The upcoming wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez in Venice has been relocated to a more secure site due to concerns over potential protests and security risks.
Initially planned for Cannaregio, a vibrant nightlife district, the post-wedding celebration for approximately 200-250 VIP guests from entertainment, politics, and finance will now take place at a hall in the Arsenale, a historic 14th-century shipyard complex in the eastern Castello district.
Srounded by water and inaccessible by land when bridges are raised, the Arsenale offers enhanced security compared to the originally chosen Scuola Grande della Misericordia.
For weeks, local residents and activist groups, including the "No Space for Bezos" campaign, have voiced concerns that the high-profile event could disrupt Venice, transforming the iconic city into a playground for the elite.
Fears of peaceful blockades and canal protests prompted the venue change.
The group, led by Tommaso Cacciari, celebrated the relocation as a victory, with plans for further demonstrations on Saturday to challenge the event’s impact on the city.
Meanwhile, Veneto region president Luca Zaia announced that Bezos and Sanchez are donating €1 million ($1.16 million) to the Corila Consortium, a research group focused on preserving Venice’s lagoon, signaling a commitment to the city’s welfare.
The wedding, expected between Thursday and Saturday, remains shrouded in secrecy, with details like the exact date and guest list closely guarded.
Organized by elite event planners Lanza and Baucina, the celebration follows in the footsteps of other celebrity weddings in Venice, such as George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s 2014 nuptials.
Local establishments, like the historic Harry’s Bar, are abuzz with anticipation, hoping to host some of the A-list attendees.
Despite rumors, the event planners emphasize minimizing disruption to Venice, a city already strained by overtourism, while protesters continue to rally against the perceived privatization of their cherished lagoon city.