The lavish wedding between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez is scheduled for June 26-28 in Venice, Italy. For months, however, protests against the event have taken place in the city, intensifying in recent days with the “No Space for Bezos” campaign—which refers to his aerospace investments—over the social and environmental impacts of the wedding, which will occupy much of the historic lagoon center that’s already under pressure from high tourist flow.
What We Know About the Event
The three-day celebration promises unprecedented pomp, situated among historic buildings, luxury yachts, and international VIPs. Three major events are already scheduled: the exclusive gala evening on June 26 at the Lido of Venice, the exchange of vows the following day in the Teatro Verde on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, and the grand finale on June 28 that will take place in the 16th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia.
The guest list for the Bezos-Sanchez weddings includes Microsoft founder Bill Gates, TV host Oprah Winfrey, and actors including Leonardo DiCaprio, Barbra Streisand, Eva Longoria, Orlando Bloom, and Robert Pattinson.
Exclusive private parties are also planned at secret locations in the smaller islands of the lagoon, including Burano, Giudecca, and Sacca Sessola. It is an event that will surely leave its mark on Venice, including in terms of environmental impact and the possible inconvenience it could create for the city’s transit infrastructure.
80 Jets and Over 30 Private Water Taxis
The guests will arrive on 80 private jets and travel aboard more than 30 already reserved water taxis, yachts, and gondolas.
According to some official sources, flights from New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Dubai are planned. Not to mention the luxury yachts coming to Venice, with moorings already planned between the Maritime Station, Punta della Dogana, San Basilio, and Riva degli Schiavoni.
Among these is Bezos’ own vessel, Koru, the 417-foot-long superyacht that cost $500 million, along with its 246-foot support vessel Abeona, equipped with a helicopter deck and dedicated staff, although there is still no confirmation that it will enter the lagoon.
The only yacht already docked as of Tuesday is the M’Brace of legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, who arrived with his wife. Between 30 and 50 water taxis have been reserved full-time for all three days of the event, each of which will cost the bride and groom up to €400 an hour.
For or Against
The grand celebrations have divided public opinion. According to some, the enormous expenses for the organization of Bezos’ wedding could have a positive impact on the territory, going to finance hotels, transportation, catering, and exclusive locations. The Washington Post, owned by Bezos, has declared that about 80 percent of products and services come from local Venetian suppliers.
But at what cost? The other side of the coin includes a collective of activists and residents who started the No Space for Bezos campaign months ago, denouncing the spectacularization of the city at the expense of residents. The protesters are drawing up several plans to block roads and waterways. Among the reasons for the protest is the environmental impact that the mass mobilization of so many vehicles may have on the lagoon city, which has been battling overcrowding caused by tourists.
The City of Venice has given reassurances, however, that the marriage between Bezos and Sanchez will not cause “any disruption for the city, its residents, or tourists.” Over the years, in fact, Venice has successfully handled international events even more impactful than this one, such as the G20 Economy, the G7 Justice, bilateral state meetings, and the Art, Architecture, and Cinema Biennials. The organizers, the municipality then specifies, “have not booked an excessive number of gondolas or water taxis, as read in the newspapers, as the interest is to ensure that the city functions normally, for everyone, without any disturbance to anyone.”
This story originally appeared on WIRED Italy and has been translated from Italian.
