Jeff Bezos’ Wedding Faces Chaos in Venice as Locals Plan to Shut It Down
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are set to marry in Venice from June 26 to 28, 2025, but their lavish three-day celebration is facing pushback from local activists.
The high-profile event, expected to draw stars like Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, Oprah Winfrey, and members of the Kardashian family, has ignited tensions in the historic city.
A group of Venetian activists, rallying under the “No Space for Bezos” campaign—a nod to Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture—is leading the opposition. Over the weekend, they displayed a large banner on St. Mark’s Tower with Bezos’ name crossed out in red.
Posters and stickers protesting the wedding have also appeared across the city. The group argues that such events prioritize wealthy outsiders, sidelining local residents. One activist, Federica Toninelli, told Reuters, “This wedding is the symbol of the exploitation of the city by outsiders.”
The activists are threatening to disrupt the wedding by blocking canals and streets to prevent guests from reaching the venues. Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has expressed support for the couple, hoping the event proceeds smoothly.
“We will have to apologize to Bezos,” he said. “I am ashamed of those who behave like this. I hope that Bezos comes anyway. Not all Venetians think like these protesters.”
The wedding, if it goes ahead, could rival the 2014 marriage of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in Venice, which drew global attention but no protests. Neither Bezos nor Sánchez has addressed the controversy publicly.
The clash over Bezos and Sánchez’s wedding highlights a real tension in Venice, balancing tourism and celebrity events with the needs of locals. While the couple’s celebration could boost the city’s economy, the activists’ concerns about Venice becoming a “playground for the rich” are valid.
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— Thomas MORE (@ThomaMore) June 18, 2025
Venice activists gear up to protest against Jeff Bezos’s wedding, stating, "No Space for Bezos."
➔ The campaign plans to occupy streets and canals.
➔ They aim to highlight the city's overtourism issues. #Venice #JeffBezos #Protest #Overtourism #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/SaBrwkfdZF
‼️⚡️ "Venecia no está en venta":
— *HUNTER*✝️🪖 (@Bel31278Andres) June 16, 2025
La boda de Bezos y Sánchez provoca protestas.
La próxima boda del dueño de Amazon, Jeff Bezos, y su prometida, Lauren Sánchez, en Venecia ha desatado protestas en la ciudad italiana de los canales antes del lujoso evento.
'No Space For Bezos' pic.twitter.com/HA3kRRQvXb
🇮🇹 В Венеции протестуют против свадьбы Безоса.
— Travel News (@x_travelnews) June 16, 2025
На улицах — постеры с его лицом и лозунг No Space for Bezos.
Свадьба за €10 млн, 200 гостей, включая Иванку Трамп и Ди Каприо.
А местным — пробки, перекрытия и ощущение, что их город снова сдают в аренду.#Венеция #Venice #Bezos pic.twitter.com/Njrdb5KNfK
It’s a tough situation with no easy answers. What do you think about the protests? Should high-profile weddings like this be toned down in historic cities, or are they a fair part of Venice’s global appeal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
