A Wedding Fit for a Billionaire: Jeff Bezos Set to Tie the Knot in Venice
Venice objects to Bezos' nuptials
Venice (dpa) - Preparing for a wedding in Venice is no small feat, but it's fair game if you have a fortune estimated around 200 billion euros like Jeff Bezos, the second or third richest man on the planet. The Amazon founder, along with his fiancée Lauren Sánchez, a former journalist, is set to exchange vows in the supposedly most romantic city in the world... and in style.
Rumors suggest that the multi-day celebration could be the most expensive wedding Venice has seen in over 1,500 years, with cost estimates ranging from 15 to 30 million euros. With an expected guest list of 200 VIPs, including Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Ivanka Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and many more, Lady Gaga and Mick Jagger may even join the party.
Keeping it Hush-Hush
Much of the celebration's finer details remain shrouded in secrecy, with Bezos and Sánchez yet to comment on the specifics. It's certain, however, that they'll arrive in Venice aboard the "Koru", Bezos's huge three-master yacht, named after the New Zealand Maori language term for "new beginning." Some speculate that the wedding may even take place on the yacht itself.
Despite wholesale enthusiasm for the event, logistical challenges still loom on the horizon. Despite the yacht's impressive length, over 125 meters, it's not permitted to dock at St. Mark's Square. The "Koru," complete with nine luxurious bedrooms, may need to find a less glamorous location to anchor for the duration of the festivities. Many of the guests will be housed in five-star hotels like the "Gritti Palace" or the "Danieli." Venice's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has dismissed reports of exclusive reservations by Bezos.
A City in Suspense
Navigating the bustling crowds of Venice's peak season, which sees 150,000 tourists every day, poses challenges for transporting the wedding's VIP guests. They'll travel between various event locations, including the beaches on the Lido, the island of San Giorgio, or the old monastery church Chiesa dell'Abbazia della Misericordia in the Cannaregio district, aboard Venice's 30 reserved water taxis. The church, at the intersection of five canals, is the perfect backdrop for a romantic ceremony.
However, the extravagant event has met with mixed responses among locals, who fear the city may find itself in a state of emergency for five days. Protests have already popped up, with the slogan "No Room for Bezos" appearing on posters around town. Critics argue that the city's fragile ecosystem and over-tourism issues will worsen as a result of the wedding.
Controversy and Benefits
Bezos's controversial status contribute to the city's divided opinions. One activist commented, "We don't like an arrogant billionaire who thinks he can buy everything. He should not confuse Venice with Las Vegas." Yet, others see the event as a boon for the city, with businesses like Venice's oldest bakery, Rosa Salva, and famed Murano glassware creators Laguna set to benefit from the influx of visitors.
Venice has previous experience hosting A-list events, with notable weddings in the past featuring celebrity couples like George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in 2014, and footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger and tennis player Ana Ivanovic in 2016. Despite the criticisms, Venice's mayor is poised to defend the upcoming wedding, with the potential for significant financial gain a key argument in favor of the event.
[1] thesun.co.uk/news/17990963/jeff-bezos-marriage-superyacht-koru-las-vegas-luxury/[2] dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9995119/Jeff-Bezos-wedding-Venice-Yacht-Koru-gold-coast.html[3] cnn.com/travel/article/jesus-luz-veloso-venice-wedding-beach-intl-hnk/index.html
- The upcoming wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, estimated to cost between 15 to 30 million euros, could mark the most expensive wedding in Venice's history, drawing celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Leonardo DiCaprio, to name a few.
- While the specifics of the wedding remain secretive, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are expected to arrive in Venice aboard their yacht, the "Koru," and the ceremony may even take place on the yacht itself.
- Despite the event's potential for financial gain, concerns about the city's fragile ecosystem and over-tourism issues have led to heated debates among locals, with protestsSigma already popping up, shouting slogans like "No Room for Bezos."
- Venice has a history of hosting high-profile events, with notable weddings in the past featuring celebrities like George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in 2014.
- The wedding, surrounded by controversies, has sparked discussions about the influence of social media and pop-culture on lifestyle and business, with the event being widely covered on various social media platforms and entertainment news outlets.
