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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Begin Luxurious Wedding Celebrations in Venice
As the grand wedding festivities of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former news anchor Lauren Sanchez kicked off in Venice on Thursday, a stream of VIPs zoomed through the canals on speedboats, while demonstrators voiced their concerns in St. Mark’s Square.
Among the notable attendees captured by the cameras were reality TV stars Kim and Khloe Kardashian, who navigated the waters in high heels, along with talk show legend Oprah Winfrey, stylishly dressed in an all-white ensemble paired with practical sneakers.
Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, have extended invitations to approximately 200 guests for their opulent wedding, which is rumored to kick off with an outdoor celebration in the courtyards of the historic 14th-century Madonna dell’Orto church.
Sanchez, who made her arrival with Bezos the previous day, turned heads in a striking black dress adorned with silver sequins—reportedly just one of 27 outfits she plans to wear throughout the festivities.
In the midst of the celebrations, protestors shouted “We are the 1%!” in St. Mark’s Square, criticizing the local government for catering to the wealthy while the city struggles with the pressures of mass tourism. With police intervening to disperse the crowd, Veneto’s Regional President Luca Zaia revealed that Bezos and Sanchez have increased their donation to the city from one million euros to three million euros (approximately $1.7 to $3.5 million).
As guests and their security details zipped across the lagoon, they were closely trailed by paparazzi in boats that rented at steep prices. Among the high-profile attendees spotted were NFL star Tom Brady, Ivanka Trump, and fashion designer Spencer Antle.
Celebrating Love Amidst Controversy
Bezos and Sanchez are residing at the Aman hotel, a luxurious 16th-century palazzo boasting views of the Grand Canal and the iconic Rialto Bridge. The couple is set to exchange vows on Friday during a black-tie ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore Island, as per reports from Italian media.
The wedding is anticipated to take place in an expansive open-air amphitheater overlooking St. Mark’s Square. Following the ceremony, the couple will be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, the son of renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli.
The celebrations are expected to conclude on Saturday with a grand reception at the historic Arsenale, a vast shipyard that dates back to the city’s time as a maritime power.
While some locals express that the presence of A-list guests is beneficial for business, others have voiced concerns about billionaires like Bezos treating the UNESCO-designated site as a personal playground. Environmental advocates have pointed out the considerable carbon footprints left by the luxury yachts and private jets transporting the elite to Venice.
As one American tourist, Christine Baker, noted, “It feels like an extravagant display of wealth. I completely understand why some people are upset.”
Despite the mixed sentiments surrounding the event, local resident Adriana, 83, believes that “everyone wins” from such high-profile celebrations, which have full bookings at the city’s renowned luxury hotels and may inspire more couples to tie the knot in Venice.
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