(NewsNation) — Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are getting married this week in Venice, Italy, as the couple deals with guest lists and protests from Venetian citizens.
Since the couple got engaged in May 2023, they have dominated headlines as people speculated about a potential wedding date and location, the guest list and more.
Here’s what we know about the star-studded wedding.
When and where is Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez’s wedding?
The wedding celebration will take place sometime this week in Venice. But, other than that, it’s hard to say exactly when and where the wedding will be.
Some outlets have said that they will be married on San Giorgio Maggiore, which is a private island. But a spokesperson for Luigi Brugnaro, who is the mayor of Venice, told CNN that it will be on Bezos’ yacht, known as the Koru.
However, the Daily Mail reported Monday that one of the venues for the celebration had to be moved due to protests and the United States’ involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. Local media outlets claimed that a party was scheduled to be held at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia on Saturday, but it had to be moved to a different venue in the Arsenale area.
The local outlet also said that “the winds of war and rising global tensions between the US and Iran” were being taken into consideration, since there is an American airbase 50 miles away. It is said that local authorities and security teams will meet Tuesday to discuss the wedding.
Why are people protesting Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez’s wedding?
A large group called “No Space For Bezos” has been protesting the couple’s wedding because they feel it will only make the overtourism problem worse. Protestors believe that this overtourism is negatively affecting the infrastructure in the city.
They also believe Venice is being exploited by the ultra-rich with this wedding, with many guests reportedly flying in on private jets and creating a significant carbon footprint. There are banners and stickers across the city, with protestors even threatening to block canal and street access.
In a statement, one of the lead organizers and activists for “No Space For Bezos,” Oliviero Cassarà, said that he doesn’t have an issue with Americans being wed in Venice. However, “Bezos supported Trump economically and politically and is consequently co-responsible for this drift against us, Italian and European citizens.”
Federica Toninello, a fellow protester, said 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.”
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro doesn’t support the protests, calling Bezos “such an important person” and celebrating the wedding in the city. He reportedly said, “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.”
Who is attending Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez’s wedding?
It isn’t entirely clear who will be attending the celebrity couple’s wedding. However, it has been reported that Venice officials have limited the guest list to 200 people.
NewsNation’s Paula Froelich reported in March that some of the guests could include Katy Perry and her husband, Orlando Bloom, along with Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner. Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Jessica Alba could also be among the celebrities in attendance.
TMZ reported that Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Beyonce and Jay-Z could also be in attendance.
How much did Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez spend on the wedding?
It is unclear how much their wedding cost, but Froelich reported that it must be around $9.5 to $11 million. She believes that the wedding planner alone cost $2 million, with her Oscar de la Renta couture dress costing $250,000.
Hair, makeup, flowers, food and drinks also would’ve cost at least $875,000. Her photographer ($500,000), flying in their family and service people ($300,000) and the cost of various day trips and outings ($500,000) would make up most of the rest of the costs.
The only things left are the engagement ring (worth around $5 million) and the jewelry for the wedding, most likely costing anywhere from $5 to $10 million.