What began as a star-studded celebration in Venice has turned into a showdown between one of the most powerful couples and a historic city. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, who are tying the knot this week in Venice, were forced to alter their wedding reception plans after a series of protests and security concerns.
The wedding itself will still go forward, with Bezos and Sánchez expected to exchange vows at the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore on Friday. But their reception, originally taking place for the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a Renaissance landmark in the city center, has changed.
It has now been relocated to Arsenale, a former shipyard complex. The venue change followed a growing protest movement led by the activist group 'No Space for Bezos,' which claimed victory after threatening to block the canals with inflatable crocodiles to prevent access to the original reception site.
The group’s message was amplified by dramatic visuals across the city, including Bezos’s face on rocket posters, a nod to his Blue Origin space venture. The posters took over the Rialto Bridge and a 400-square-meter Greenpeace tarp in St. Mark’s Square.
Security fears also played a major role in the change, as guests like Ivanka Trump are already in Venice. Organizers and local officials reportedly considered the city center venue too exposed amid the political climate.
The Arsenale offers easier control, making it more secure. A team of former U.S. Marines has reportedly been hired for the weekend. Adding to the logistical challenges, Bezos’s 413-foot yacht Koru and its shadow vessel Abeona are now anchored off the coast of Croatia.
Rather than sailing into San Basilio as originally planned, Bezos and Sánchez are expected to helicopter into the city, although Venice has few helipads and San Giorgio has none. The couple may land on the nearby Lido and arrive at the island via water taxi.
The wedding festivities are set to start on Wednesday with guest arrivals and may include a Thursday pre-party, the Friday ceremony, and a Saturday night celebration.
Guest lists remain under wraps, but names like Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Barry Diller, Diane von Fürstenberg, and Leonardo DiCaprio have all been rumored.