Overview
- Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez exchanged vows on June 27 in a private ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore attended by around 200 high-profile guests.
- Venice deployed extensive security measures, including police, military and restricted-access zones around key venues, over fears of protests or potential attacks.
- Activists staged protests throughout the weekend, decrying the environmental impact and perceived ostentation and projecting slogans such as “No Kings, No Bezos” on St. Mark’s Tower.
- The couple asked guests to donate to Venice’s restoration instead of giving gifts and Bezos contributed €3 million to local institutions.
- Regional authorities forecast up to €950 million in economic benefits for Venice from the three-day event, even as critics warn it adds strain to the city’s overburdened tourism infrastructure.