Jeff Bezos forced to make changes to wedding plans: Venice residents preparing prestests against Amazon founder

Four years after his divorce from MacKenzie Bezos, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos proposed to his girlfriend, Lauren Sánchez. The couple, engaged since 2023, are preparing to tie the knot in Venice, Italy. However, it seems their wedding plans are facing some unexpected turbulence, as a few unforeseen hiccups threaten to disrupt their special day. Chief among them: Bezos’s unpopularity in Venice, where the ceremony is set to take place.

While the exact wedding date hasn’t been made public, those following the planning believe it will take place by the end of the month. According to TMZ, ongoing protests have forced security teams to “adjust plans by the hour.” The tabloid also reported that Bezos’s mega-yacht has become a logistical headache, as its massive size makes docking in the city a challenge. His team is reportedly considering re-docking the enormous vessel elsewhere to avoid it becoming a focal point for protests.

Why are protestors taking place?

Residents of Venice are grappling with the effects of overtourism, and the billionaire’s high-profile wedding has sparked concerns that the city’s mayor has tried to calm. Attendance has reportedly been capped at 200 guests—a number city officials believe is manageable and unlikely to disrupt daily life for locals and tourists.

PEOPLE Magazine reported that Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said his office is coordinating with the wedding planners “to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city.”

Still, that hasn’t stopped large-scale protests from being organized under the banner “No Space for Bezos.” Demonstrations continue, with participation from groups like Greenpeace Italy. Reuters reported that the environmental organization hung a massive banner in St. Mark’s Square reading: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”

Mayor Brugnaro and regional governor Luca Zaia have emphasized that Bezos’s wedding could contribute between $23 million and $34 million to the local economy. But protesters remain unconvinced, arguing that the benefits won’t reach ordinary residents—a sentiment echoed by those advocating for broader restrictions on tourism.

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