• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez tied the knot in Venice, attended by around 200 celebrities.
• The wedding drew significant protests highlighting issues of overtourism and inequality.
• Local activists criticized the event as an example of exploitation and environmental degradation.
• Bezos donated €1 million to three Venetian environmental organizations amidst backlash.
• The wedding cost is estimated between $46 million and $56 million.

Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez celebrated their extravagant wedding on June 27, 2025, on the island of San Giorgio in Venice, drawing around 200 high-profile guests including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ivanka Trump. The affair, estimated to cost between $46 million and $56 million, represents one of the most lavish events in recent times, but it has also sparked significant backlash from local residents and activists, who protested against what they see as the exploitation of Venice by the wealthy elite, according to Business Insider and HuffPost.

Protests erupted throughout the city during the wedding festivities, with hundreds of demonstrators marching under slogans such as "Kisses Yes, Bezos No" and "No Space for Bezos." Activists cited concerns over overtourism, rising rents, and climate change, stating that the opulence of the wedding starkly contrasts with the economic struggles faced by many Venetians. The protests culminated in a final demonstration on Saturday, the last day of celebrations, as residents voiced their frustrations about how outsiders are transforming their city into a playground for the ultra-wealthy, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Amidst mounting criticism, Bezos and Sanchez donated approximately €1 million each to three local environmental research organizations, an act that many activists dismissed as insufficient, labelling it "greenwashing." Protesters argue that the donations do not adequately address the deeper issues of inequality and environmental degradation caused by such high-profile events in Venice. Activists noted that while the wedding generated significant media coverage and local economic benefits, they emphasized the long-term social and environmental costs associated with mass tourism, as highlighted by BBC and Newsweek.

The city administration, on the other hand, defended the wedding as a continuation of Venice's tradition of hosting significant global events, asserting that such high-profile weddings help bolster local tourism. Officials expressed hope that the wedding would enhance Venice's image and attract more affluent visitors in the future, viewing the event as a form of "high-quality tourism," according to India Times and Channel News Asia.