The wealthy and famous are set to converge on Venice, Italy for a three-day wedding extravaganza. Billionaire Jeff Bezos is marrying former TV journalist Lauren Sánchez in June, with hundreds of guests expected to attend. However, not everyone is thrilled about the nuptials.
In 2014, George Clooney’s wedding brought the city to a standstill, but Venetians have largely welcomed it as an opportunity to showcase their hometown’s beauty and romance. This time, however, there are concerns about overtourism, which has intensified in Venice since the Clooneys’ big day.
“We’re exasperated by a whole series of problems related to overtourism,” said tour guide Francesca. “We don’t know what kind of behavior to expect from this lot.” The couple’s wedding planner has booked five luxury hotels and reserved nearly all of the city’s water taxis, sparking worries about congestion and strain on local resources.
Despite concerns, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has hailed the event as an economic boon for the city. “The event will have economic repercussions worth millions of euros,” he said. However, some residents are less optimistic, citing past experiences with celebrity weddings.
“We’re used to hosting big events, but it’s not always a positive experience,” said tour guide Giusi Giudice. “We bend over backwards for the rich guy coming in.” A group of young Venetians, Venezia Non è Disneyland, has taken to social media to express their concerns about overtourism and the impact on local residents.
The wedding is expected to take place at a private location, possibly the Doge’s Palace. With guests including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Donald Trump, expectations are high for an extravagant celebration.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/a-great-big-nuisance-venetians-divided-over-plans-to-host-jeff-bezos-wedding