Jeff Bezos is set to say “I do” to Lauren Sanchez in a glamorous ceremony in Venice, Italy this weekend — but the road to the altar hasn’t been without drama.
The billionaire Amazon founder and his fiancée have kicked off what’s believed to be a five-day wedding celebration, with the big day reportedly happening tomorrow, June 28. Despite the festivities already underway, the couple had to make last-minute changes after their original wedding venue was met with loud opposition from protestors.
“No space for Bezos”
Local activists, identifying themselves as the group “No Space for Bezos,” have been protesting the wedding, citing concerns over overtourism in Venice. The city, already grappling with its fragile infrastructure and rising tourist traffic, has become a symbolic battleground for those opposed to billionaires holding extravagant events in vulnerable historic locations.
The backlash was enough to force Bezos and Sanchez to switch venues — though their luxurious European celebration is still in full swing, with high-profile guests continuing to arrive.
A star-studded Affair (with one notable absence)
The guest list is as glittery as expected. Celebs like Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, and Leonardo DiCaprio have all reportedly made their way to Venice. But one big name won’t be there: President Donald Trump.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Jeff Bezos has been making efforts to get closer to former President Donald Trump — possibly eyeing the unofficial role of Trump’s new tech-world confidant, a position once seemingly held by Elon Musk.
The 61-year-old billionaire has reportedly had two phone conversations with Trump in recent weeks. According to The Telegraph, Trump was also invited to the wedding but declined due to “scheduling conflicts.”
The White House confirmed the snub, though several members of the Trump family will still be in attendance, including Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr.
Back in 2019, Donald Trump took a public swipe at Jeff Bezos, mocking him as “Jeff Bozo” in a jab aimed at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns.
Despite its reputation as a left-leaning publication, The Washington Post notably chose not to endorse Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election—marking a break from its longstanding tradition of backing Democratic candidates.
Sparked a design roast
As the wedding buzz picked up, the couple’s invitation was leaked online — and it’s not what you’d expect from a billionaire. Instead of sparking awe, the design quickly became a meme.
The wording, however, struck a charitable tone:
“We are excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts.
Instead, we’re making contributions in your honor and with gratitude to you for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice.
Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city’s irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice’s future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions.
This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these efforts and by joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come.”
But while many praised the message, the invite’s aesthetics got roasted.
“This invite was proudly sponsored by Microsoft Paint and zero adult supervision,” one user quipped online.
“Money can’t buy taste. That invite was made on the canva app in the 11 minute trip to ‘space’,” joked another.
Despite the trolling, Bezos and Sanchez seem undeterred. With Venice as their backdrop, A-listers arriving by the hour, and celebrations already in motion, the couple is determined to make their big day unforgettable — haters, protests, and bad font choices be damned.
