Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have kicked off their wedding week in extravagant fashion — but the celebration is unfolding against a backdrop of rising tension in one of Europe’s most historic cities.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez have kicked off their wedding celebrations in dramatic fashion. The couple hosted a foam-filled party aboard the Amazon founder’s $500 million superyacht, Koru.
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The event, held Sunday, marks the start of a weeklong series of festivities ahead of their highly anticipated June 27 wedding in Venice. The couple, accompanied by close friends and guests, appeared unfazed by the controversy brewing around them.
As anti-capitalist protestors threaten to “block the canals” in protest of the high-profile wedding, Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, chose to begin their celebration on a playful note.
They donned swimsuits and danced amid soap suds under the Mediterranean sun. Photos from the party captured the pair fully immersed in the moment, their swimwear barely visible beneath the thick foam.
The yacht’s sprawling decks served as the venue for the unconventional kickoff, which set a relaxed yet extravagant tone for the days ahead. Online reactions to the party were mixed. Some people expressed support, with one noting, “They stay having fun and that’s a healthy thing to see with couples.” Another added, “Happy for them.”
Others were less impressed. “This is honestly one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen,” one critic wrote. “Do they understand the world is having few problems right now!!” A second person added, “Ewww, this is super weird and freak offish.” Someone else wrote, “Strange BUTTON ———->”
As their guests begin to arrive in Venice, the couple’s celebration is already drawing headlines. The foam party served as both a pre-wedding bash and a casual send-off, more than two years after Bezos proposed on the same yacht while it was docked near the Cannes Film Festival.
Though the day was filled with festivities and guests, the couple shared several quiet moments together. Photos showed them embracing in the foam pit, smiling and relaxed despite the looming spotlight on their high-profile union.
Sánchez wore an ombre black and red string bikini, while Bezos opted for blue and black swim trunks. Both wore hats and sunglasses to shield themselves from the sun, staying mindful under the afternoon heat.
A “Happy Birthday” banner hung from the yacht, sparking reports that part of the celebration was for Sánchez’s son Evan, who turned 19. The scene on board was a mix of lively energy and sun-soaked leisure. Younger guests were seen leaping from the yacht’s deck into the Adriatic Sea.
They utilized paddleboards and were ferried to and from shore by smaller boats. Others stayed aboard, lounging on daybeds positioned along the top deck, taking in the coastal views.
As the party continued, the festivities were interrupted when a police boat briefly approached the vessel. However, it quickly departed without incident, allowing the party to resume uninterrupted.
Bezos and Sánchez appeared undisturbed by the brief encounter, continuing to enjoy their European getaway. Their multimillion-dollar wedding is expected to span an entire week. The celebrations, estimated to cost between $15 million and $20 million, have already begun to stir local backlash.
Leading up to their arrival, anti-capitalist feelings are growing in the city. Protest signs that say “No space for Bezos” and “Veniceland: A playground fit for an oligarch” have been placed all over the historic center.
Activists have announced plans to disrupt the high-profile nuptials. They aim to block streets and canals to hinder the movements of the roughly 200 expected guests.
Federica Toninello, a protest organizer, told The New York Times that the group has informants leaking event details. She claimed they have identified Misericordia, a 13th-century building frequently used for upscale events, as a key venue.
“Bezos will never get to the Misericordia,” she declared, vowing to line the streets and block access to the canals with lifebuoys, dinghies, and boats. The protests reflect growing frustration among Venetians over soaring housing costs and the strain of mass tourism.
With the Bezos-Sánchez wedding landing squarely during the city’s peak travel season, hotel rooms are nearly full. Daily crowds have surged, further amplifying concerns over Venice’s future as a livable city.
In response to growing backlash, Bezos and Sánchez’s wedding planners have pushed back against criticism. The company has asserted that the couple has taken steps to minimize their impact on Venice.
Lanza & Baucina Limited, the firm behind the high-profile wedding, issued a statement emphasizing their efforts to be respectful of the city and its residents.
“From the outset,” the company said, “instructions from our client and our own guiding principles were abundantly clear: the minimizing of any disruption to the city, the respect for its residents and institutions and the overwhelming employment of locals in the crafting of the events.”
They added that long before protest plans became public, measures were already in place to reduce inconvenience to both locals and tourists. In addition to careful planning, the couple has reportedly donated to several Venice-based charities. The gesture was intended to show goodwill and appreciation for the host city.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro expressed his public support for the event. He told reporters that he regarded the wedding as a source of pride.
However, he mentioned that he was unsure whether he or others would have the opportunity to meet and shake hands with the couple. Still, he emphasized that it was an honor for Venice to be chosen as the location.
The wedding, set to span three formal events, will unfold across various venues between June 26 and June 28. A private cloister on the Lido, possibly Chiostro della Madonna dell’Orto, is believed to be the site of a pre-wedding gala. Another event is set to take place in a historic church on June 28.
An estimated 200 guests are expected to attend. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and members of the Trump family are among those rumored to be on the list.
Lady Gaga and Elton John are set to perform, with sources noting the two artists were happy to combine their talents for the occasion. To accommodate the influx of guests, around 60 of Venice’s water taxis have been reserved. A number of the city’s iconic gondolas have also been taken out of general circulation.
As preparations intensify, the city continues to brace for one of the most high-profile and controversial celebrations of the season.
