Star-Studded Guests, Including Ivanka Trump, Arrive in Venice for Controversial Jeff Bezos Wedding

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are making headlines with their extravagant wedding in Venice. The couple is expected to celebrate with a three-day event, drawing many high-profile guests. Over 90 private jets are landing in Venice, which some are dubbing the “wedding of the century.”

Early arrivals include Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who are staying at a luxury hotel near St Mark’s Square. Other guests, like Bill Miller, an Amazon investor, have also made their entrance, arriving on impressive yachts.

However, the wedding is stirring up controversy. Activists from the group No Space for Bezos aim to disrupt the festivities by clogging the canals with inflatable crocodiles, highlighting concerns over wealth disparities and tourism in Venice. This isn’t the first time Venice has faced scrutiny for hosting wealthy events. For instance, George and Amal Clooney’s wedding in 2014 was celebrated, while the Bezos affair has faced backlash.

Security is intense, with heightened measures at the airport due to geopolitical tensions. The couple will reportedly exchange vows at the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica, with the reception planned for the Arsenale, a historic shipyard complex. Originally, they intended to host the main event at a 16th-century venue, but shifted due to security concerns.

This wedding could cost between €40 million and €48 million, positioning it as the most high-profile wedding in Venice since the Clooneys. Yet, the local reaction shows a more divided sentiment. Posters around the city depict Bezos and critique his wealth, while banners calling for higher taxes for the ultra-rich have appeared in public spaces.

Amid all of this, Bezos is expected to donate €1 million toward a project studying Venice’s lagoon. This gesture may help to smooth relations with locals, even as the wedding draws attention to the issues surrounding luxury tourism.

In conclusion, while this event showcases wealth and spectacle, it also underlines deeper conversations about social responsibility and the impact of tourism on cultural landmarks.



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