(NewsNation) — While Amazon boss Jeff Bezos may be hearing wedding bells at the end of June, the world’s third-richest man might also have to endure protests from Venetians.
Bezos is set to marry Lauren Sanchez later this month at an undisclosed location in the city of Venice, Italy. Protesters in the city have joined the chorus of millions across cities in Europe, pushing back on tourists who they say displace residents and damage their homes.
‘No Space for Bezos’ group protesting Amazon leader’s wedding
The organized group protesting the wedding is called “No Space for Bezos,” and they’re seeking to send a message not only to the tech giant but to the rest of the world.
Protester Federica Toninello told reporters that the group wants to “spark a citywide conversation and to say that people like Bezos — who represent a future we don’t want and a world we don’t want to live in — are not welcome here.”
On Thursday, the group unfurled a large banner from St. Mark’s bell tower, which had Bezos’ name crossed out on it.
While details about the wedding’s location and time aren’t public knowledge, the group feels they’re gaining appropriate intelligence and will be able to protest at the wedding on the day of the ceremony.
Venice, Italy, mayor ‘ashamed’ of protests
While many of Venice’s 50,000 full-time residents have filled the streets of the city, they are not supported by Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro. Brugnaro is rolling out the red carpet for Bezos, calling him “such an important person” and celebrating the nuptials in the city.
“I don’t know if I have time, or if [Bezos] will, to meet and shake hands, but it’s an honor that they chose Venice. Venice once again reveals itself to be a global stage,” Brugnaro reportedly said.
Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez’s wedding: What we know
The actual location of the ceremony is kept private, as is the guest list. However, the list is expected to include musical artist Katy Perry, who joined Sanchez on the Blue Origin space flight in April. NewsNation’s Paula Froelich reported that she’s expected to be joined by Orlando Bloom amid past rumors of a breakup between the two.
FILE – Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif., March 2, 2025. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP File) 
FILE – Jeff Bezos speaks at the Amazon re:MARS convention in Las Vegas, June 6, 2019. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) 
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos attend the opening night of “Sunset BLVD” at St. James Theater on Oct. 20, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) 
Jeff Bezos addresses the Economic Club of New York, at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, October 27, 2016 in New York City. 
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 10: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (R) and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez arrive at the White House for a state dinner on April 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a state dinner for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as part of his official state visit. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) 
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez arrive at the Booksellers area of the White House for the state dinner hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden for Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko Kishida, on April 10, 2024, in Washington. (Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images; and Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press) 
FILE – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is seen on the sidelines before the start of an NFL football game, Sept. 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. After nearly three decades, Bezos is leaving Seattle. In a Instagram post, the Amazon founder announced plans to return to Miami — where he spent his high school years — to be closer to his parents and his partner, Lauren Sánchez. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) 
The side of a building in Van Horn, Texas, is adorned with a mural of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos on Saturday, July 17, 2021, just days before Bezos plans to launch into space from the Blue Origin spaceport about 25 miles outside of the West Texas town. (AP Photo/Sean Murphy) 
VAN HORN, TEXAS – JULY 20: Blue Origin’s New Shepard crew (L-R) Oliver Daemen, Jeff Bezos, Wally Funk, and Mark Bezos pose for a picture near the booster after flying into space in the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket on July 20, 2021 in Van Horn, Texas. Mr. Bezos and the crew were the first human spaceflight for the company. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Other superstars expected to be in attendance include Kris and Kim Kardashian, Gayle King and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Froelich expects the “intimate” wedding to cost up to $11 million.
The festivities, which are set to begin on June 24, are also expected to be a celebration of the city of Venice, with an estimated 80% of the wedding provisions sourced from local Venetian vendors.