The extravagant wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and television presenter Lauren Sanchez concluded on Saturday evening in Venice with a grand gala. While the festivities were in full swing, not everyone in the city was in a celebratory mood. As celebrity guests prepared to board water taxis from their upscale accommodations, a group of Venetians and activists gathered to protest the high-profile event.
These protesters voiced a range of concerns. Some were residents frustrated by the consequences of mass tourism in their fragile city, while others were activists raising alarms about capitalism and climate change. On Saturday, hundreds took to the streets, displaying a large banner from the iconic Rialto Bridge that read “no space for Bezos” and igniting colorful flares. Although they initially planned to disrupt the event by jumping into canals with inflatable crocodiles and blocking the passage of wedding attendees, those plans were eventually scrapped.
Despite the demonstrations, Bezos remained unbothered. When spotted entering the renowned Harry’s Bar for lunch, he blew kisses at the cameras in response to a local journalist’s question about the protests.
City officials downplayed the protests. Venice’s deputy mayor described the demonstrators as “narcissists” and emphasized that events like the Bezos-Sanchez wedding represent the kind of upscale tourism the city wants to attract. Simone Venturini, who serves as the city’s economic development councillor, expressed optimism that this high-profile wedding would inspire more couples to choose Venice for their nuptials. “We are not Iran. The city cannot say who can or who cannot get married. We have no moral police going around,” he told the BBC while standing along the Grand Canal, where gondolas floated by filled with tourists.
Although the activists didn’t succeed in halting the ceremony, they claimed one small victory. For security reasons, the final evening’s event was relocated from a more central location to the Arsenale, a venue that’s easier to secure.
Some Venetians and climate activists say the real issue goes beyond just one lavish wedding. “I think the main problem is that Venice is becoming like an amusement park,” said Paola, a member of the Extinction Rebellion group. She took particular offense at the arrival of many wedding guests by private jet. “Of course, mass tourism is eating the city alive, but the fact that billionaires can come here and use the city as their amusement park is an enormous problem.”
The Italian press enthusiastically covered what they dubbed the “wedding of the year.” The city was abuzz with sightings of A-list celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian. Reports mentioned elaborate feasts featuring local delicacies such as cod prepared in the regional style. Photographs of Sanchez in her white lace Dolce & Gabbana gown, reportedly inspired by a 1950s Sophia Loren look, filled media outlets.
Contrary to some early concerns, the wedding didn’t paralyze the city. Celebrities like Ivanka Trump and Bill Gates were seen exploring art galleries, and Bezos and Sanchez were photographed at multiple scenic locations. Yet the chances of a tourist running into a real celebrity were slim. Most were more likely to meet a Bezos impersonator who had traveled from Germany just to pose for photos.
Transportation and tourism in the city remained mostly unaffected. Water taxis and gondolas were still available for hire, and there were no large groups of frustrated tourists unable to enjoy Venice’s charms. Some streets were temporarily closed near key wedding events, but overall disruption was minimal. Most of the “No Space for Bezos” signs had been torn down, and the few bits of remaining graffiti were being quickly removed. Attempts to project protest slogans onto buildings were swiftly halted by local police. Even the protest march planned for Saturday night had received official approval.
Still, many locals are deeply concerned about the increasing commercialization of their hometown. In Venice, fears that the city is becoming a playground for tourists at the expense of residents are well-founded. At the city’s main railway station, authorities now randomly check visitors for mandatory day passes—a new measure intended to reduce crowding.
A few minutes away, in a picturesque square, longtime resident Roberto Zanon shared his painful story. At 77, he’s being evicted from the home he’s lived in his entire life. His landlord sold the property to out-of-town developers, and he’s finding it impossible to secure a new place in Venice. “One, two, three doors – those are locals, but the rest is all for tourism now,” he said, pointing to the neighboring buildings. “There are fewer and fewer Venetians here,” he added, visibly heartbroken. “There is no purpose any more. You lose your friends. You lose piece of your heart. But sadly this situation is unstoppable.”
Yet Roberto doesn’t blame Bezos for choosing Venice as a wedding destination. Having worked in tourism himself, he described it as “an honour” to have such prominent guests in the city. “I find it positive,” he said.
Other Venetians shared similar views. In a souvenir shop selling magnets and t-shirts, a local woman named Leda welcomed the arrival of Bezos and his guests. She bluntly remarked, “I think there should be more people like Bezos here. Right now we get trash tourism and Venice doesn’t deserve that.” Leda explained that she once owned a shop selling high-quality Italian goods, but had to close it due to dwindling demand. “It’s low-cost, hit-and-run tourism,” she said. “People take 20 euro flights, come here and don’t spend a thing. That’s not what Venice needs.”
As the grand wedding comes to a close, what will remain behind in Venice? Deputy Mayor Venturini confirmed that Bezos donated approximately three million euros to organizations dedicated to preserving the city’s delicate infrastructure. While that gesture was welcomed by some, others viewed it as insignificant in the broader context of Bezos’s wealth. “It’s around three euros for a normal person, if you put in proportion to Bezos’s wealth,” argued Lorenzo, another member of Extinction Rebellion. “It’s a very low amount of money.”
In the end, the Bezos-Sanchez wedding highlighted the ongoing divide in Venice: between those who see high-end tourism as a lifeline for the local economy and those who believe it accelerates the city’s cultural and demographic decline. While the wedding brought global attention, luxury, and donations, it also reignited long-standing debates over who Venice truly belongs to—and who gets to shape its future.