Venice became the epicenter of glamour and controversy this week as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez launched a grand three-day wedding celebration, drawing a constellation of global celebrities to the historic Italian city.

With a guest list reportedly ranging from 200 to 250 elite figures from entertainment, business, and politics, the event has quickly earned the nickname “the wedding of the century.” High-profile attendees include Oprah Winfrey, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom, Kris Jenner, and Queen Rania of Jordan. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were also spotted enjoying the city’s sights ahead of the official festivities.

Security around the celebration has been notably tight, with Venice authorities enforcing temporary pedestrian and water traffic bans in key areas, including the Madonna dell’Orto church—an architectural treasure adorned with Tintoretto masterpieces—where the couple welcomed guests on Thursday night.

Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, arrived via helicopter on Wednesday and checked into the ultra-luxurious Aman hotel, where rooms overlooking the Grand Canal command nightly rates upwards of €4,000. The couple is expected to exchange vows on Friday on the serene island of San Giorgio Maggiore, although the ceremony will reportedly hold no legal weight under Italian law—prompting speculation that they may have already formalized their union in the U.S.

Despite the celebratory mood, the spectacle has drawn criticism from some locals and activists who argue the event highlights growing concerns over Venice being transformed into a playground for the ultra-wealthy. On Thursday, a protester scaled a flagpole in St. Mark’s Square to unfurl a banner reading, “The 1% ruins the world,” aimed directly at Bezos and his billionaire status.

The protest group “No Space for Bezos” plans to continue demonstrations throughout the weekend, accusing the city of prioritizing luxury tourism at the cost of local culture and accessibility. However, not all Venetians share this sentiment.

Supporters of the event, including local business owners and city officials, argue that elite gatherings like this are a far more sustainable boost to the economy than mass tourism. “Events like this bring only benefits,” said Mattia Brandi, a local tour leader. “It’s the protesters who are disrupting daily life, not the wedding.”

Saturday’s grand finale will be held at the historic Arsenale—a former shipyard turned art venue—where the wedding party will celebrate in style against the backdrop of Venetian heritage.

This isn’t Venice’s first brush with celebrity nuptials. In 2014, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin famously tied the knot here, and several Indian billionaire families have followed suit in years past.

Bezos, currently ranked fourth on Forbes‘ list of richest individuals, proposed to Sanchez in 2023 following the end of his 25-year marriage to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. While the official status of their union remains a mystery, their Venice celebration has already left a lasting impression—both dazzling and divisive.