Overview

• Bezos and Sánchez concluded their three-day nuptials on San Giorgio Maggiore after hosting about 200 VIP guests and incurring an estimated $50 million in gourmet and logistical expenses.
• Shortly after the ceremony, Lauren Sánchez updated her Instagram handle to “Lauren Sánchez Bezos,” cleared her feed and unveiled an oval-cut diamond wedding ring valued at $4 million.
• Venice residents and environmental groups staged banners and canal demonstrations during the weekend to protest the city’s overtourism and call for greater tax contributions from the ultra-wealthy.
• A wave of celebrity criticism followed, with figures such as Charlize Theron, Rosie O’Donnell and Katie Couric publicly condemning the extravagance as insensitive to social and cultural strains.
• Debate over luxury events in heritage destinations continues as cultural stewards and civic leaders press for accountability measures to protect Venice’s historic fabric.