Luxury Wedding in Venice's Sizzling Scene
Venice imposes lockdown amidst engagement celebration for Bezos - Venice faces an emergency situation amidst the Bezos-Jawort scenario
Venice is cooking up something extraordinary: In this city saturated with tourists, a high-profile wedding is brewing under the blazing sun. On Friday, Jeff Bezos, American billionaire and founder of Amazon, and Lauren Sánchez, former TV host, will maaaaarry! They're tying the knot again, and between 'em they've got seven kids from prior relationships.
The ritzy soiree, inviting around 200 VIP guests from the entertainment biz and the corporate world, has already kicked off. Given concerns about demonstrations or, ya know, a potential attack, everything's secured tighter than a clinical-strength clamp.
Close-off notices are up for most event hotspots across the Italian City of Canals. Off limits around Madonna dell'Orto monastery church, scene of the first grand party Friday night, are boats, y'hear? No gondolas nor other watercraft allowed. Later, the surrounding streets'll be pedestrian-free too. only the wedding party and staff get to bop through.
Luxury Nuptials Amidst a Mob of Tourists
At 61, Bezos and his bride-to-be, age 55, are chilling at the swanky "Aman" hotel on the Grand Canal, with their palatial suite commanding a jaw-dropping view of the waterways and setting them back a cool 16k a night. A tent and tarp setup serves as a makeshift barricade, yet boats laden with wide-eyed tourists keep rolling by, like rubberneckers at a car wreck. With a tourist count climbing to over 100,000 during peak hours and temperatures snickering past 100°F (38°C), sweat has become the city's newest souvenir.
Bezos and Sánchez have been spotted only occasionally, but when they've appeared, they've waved and flashed million-dollar smiles at the shutterbugs and onlookers. A slew of high-profile guests have joined the party so far, like Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Kris Jenner, and Kim and Khloé Kardashian.
Bocelli's Rising Son Likely to Serenade
Gossip mills report star-studded guests like Barbra Streisand, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Elton John making an appearance. Representin' big biz, Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Eric Schmidt (Google) are rumored to swing by, while Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger, and Matteo Bocelli (son of the famous blind tenor) are alleged to perform. But the happy couple hasn't officially confirmed these whispers.
The wedding vows are set to be sworn on Friday on the island of San Giorgio, directly opposite St. Mark's Square. The monastery's gardens have been sealed off for days, ensuring only Bezos and Sánchez and their guests can access the venue by water taxi. They've reportedly reserved over 30 boats for the transportation.
Back in May, the buzz about Bezos booking the entire taxi fleet caused an uproar in Venice. The city zapped that rumor faster than a mosquito on hot days.
Rampart defense across Venice
Security concerns over attacks linked to the Middle East war and some planned protests have necessitated a beefed-up presence of police, military, and even snipers on building rooftops. The airspace is sans drones, ye olde romantic serenades from the skies.
The wedding expenses are pegged at least $10 million, but it's likely to be a heck of a lot more. Given his fortune of around $220 billion, that's nothing but pocket change for Bezos, the mastermind behind the world's largest online retailer, Amazon CEO, space company Blue Origin owner, and proprietor of the "Washington Post".
Million-dollar grins for Venice
Word's out that Bezos has gifted an extra €2 million to various Venice institutions, adding to a previously reported €1 million donation. And just as thoughtful, he and Sánchez requested their guests to pass on gifts and instead contribute to Venice's restoration. The city's not just a pretty face but has its battles against mass tourism.
Various groups planning to demonstrate under the banner "No Space for Bezos" accused Mayor Luigi Brugnaro of peddling their town to the highest bidder, so watch out for posters and protests galore.
On Thursday, scuffles broke out between protesters and the security force on St. Mark's Square. The anti-Bezos protesters intend to dampen his celebration with inflatable plastic crocs in the canals.
According to "La Repubblica," plastic crocs and rare squid were on the menu at a gala dinner attended by Bezos and Sánchez on Wednesday evening at a costly waterfront restaurant. The dinner was hosted by fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg and welcomed 50 more guests. A kilo of the rare Venetian squid sells nowadays for a cool €260 (260 euros).
Private jets have touched down at Marco Polo Airport at an hourly rate, with an estimated 100 special flights by Friday. Besides, there are several multi-million-dollar yachts already docked in front of Venice's iconic backdrop. Bezos has kept his superyacht "Koru" at bay as advised by local authorities, given worries about potential attacks or protests.
- In the midst of escalating security measures due to potential threats and planned protests, Jeff Bezos's luxury wedding in Venice, Italy, continues to draw attention from celebrity guests, such as Ivanka Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and Madonna, among others.
- To accommodate the wedding festivities and manage concerns over surging tourism and air traffic, sanctions have been implemented across various tourist hotspots in the city, prohibiting boats and pedestrians from particular areas.
- In an attempt to uplift the city's image amidst the venue's hefty expense and controversial reception, Jeff Bezos has displayed generosity by contributing additional money to Venetian institutions and encouraging guests to donate to the city's restoration instead of providing wedding gifts.
