VIPs are zooming across the picturesque canals of Venice via speed boats as the three-day wedding celebration of businessman Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez unfolds amid local protests.
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The couple has reportedly extended invitations to around 200 guests for their lavish nuptials, which are set to kick off with an open-air soirée in the scenic cloisters of the 14th-century Madonna dell’Orto Church.
Arriving in Venice just yesterday, Ms. Sánchez, 55, made a striking entrance in a black dress adorned with silver sequins—one of 27 outfits she is expected to wear throughout the festivities.
As local police dispersed protestors, Veneto region President Luca Zaia announced an increase in the couple’s donation to the city from an initial €1 million to a generous €3 million.
Notably present in Venice is U.S. football star Tom Brady.
As guests and their bodyguards traversed the lagoon, paparazzi trailed closely aboard rented boats, capturing every moment of the occasion. Law enforcement, patrolling via jet skis, ensured order around the church as the celebration drew near.
Among the notable guests are Queen Rania of Jordan, British actor Orlando Bloom, Ivanka Trump, and American fashion designer Spencer Antle. Reality TV sensations Kim and Khloe Kardashian were seen elegantly navigating the waterways in stilettos, followed closely by talk show host Oprah Winfrey in a chic all-white ensemble.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61, and Ms. Sánchez, a former news presenter and entertainment reporter, are residing at the Aman Hotel, a luxurious 16th-century palazzo that overlooks the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge.
According to Italian media, the couple will exchange vows tomorrow at a black-tie ceremony on the enchanting island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The nuptials are expected to occur in a grand open-air amphitheater on the island, directly across from St. Mark’s Square.
The newlyweds are set to be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, son of the legendary opera singer Andrea Bocelli, as part of the celebrations.
The festivities will culminate on Saturday with a grand party at the Arsenale, a historic shipyard complex that dates back to when Venice was a formidable naval power.
While some locals believe that hosting A-list celebrities and their entourages can bolster business, like 83-year-old Adriana, who remarked, “Everyone wins,” others are less enthusiastic. Samuel Silvestri, a 55-year-old resident and shopkeeper, expressed concern over the impact of day-trippers, stating, “It’s not the sort of tourism that turns Venice into a little Monte Carlo.”
However, critics have accused Mr. Bezos of transforming the UNESCO World Heritage site into his own personal playground. Environmental activists have raised alarms about the significant carbon footprint associated with the mega yachts and numerous private jets transporting the wealthy to the city.
As 51-year-old tourist Christine Baker noted, “It’s an excessive display of wealth and greed,” she added, “I understand why people are upset.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
