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Venice Prepares for Bezos-Sanchez Nuptials Amidst Speculation and Local Concern
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sanchez are set to wed this week in Venice, Italy, sparking a flurry of speculation about the cost and scale of the multi-day affair. Reports estimate the celebration could cost anywhere from $10 million to $20 million, with approximately 200 guests in attendance. The ceremony itself is rumored to be held on Bezos’s $500 million superyacht, the Koru.
While various Venetian locales, including the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, have been linked to the festivities, the couple’s wedding planners, Lanza & Baucina Limited, have addressed concerns about potential disruptions to the city. They emphasized their commitment to minimizing disruption, respecting local residents, and prioritizing local vendors.
The planners denied reports of a city takeover, stating that transportation arrangements are proportionate to the guest count and that around 80% of the vendors are local. City officials and the wedding planners have assured the public that the impact on Venice will be minimal, citing the city’s experience hosting large-scale events like the G20 summit and the Venice Film Festival.
Despite these reassurances, some local protests have occurred. However, officials confirmed that only a fraction of the city’s water taxis and a few hotels have been reserved for the wedding. Among the local businesses involved are pastry company Rosa Salva and glassware design company Laguna B.
The couple’s choice of Venice as their wedding destination has been public knowledge since March. At the time, the city expressed confidence in its ability to host the event without significant disruption. This follows a previous incident in December where Bezos refuted inaccurate reports of a $600 million Aspen wedding.
Bezos and Sanchez, both previously married, have been engaged for approximately two years. The upcoming nuptials mark a significant personal milestone for Bezos, who founded Amazon nearly 31 years ago and whose net worth is estimated at $223.5 billion, placing him among the world’s wealthiest individuals.