Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist fiancee Lauren Sanchez landed in Venice ahead of what’s being dubbed the “wedding of the century” as celebrations are estimated to cost between €40–48 million ($46–56 million). The couple were seen entering the opulent Aman Venice Hotel, a historic palace on the Grand Canal where many of their A-list guests will be staying for their three-day events in Venice amid heavy security following fierce local backlash. 90 Private Jets And 250 Guests The festivities will begin with an open-air party at Madonna dell’Orto, a 14th-century Gothic church in Cannaregio. The event will move to the picturesque island of San Giorgio, directly across from St. Mark’s Square. The final celebration is scheduled for Saturday at the Arsenale, a historic naval complex now transformed into a venue that’s inaccessible by land when bridges are raised. An estimated 90 private jets are expected to land in Venice, ferrying in 250 guests from the world of show business, politics, and finance. Protests In Venice Not everyone is celebrating the wedding as Venetian activists have been protesting for weeks, accusing the city of turning into a “private amusement park for the rich.” City Hall cordoned off the wedding zones to separate partygoers from demonstrators, Reuters reported. “There’s only one thing that rules now: money, money, money, so we are the losers,” a local resident said as per the report. In an apparent response to the criticism, Jeff Bezos made a €3 million donation to three Venetian institutions: CORILA (a lagoon research body), UNESCO’s local office and the Venice International University. Security Tightens Around Hotel And Party Zones Arrangements have been put in place to shield the festivities from paparazzi and the public. Security surrounded the Aman Hotel while city officials enacted directives restricting movement near event locations. The decision to move the final event to the Arsenale was reportedly made for safety reasons, ensuring that the celebration remains undisturbed and completely off-limits to outsiders. Wedding Date A Mystery? While Saturday is expected to be the main celebration, rumors persist that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez may have already exchanged vows in a private ceremony back in the United States. Jeff Bezos, now executive chair of Amazon and ranked fourth on Forbes’ billionaires list, got engaged to Lauren Sanchez in 2023 after his 25-year marriage to MacKenzie Scott ended in 2019.