Rebranding the Event: “No House for Bezos” vs. “Welcome, Mr. Amazon!”

The recent three-day wedding celebration being hosted in the enchanting city of Venice by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sánchez has sparked a whirlwind of media attention across the globe. While the event is drawing in a frenzy of paparazzi, it is also igniting intense political debates within Italy. The juxtaposition of extravagant wealth and local concerns about overtourism has made this wedding a focal point for discussions on the impact of wealthy elites on historical cities.

On Saturday, the wedding, which took place on Friday under strict security measures on the picturesque island of San Giorgio, was celebrated in the iconic Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. This architectural masterpiece, designed by the renowned 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio, welcomed a star-studded guest list including Leonardo DiCaprio, Vittoria Ceretti, Orlando Bloom, the Kardashians, Mick Jagger, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Ivanka Trump with Jared Kushner. The Italian press showcased the opulence of the nuptials, highlighting how such events shape public perception of wealth and privilege.

“The lagoon provided the stunning backdrop, while the American billionaire brought the star-studded cast,” remarked the left-leaning newspaper La Repubblica in a critical editorial. This editorial emphasized the historical importance of the venue, referencing the famous painting by Paolo Veronese, “The Wedding Feast at Cana,” which hangs in the Louvre. The piece pointed out that the marriage serves as a modern reflection of soft power dynamics, stating, “It’s the same old story: get married in public to announce who’s in control.”

In contrast, the centrist publication Corriere della Sera featured a colorful account of the event, including an interview with Luigi Brugnaro, the Mayor of Venice. Titled “I’m proud they’re here, I hope they come back,” Brugnaro defended the security measures in place, which included a private security force reportedly composed of ex-marines hired by Bezos to ensure the waterways remained secure. He argued, “How can one criticize the use of security forces when just days ago we were on the brink of a global conflict, and now we have the daughter of the President of the United States in town?”

To sum up the grandeur of the Bezos-Sánchez wedding, Corriere della Sera highlighted the statistics: “200 invited guests, 3 days of celebrations, and 27 outfit changes for Lauren Sánchez.” These figures illustrate not only the scale of the event but also the extravagant lifestyle that accompanies such high-profile weddings.

The “No House for Bezos” activists argue that the lagoon city is transforming into a private playground for the wealthy, undermining the interests of local residents amid a backdrop of excessive overtourism. They claimed a partial victory when they threatened to fill the canals with inflatable crocodiles to protest the wedding. Originally, the grand celebration was slated to take place at the luxurious 16th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia, but it was moved to the historic Arsenale shipyards, which are located further from the city center.

Conversely, in a report published on Saturday, the daily newspaper Il Messaggero, known for its right-leaning stance, highlighted findings from Italy’s Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanché. This report noted that Venice experienced a 6.7% decrease in overnight stays during the early months of 2025. Furthermore, it suggested that the Bezos-Sánchez wedding could yield an “economic impact” on Venice amounting to €957 million (approximately $1.1 billion), representing nearly 68% of Venice’s yearly tourism revenue.

In a more lighthearted vein, Corriere della Sera dedicated an article to the security arrangements surrounding the wedding festivities. In addition to the private ex-marines reportedly hired by Bezos, over 100 Italian anti-riot paramilitary police were deployed, along with a bomb-sniffing Labrador retriever named Elvis. This level of security highlights the magnitude and importance of the event, reflecting the intersection of celebrity culture and public safety.