Venice, Italy, is abuzz as billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, former journalist Lauren Sánchez, arrived in the city on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, ahead of their highly anticipated wedding. The couple, known for their high-profile romance, was spotted stepping off a water taxi at the luxurious Aman Venice hotel, waving enthusiastically to onlookers with radiant smiles. Sánchez, dressed in glamorous attire and sunglasses, exuded confidence, while Bezos, sporting a casual yet polished look, appeared equally upbeat.

The arrival marks the start of a three-day wedding extravaganza, expected to cost upwards of $20 million, with a star-studded guest list of nearly 200, including A-listers like Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Oprah Winfrey, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The couple’s entrance follows a foam party on Bezos’ $500 million superyacht, Koru, off Croatia’s coast, setting a festive tone for the celebrations.

However, the event has sparked controversy among Venice locals. Protesters, led by the “No Space for Bezos” group, forced a venue change from the historic Scuola Grande della Misericordia to the Arsenale shipyard complex after threatening to disrupt the canals with inflatable crocodiles. Activists, including Greenpeace Italia, have criticized the wedding as emblematic of overtourism and wealth disparity, unfurling banners in St. Mark’s Square demanding higher taxes for billionaires. Despite the backlash, Bezos and Sánchez donated €1 million to the Corila Consortium for Venice’s preservation, a gesture praised by regional officials as a sign of “love and responsibility.”

The wedding festivities kick off Thursday, June 26, with a welcome party at the Madonna dell’Orto church, followed by a vow exchange on San Giorgio Maggiore island on Friday, and a final celebration at the Arsenale on Saturday. Despite logistical hiccups, including scaffolding at one venue and a no-show nail artist, the couple’s arrival has Venice buzzing with excitement and tension.