In the days leading up to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding, a group of protesters gathered on Venice’s iconic Rialto Bridge. They held a banner that read “No space for Bezos,” chanting their opposition to the billionaire’s high-profile celebration.
While official details of the wedding remain under wraps, The New York Times reports the couple is expected to host a three-day event from June 24 to 26 with hundreds of guests. Protesters fear the lavish affair will contribute to overtourism in a city already overwhelmed by millions of annual visitors.
Protesters speak out
The Times reported that one protester spoke of plans to block the path to the wedding.
“We will line the streets with our bodies, block the canals with lifesavers, dinghies and our boats,” organizer Frederica Toninello said to a round of applause.
According to Reuters, Toninello said, “It is clear that today, let’s say, they kept expressing their surprise that there are people saying no to this wedding, saying that we should be ashamed. We want to send a very clear message: the ones who should be ashamed are them. They are the people who have destroyed this city.”
Luxury takeover of the city
According to local media outlets, five-star hotels have been reserved for Bezos’ guests, along with fleets of water taxis and space along the canal for his world-largest 417-foot yacht. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro reportedly responded to the criticism by saying, “We will have to apologize to Jeff Bezos, and I hope he comes again.”
A separate local outlet suggested the influx of wedding guests could bring in revenue. However, protesters question whether that money will benefit ordinary Venetians.
Venice’s overtourism crisis
Venice’s tourist season typically runs from June through August. That’s when warm weather draws millions of people to the historic city. NBC News reports the main island is only two square miles in size, with a population of about 50,000, but sees around 20 million visitors annually.
The influx of tourists has triggered a series of restrictions. The Guardian notes that loudspeakers have been banned and limits placed on tour group sizes. In 2023, UNESCO added Venice to its list of endangered world heritage sites due to environmental strain and cultural erosion.
To curb foot traffic, Venice implemented a tourism fee in 2024, which now applies to 54 days between April and July 2025. According to London-based The Times, visitors not staying overnight must pay 5 euros and 10 euros (just over $10 USD) if they book within four days of arrival. The policy was only enforced for 30 days last year.
Tourism protests beyond Venice
The protest comes just days after similar demonstrations in Barcelona and Lisbon. Residents there are also challenging the impact of mass tourism.
“We cannot live in this city. The rents are super high because of BnBs and also the expats who come and live here for the weather,” one protester in Barcelona tells BBC.
Wedding-related tourism is also stirring controversy elsewhere. In Egypt, Bilt Rewards CEO Ankur Jain married former WWE wrestler Erika Hammond last April with a four-day event at the pyramids. Guests were granted private access to tombs and the Sphinx.
While those events generate income and visibility, heritage experts and the Egyptian public voiced concern. They fear exclusive events may jeopardize cultural preservation. Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities recently suspended a separate pyramid reconstruction project following public backlash.
Bezos’ wedding protest plans
Roughly 200 people joined last weekend’s protest in Venice. Organizers are now urging more residents to take to the streets during the days of Bezos’ wedding celebration.
Their goal: to disrupt what some have called a “ten-million-dollar wedding.”
Zachary Hill (Video Editor)
contributed to this report.
