Kathmandu – This week’s much-anticipated wedding celebration of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez in Venice has been relocated to a quieter, less crowded part of the city due to security concerns and fears of protests, sources have revealed.
Initially, the couple had planned to host their post-wedding festivities at a popular nightlife venue in Venice’s Cannaregio district. However, growing concerns about public backlash and potential demonstrations forced a last-minute change in plans.
Some local residents and activist groups had criticized the high-profile event, claiming that such lavish celebrations were turning Venice’s iconic canals and palazzos into a private playground for the ultra-rich. There had been threats of peaceful protests against the event.
The revised venue is the historic 14th-century Arsenale hall, located in the quieter eastern Castello district. Surrounded by water and accessible only via bridge, the Arsenale provides a more secure and secluded setting compared to the original venue, the Scuola Grande della Misericordia in Cannaregio, a former religious institution now used for events.
The exclusive guest list for the celebration reportedly includes around 200–250 VIPs from the worlds of entertainment, politics, and finance.
Jeff Bezos, 61, Executive Chairman of Amazon and currently ranked fourth on Forbes’ billionaire list, proposed to 55-year-old Sanchez in 2023, four years after finalizing his divorce from MacKenzie Scott, ending their 25-year marriage.
Venice has been a popular destination for celebrity weddings in the past. Notably, in 2014, American actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin held their high-profile wedding in the floating city.
As preparations continue, Venice remains under heightened security, with local authorities and private teams working to ensure the event proceeds without disruption.
