Jeff Bezos is gearing up to say “I do” to Lauren Sanchez in a dazzling wedding celebration set against the romantic backdrop of Venice, Italy — but the path to their big day hasn’t been smooth sailing.
The Amazon billionaire and his fiancée have already kicked off what promises to be a lavish five-day extravaganza, with the main ceremony expected tomorrow, June 28. However, just as the festivities got underway, the couple faced unexpected hurdles when their original venue was met with fierce opposition from local protesters.
“No Space for Bezos”
A vocal group of activists calling themselves “No Space for Bezos” have rallied against the wedding, highlighting concerns about Venice’s ongoing struggle with overtourism. With the city’s delicate infrastructure under constant pressure from rising visitor numbers, these protesters see Bezos’ extravagant event as yet another strain on a historic and vulnerable city. Their campaign has turned this high-profile wedding into a flashpoint for a larger debate about the impact of wealth and tourism on iconic destinations.
The backlash was strong enough to force Bezos and Sanchez to change venues, but their glamorous European celebration is still unfolding in style, with a parade of high-profile guests arriving in Venice.
A Star-Studded Affair — with One Surprising No-Show
The guest list sparkles with A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, and Leonardo DiCaprio all reportedly in attendance. Yet, one very notable name is missing: President Donald Trump.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Bezos has been quietly reaching out to Trump lately, perhaps hoping to step into the role of the former president’s new tech-world confidant — a position once seemingly held by Elon Musk.
In fact, the 61-year-old billionaire has reportedly had two phone calls with Trump in recent weeks. Despite receiving an invitation to the wedding, Trump declined, citing “scheduling conflicts,” The Telegraph reports.
The White House officially confirmed Trump’s absence from the wedding, but several members of the Trump family will still be present, including Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr.
Their absence marks a striking contrast to the past. Back in 2019, Donald Trump publicly mocked Jeff Bezos by calling him “Jeff Bozo,” a jab aimed at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. Despite the paper’s reputation as a left-leaning outlet, it notably broke tradition in last year’s presidential election by not endorsing Kamala Harris, a move that surprised many.
A Wedding Invitation That Sparked a Design Roast
As excitement around the wedding grew, the couple’s invitation leaked online — and rather than awe, it sparked a wave of memes. The design was unexpectedly modest for billionaires, but its message carried a meaningful, charitable spirit:
“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.”
While many applauded the heartfelt message behind the invitation, the design itself quickly became the subject of playful roasting online.
“This invite was proudly sponsored by Microsoft Paint and zero adult supervision,” one witty user joked.
Another chimed in, “Money can’t buy taste. That invite was made on the Canva app during an 11-minute trip to ‘space.’”
Undeterred by the trolling, Bezos and Sanchez are pressing forward. With the enchanting city of Venice as their backdrop, A-list guests arriving by the hour, and celebrations well underway, the couple is clearly set on making their wedding an unforgettable event — protests, bad fonts, and haters aside.