Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding is scheduled to take place this year, in Venice. While the couple is excited to celebrate their union, planning an extravagant wedding with some of the richest people in attendance, local residents aren't all that happy with their decision to host the wedding in the Italian city, setting up protests against the government over the last week. According to a new report, Sanchez and Bezos are planning on highlighting Venice traditions during their celebration.
AP News reports that Sanchez and Bezos will be sourcing 80 percent of their wedding provisions from Venetian vendors, hoping to leave a positive impact through their weekend-long celebration.
Rosa Salva and Laguna B, two Venetian companies, will also provide the ceremony with different artisanal touches. These companies are known for their biscuits and hand-blown glass decorations. “Events like this bring quality tourism to Venice,’’ said Rosa Salva.
“I don’t see how an event with 200 people can create disruptions. It’s responsible tourism. It’s prestigious that a couple like this, who can go anywhere in the world, are getting married in the city.”
Why are Venetians protesting?
Over the past month, various protests have popped up across Venice, with some residents complaining about Bezos and Sanchez's decision to marry in their city. Over the past years, Venice has struggled with a tourism problem, which makes the daily life of residents challenging, especially during the summer.
On Friday, protesters hung a banner on St. Mark's bell tower, showing Bezos' name crossed out.
City officials claimed that the city will function normally, with the city sharing some stats, including the fact that only 30 water taxis out of the city's 280 have been reserved for the wedding and that only three or four hotels would be used by Bezos and Sanchez's guests.
“We are very proud,’’ said Mayor Luigi Brugnaro to the AP Press. “I don’t know if I will have time, or if he 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.’’