Bezos and Sanchez to wed in Venice amid luxury, celebrity guests, and environmental protests. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/AFP)
Venice, Italy (EPICSTORIAN) — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former news anchor Lauren Sanchez are expected to tie the knot on Friday in a lavish black-tie ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore, a private island in the Venice lagoon, according to Reuters.
The couple, aged 61 and 55 respectively, kicked off a three-day wedding celebration on Thursday, welcoming guests including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Orlando Bloom to the Italian city.
Bezos Sanchez Wedding Brings Glamour and Scrutiny to Venice
While Venice is no stranger to celebrity events—George Clooney famously wed there in 2014—the arrival of Bezos, one of the world’s richest men, has drawn heightened attention.
Critics say the festivities symbolize how historic cities are being overtaken by elite influence, sparking protests from environmental groups and residents.
Demonstrators accused local authorities of favoring the ultra-wealthy while neglecting Venice’s cultural and ecological fragility.
Placards seen at a protest read: “City drowns under tourists” and “Stop pandering to the super rich.”
Environmentalists Protest Bezos Wedding Over Venice Tourism Strain
Environmentalists claim the Bezos-Sanchez event highlights growing frustrations over unchecked tourism and commercialization.
Critics argue that such large-scale private events disrupt Venice’s fragile ecosystem and exacerbate overtourism in a city already under UNESCO monitoring.
Despite the criticism, the wedding continues as planned with heavy security and curated luxury. Guests reportedly arrived on the island via private boats, adding to Venice’s reputation as a magnet for elite celebrations.
Venice Wedding Highlights Global Celebrity Culture and Local Concerns
Bezos’s presence has reignited debate about whether Venice is losing its identity amid its role as a celebrity playground. The city, which hosts the Venice Film Festival, has long welcomed global elites, but residents argue the line has been crossed when civic space is closed off for private events.
The wedding also draws attention to Bezos’s business empire. As founder of Amazon, a company frequently scrutinized for labor practices, critics say the opulence of the event contrasts with ongoing concerns over workplace treatment and economic inequality.
Bezos Wedding Adds Momentum to Celebrity Weddings 2025 Trend
This high-profile union is one of the most prominent in the early lineup of celebrity weddings 2025. Social media has been flooded with paparazzi shots, leaked guest lists, and both admiration and backlash.
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While the ceremony remains largely private, public interest continues to surge—underscoring the influence of celebrity culture in global media and its impact on local communities hosting these events.
