As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez prepare for their extravagant wedding celebration in Venice, not all eyes are on the guest list or the billion-dollar yacht parties. Instead, a wave of local anger is making headlines as protesters voice frustration over what they see as the continued “privatisation” and “exploitation” of one of Europe’s most iconic cities.
While Italian officials have yet to confirm all details of the celebration, local media report that the wedding will stretch over three days, beginning Tuesday, June 24. Rumors suggest the wedding party will take over the entire island of San Giorgio Maggiore, with festivities spilling over onto Bezos’s $500 million superyacht, which is expected to dock nearby.
A-list guests reportedly include Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, Ivanka Trump, and Mick Jagger—an impressive lineup for an event that’s as secretive as it is star-studded.
Protesters Push Back: “Venice is Not for Sale”
But not everyone is impressed. A group of local activists under the banner No Space for Bezos has launched protests against the wedding, accusing the Amazon founder of treating Venice like his own “private ballroom.”
“This is not about the marriage,” said activist Alice Bazzoli. “It’s about how billionaires like Bezos are allowed to block off public areas, displace locals, and use our city as a backdrop for luxury events, as if residents don’t exist.”
On June 12, the group staged a bold protest by unfurling a massive anti-Bezos banner from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica. They are also planning a peaceful demonstration for June 28, where they intend to block canals to prevent guests from reaching the wedding party.
“We want to symbolically reclaim our city,” said another activist, Federica Toninelli. “Venice is already overwhelmed by mass tourism and economic inequality. Events like this deepen the divide.”
A City Struggling With Overtourism
Venice has long been a poster child for the consequences of overtourism. With a population of fewer than 50,000 in the historic centre and over 4.9 million annual tourist arrivals in 2023, the pressure on the city’s infrastructure and housing market has been immense.
Locals argue that mega-events like Bezos’s wedding may bring a brief economic boost but fail to offer sustainable benefits. “It’s going to bring money, yes—but we will never see it,” Toninelli said. “Instead, we’ll see more blocked streets, fewer affordable homes, and jobs that pay barely enough to live.”
The city recently introduced a controversial €5 fee for day visitors and placed caps on tourist group sizes, measures designed to manage the crush of visitors and protect the fragile urban environment. Still, many argue that more needs to be done to preserve Venice as a living city rather than a playground for the ultra-rich.
Official Response: “Venice Is a Global Stage”
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro dismissed the protests as opportunistic. “Those 20 people putting up posters are clearly capitalising on Bezos’s image,” he told local press. “Venice has always hosted world-class events without disrupting everyday life. This is no different.”
The city released a statement saying only 200 guests are expected and that public transportation and services will operate as usual. They also noted that Venice has successfully hosted events like the G20, Biennale, and George and Amal Clooney’s 2014 wedding without major issues.
Wider Frustrations Across Europe
Venice is not alone in its struggle with tourism saturation. Recent months have seen similar anti-tourism protests in Barcelona, Palma, and the Canary Islands, where locals claim tourists drive up housing costs and push residents out of city centres. In Barcelona, demonstrators even sprayed tourists with water guns as a symbolic act of defiance.
For Venetians, the Bezos wedding has become a flashpoint in a broader debate: Who is the city really for? Is it a home, or a luxury film set for billionaires and influencers?
As protest banners ripple in the wind and luxury yachts glide through the canals, two very different visions of Venice are on full display. One is exclusive, glamorous, and closed off. The other is crying out to be heard.