Will Bezos Get His Italian Wedding? A Three-Day Superyacht Spectacle in Venice
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are set to wed in Venice this week, turning the city into the ultimate stage for ultra-luxury celebration. At the heart of the festivities is Koru, Bezos’s $500 million, 417-foot superyacht—the second-largest sailing yacht in the world—anchored near the private island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Over the course of three days, the couple is hosting a series of intimate yet grand events aboard Koru and in restored Venetian landmarks, all orchestrated by London’s elite planners, Lanza & Baucina.
The Superyacht Celebrations
The week’s lineup reportedly includes a rehearsal dinner, a themed pajama party, cocktail soirees, and the main ceremony—each rivaling the lavishness of a gala. Extra vessels—60 water taxis and host of gondolas—are ferrying 200 A‑list guests, including Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Bill Gates. Magnetic festivities such as poolside receptions, exclusive performances (rumored acts include Elton John or Lady Gaga), and couture hospitality ensure that every moment is Instagram-worthy.
Koru itself is a statement of opulence: sweeping teak decks, Jacuzzis, nine staterooms, bespoke dining rooms and lounges, all crewed by dozens of staff. Its support vessel, Abeona, complete with helipad and capacity for the entourage, brings total maritime power to match Bezos’s scale. Local VIPs have noted that booking hotels like the Gritti Palace and Palazzo Pisani Gritti has pushed hospitality rates sky-high for the week—but luxury travelers expect nothing less.
Money, Prestige, and Local Boost
Estimates for the wedding cost range from €10–30 million ($11–33 million) according to Business Insider. Officials suggest the weeklong event could pump €20–30 million into the local economy—supporting gondoliers, high-end caterers, artisan glassmakers, and the famed Rosa Salva pastry house. Despite tensions, planners emphasize their commitment to local hiring and minimal disruption.
Cities on Edge: Protests and Tensions
But not all Venetians are cheering. Activist group “No Space for Bezos” plastered banners across iconic sites—Rialto Bridge, San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower, St Mark’s Square—with messages denouncing the commodification of public space. Greenpeace joined, demanding Bezos “pay more tax” given his ability to “rent Venice”. Some protesters threatened peaceful canal blockades of inflatable boats and insecting disruptions if routes are obstructed .
Officials insist most Venetians support the ceremony, noting the city regularly accommodates international events and asserting that only 200 guests are expected, limiting traffic pressure. They point to charitable gestures from Bezos’s side—at least €1 million to lagoon preservation non-profit Corila, and contributions to local universities and Venice’s UNESCO office.
Luxury Lesson: The New Frontier of High-End Events
This wedding marks a turning point in ultra-luxury gatherings—blending superyachts, private islands, celebrity guests, and A-list performances. The question is how cities like Venice, famed for elegance yet fragile, balance tourism’s financial upside against civic life disruption. For event planners and luxury brands, Bezos’s week-long ceremony signals that privacy, scale, and exclusivity are now the premium tier—and cities must prepare for both the windfall and the backlash.
