Residents of Venice protest against the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.

In Venice, Italy, an unexpected wave of protests has emerged in response to the impending wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez. As the couple prepares for their nuptials, which are set to take place in late June 2025, local Venetians have expressed their discontent through a series of public demonstrations. Signs emblazoned with messages such as “No space for Bezos” have appeared throughout the historic city, including a notable display on the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore Church.

This backlash appears to connect not only to the couple themselves but also to broader concerns regarding the influx of tourists in Venice, a city already grappling with the impacts of mass tourism on its cultural heritage and daily life. The phrase “No space” is a clever nod to Bezos’s connection with the space exploration industry, particularly via his company Blue Origin, which has sparked considerable public interest, including flights that featured celebrity guests.

Reports indicate that Bezos and Sanchez will celebrate their wedding with a lavish three-day ceremony beginning on June 24, 2025. Anticipated attendees include numerous high-profile figures from various fields, such as singer Katy Perry and television personality Gayle King, alongside notable business and cultural icons like Oprah Winfrey and Kim Kardashian. The couple, engaged since 2022, has attracted media attention not only for their high-profile relationship but also for the scale and opulence of their planned celebrations.

According to local organizers of the protests, the movement is not aimed at criticizing the couple personally but rather stems from widespread frustration over the increasing commodification of Venice and the strain placed on its infrastructure by tourists. As the city prepares to host yet another influx of visitors for a celebrity wedding, residents are voicing concerns about the sustainability of their home and the challenges posed by tourism.

Jeff Bezos’s previous marriage to MacKenzie Scott concluded in 2019, a separation that was compounded by reports of an affair with Sanchez, who was then also married. The divorce was notably significant, costing Bezos an estimated billion in Amazon stock, one of the largest personal separations recorded. Since that time, Scott has engaged in extensive philanthropic efforts, reportedly donating billion to various nonprofit organizations.

As Venice stands on the brink of hosting one of the most talked-about weddings of the year, the juxtaposition of celebrity culture and local identity raises significant questions about the balance between the two.