(Image source from: Instagram.com/laurensanchezbezos)
Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, and Lauren Sanchez exchanged vows on Friday in a lavish ceremony attended by numerous celebrities on an island in the Venetian lagoon, away from the reach of demonstrators. "This city feels surreal! It seems impossible, yet here it is!" an awe-inspired Bezos remarked to a journalist from La Repubblica while navigating the canals in a boat the previous day. However, protestors voiced their concerns, questioning the sustainability of Venice as they pointed out that amid the celebrations of the wealthy, the delicate city is grappling with excessive tourism and a decline in residents, who are being pushed out by escalating rents. A neon green sign projected onto the St Mark's Campanile on Thursday night read, "No Kings, No Bezos." Later that evening, Sanchez, now using the Instagram handle laurensanchezbezos, shared an image showcasing herself in a flowing white gown and Bezos in formal black attire, although the location of the photo remained undisclosed.
Bezos and Sanchez, both prominent figures—she having a background as a news anchor and entertainment reporter—celebrated their wedding with high-profile attendees such as Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Orlando Bloom. The duo, ages 61 and 55 respectively, has opted to stay at the Aman, a luxurious palazzo from the 16th century overlooking the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Other notable guests have chosen accommodations at the Gritti Palace and the St. Regis.
According to reports from Italian media, the couple’s black-tie ceremony was held on San Giorgio Maggiore island on Friday afternoon. It is believed that the wedding took place in a spacious open-air amphitheater on the island, located directly across from the famed St Mark's Square in Venice. The newlyweds were treated to a performance by Matteo Bocelli, son of the renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli. The wedding dinner was curated by Michelin-starred chef Fabrizio Mellino, while French pastry chef Cedric Grolet crafted the cake, as per the Corriere della Sera. It is reported that Sanchez prepared 27 different outfits to don throughout the celebrations.
Among the guests photographed by paparazzi boarding boats were Queen Rania of Jordan, luxury goods executive Francois-Henri Pinault, NFL star Tom Brady, American fashion designer Spencer Antle, singer Usher, and Ivanka Trump, the daughter of former US President Donald Trump, accompanied by her spouse Jared Kushner. The guests reportedly enjoyed lunch on Thursday in the gardens of Villa Baslini, situated on the islet of San Giovanni Evangelista. The festivities are expected to conclude on Saturday with a party at the Arsenale, an expansive historic shipyard that dates back to Venice's maritime glory. Additionally, Bezos and Sanchez are reportedly donating three million euros (approximately $3.5 million) to the city and collaborating with local artisans steeped in Venetian history.
Rosa Salva, the oldest pastry shop in Venice, is preparing traditional 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" to include in party bags, which will also feature items from Laguna B, famous for its exquisite handblown glass from Murano. On Wednesday, the owner reported that Trump and her family took a tour of a glass-blowing workshop located on the small island of Murano. Massimiliano Schiavon shared with Corriere della Sera that the family was enchanted by the enchanting world of glass and even had the chance to try their hand at the craft.
Venice, celebrated for being home to the oldest film festival globally, has become accustomed to celebrities arriving by speedboats and notably hosted the glamorous wedding of Hollywood star George Clooney in 2014. Analysts suggest that this wedding could be economically beneficial as Italy's tourism ministry announced on Friday that it anticipates the event to inject nearly one billion euros into the city, with approximately 895 million euros expected from the "media visibility" it generates. However, some critics have raised concerns, pointing out that Jeff Bezos, one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet and the founder of a company often criticized for its treatment of employees, stands apart from others.
Protesters displayed signs along the canals that stated, "Tax Billionaires." They also conveyed messages in both English and Italian, saying, "In the time it takes you to read this, Jeff Bezos's wealth has grown by more than your monthly income." Environmental advocates have highlighted the significant carbon emissions associated with the luxurious yachts and the arrival of numerous private jets—at least 95—carrying the affluent to the city. Despite this, Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old vendor, expressed his support for the lavish event, stating, "Over-tourism is driven by those backpackers who bring their own snacks and make little contribution, not by those who turn Venice into a smaller version of Monte Carlo. This wedding enhances the city's image." Additionally, Italy's health ministry has issued a red alert for extreme heat in Venice over the weekend, as a heatwave impacts a significant portion of southern Europe.
