While Venice is often celebrated as one of the world’s most romantic destinations, some locals aren’t feeling the love for one of the city’s upcoming weddings. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez are expected to get married in Venice this week, drawing a guest list of around 200 high-profile attendees—including celebrities and fellow billionaires.
But not everyone is rolling out the red carpet.
Locals Push Back
Earlier this month, Venetian residents staged protests against the high-profile wedding, expressing frustration over how such extravagant events contribute to the city’s ongoing struggles with overtourism and rising living costs. Protesters gathered in public squares and near the iconic Rialto Bridge holding signs like “No space for Bezos,” featuring an illustration of a rocket—an apparent jab at his space company, Blue Origin.
Venice’s historic city center spans just two square miles and is home to about 50,000 residents. Yet, it receives roughly 20 million tourists each year, putting constant pressure on infrastructure and housing.
Event Organizers Respond
In response to the protests, representatives for Bezos and Sánchez directed media to a statement from their wedding planners, Lanza and Baucina, who denied claims that the celebration would disrupt the city.
“Rumors of ‘taking over’ the city are entirely false and diametrically opposed to our goals,” the statement read. “We’ve worked hard to ensure minimal impact on the daily lives of Venetians and visitors.”
Despite concerns from protesters, Venice officials confirmed the wedding will proceed and said the city is prepared to host such an event without major disruption.
Wedding Details Remain Private
The exact date and location of the wedding remain unconfirmed, but sources suggest it could take place at the Misericordia, a historic cultural center. The guest list is expected to include names like Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, and Bill Gates—similar to those who attended the couple’s earlier engagement events and Sánchez’s bachelorette party in Paris.
According to sources close to the couple, about 80% of the wedding’s supplies and services are being sourced from local vendors as a gesture of appreciation to the city.
Rising Tensions Around Overtourism
Despite reassurances, protest organizers say the event symbolizes a larger issue: Venice’s transformation into a luxury playground at the expense of its residents.
Federica Toninello, one of the protest leaders, warned demonstrators during a recent gathering that if the ceremony is held at the Misericordia, activists will attempt to block access.
“We will line the streets with our bodies, block the canals with lifesavers and boats,” she said.
On Monday, as the wedding week began, Greenpeace Italy joined in, unfurling a banner in St. Mark’s Square that read: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”
City’s Balancing Act
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the city welcomes the wedding but remains committed to ensuring it doesn’t interfere with residents’ lives. Officials noted that the scale of the wedding is similar to many other high-end events the city hosts each year.
However, experts say the growing resentment is part of a bigger problem. Venice has already introduced cruise ship limits and a tourist entrance fee in recent years to help ease the burden.
“This is less about one wedding and more about long-simmering tensions over how Venice is treated,” said Alan Fyall, a tourism expert at the University of Central Florida. “The backlash shows how stretched local patience has become.”
As wedding celebrations are expected to unfold across several days this week, protesters say they plan to continue voicing their opposition—sending a clear message that romance and reality are colliding in the City of Canals.
