecosystem and local infrastructure for a three-day spectacle.
At a Glance
- Bezos and Sánchez will host a June 24–26 wedding on San Giorgio Maggiore with about 200 guests
- Protesters launched a “No space for Bezos” campaign across Venice, hanging banners and vowing to block access
- Organizers say up to 300 locals may line canals and streets to disrupt the wedding
- Supporters highlight that 80% of event goods come from Venetian vendors
- Critics warn the wedding exacerbates overtourism and civic disruption
Local Outrage Boils Over
Venetians have responded to the high-profile nuptials with street-level defiance. Protesters unfurled banners reading “No space for Bezos” from churches and balconies, decrying the privatization of Venice’s historic core. Activists told reporters they’re prepared to “block canals and line the streets with our bodies.”
The event coincides with Venice’s peak tourism season and is expected to strain local transportation and services. Critics argue the celebration symbolizes how wealthy elites treat the city as a playground while residents face displacement and cultural erosion.
Watch a report: Venice Prepares for Bezos Wedding — and Protest
Celebration or Exploitation?
Bezos’s defenders say the wedding will spotlight local culture, with up to 80% of goods and services sourced from Venetian vendors. These include artisanal Murano glass, historic confectioners like Rosa Salva, and traditional gondolier musicians. Supporters argue that such exposure benefits small businesses often overlooked by mass tourism.
However, the involvement of helicopters, VIP-only routes, and high-security measures has fueled accusations of elitism and cultural insensitivity.
Venice at a Crossroads
Opposition leader Giovanni Andrea Martini called on Bezos to contribute to preservation efforts, urging him to “help restore Venice” rather than disrupt it. Residents point to a pattern: events like George Clooney’s 2014 wedding also drew criticism for privatizing public spaces and amplifying overtourism.
With only 55,000 residents and over 30 million tourists annually, Venice’s identity is under pressure. The Bezos wedding has become a lightning rod for long-simmering frustrations—an opulent milestone in the battle between global glamour and civic dignity.
