Jeff Bezos, 61, Amazon founder and one of the richest people alive, just threw what might be the year’s most extravagant wedding. Over three days in late June 2025, he and Lauren Sanchez turned Venice into a celebrity-packed, high-security party zone.

From floating black-tie dinners to custom Italian lace, the spectacle was huge. But while they toasted on yachts, Venice simmered. And not just from the summer heat.

However, locals didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet. Many were furious. Protesters hit the streets, slamming the event as a perfect symbol of a city sold to the highest bidder. “No Space for Bezos” became the rallying cry. Activists lit up historic buildings with messages like “Tax Billionaires,” making sure the party’s glitz didn’t drown out their frustration.

Just Jared / IG / Bezos chose Venice for its beauty, history, and, frankly, privacy. The wedding’s main ceremony took place on San Giorgio Maggiore, a quiet island that kept paparazzi and protestors at bay.

About 200 guests flew in, most on private jets. Some arrived by mega-yacht. The guest list read like a who’s who of the ultra-rich: Oprah, Bill Gates, the Kardashians.

Lauren Sanchez, 55, wore a jaw-dropping lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana, inspired by old Hollywood glam. She changed outfits more than once, slipping into crystal-covered cocktail dresses and classic screen siren looks.

The events stretched across some of Venice’s most elite spots: Gritti Palace, the Aman Hotel, the St. Regis, and finally the Arsenale, a former shipyard turned party palace.

The $50Million+ Lavish Wedding

The sheer scale of the wedding wasn’t just about luxury. It raised serious questions. Greenpeace slammed the event’s carbon footprint. Over 95 private jets flew in. Giant yachts docked just off the shore. For a city already threatened by rising sea levels, it felt like a slap in the face.

Locals didn’t just worry about emissions. They complained about being pushed out. Many say Venice is turning into a theme park for the wealthy. Rents are climbing. Tourism is overwhelming. A billion-dollar wedding might look good in global media. But to residents, it felt like a final straw.

Vogue Weddings / IG / To smooth things over, Bezos and Sanchez donated about $3 million to the city. They also hired local artists, like Murano glassblowers and Rosa Salva pastry chefs, to help with wedding favors.

That helped a bit. Some saw it as a sign of respect, while others called it a Band-Aid over a much deeper wound.

City officials backed the wedding, with the mayor saying it boosted Venice’s global profile and pumped money into the local economy. The tourism ministry claimed media coverage alone was worth $1 billion in exposure. But many Venetians were not impressed. They said the money was not worth the disruption.

Sure! Bezos may have had his dream wedding, but it came at a cost. Guests complained about the heat and the hectic schedule. Logistics in Venice are not easy, especially when hopping from boat to boat in black-tie clothes. Even the wealthy seemed worn out by the end of it.

Still, the couple got what they wanted: a wedding that no one will forget. For better or worse, Venice was the stage. It was beautiful, chaotic, glamorous, and controversial. In other words, it was everything the Bezos brand has come to represent.