Bezos’ Lavish Venetian Wedding Draws Admiration

Venezia — The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez may go down as the most extravagant event of the year, but in Venice, not everyone was celebrating.

Held over three days in late June, the event transformed the historic city into a glittering stage for the billionaire couple and their A-list guests. From opulent palaces to private canalside parties, the scale of the celebration was staggering. Yet behind the glamour, many Venetians voiced growing discontent.

Locals criticized what they perceived as the near-privatization of the city and lost out ob business as lots of tourists stayed away.

Security measures shut down access to entire areas, and many businesses reported disruptions. Though media reports highlighted a €3 million donation to the city by Bezos, critics quickly pointed out the symbolic nature of the gesture—amounting to roughly 0.01% of the Amazon founder’s estimated net worth. As one resident put it, “It was as if the entire city was at his disposal—for the price of a generous tip.”

Communication around the event was also criticized. With little public information and high levels of secrecy, residents felt excluded from their own city. “There was a clear lack of transparency,” said a Lido-based PR consultant who happened to be working in Venice during the wedding. “It was a global spectacle, but the people of Venice were kept at a distance.”

In stark contrast, the annual regatta hosted by Prince Albert of Monaco took place the same weekend with minimal disruption, raising questions about how cities manage high-profile private events within public spaces.

One of the key figures behind the scenes was Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. She reportedly played a central role in shaping the visual and stylistic narrative of the wedding, personally selecting 27 outfits for Sánchez and securing exclusive rights to all official photos for Vogue. Industry insiders view the move as part of a broader shift in Wintour’s focus—from traditional editorial to global image strategy.

Wintour’s influence ensured the wedding became not just a private affair, but a curated media moment. “She turned it into a living fashion editorial,” one source noted, “with benefits that likely extend far beyond the magazine pages.”