23.06.2025 14:11
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez kicked off their wedding festivities with a foam party on their $500 million super yacht, despite protests held in Venice. One of the world's richest individuals, Bezos, and television host Sanchez began their luxurious celebrations ahead of their wedding, which is set to take place in Venice, Italy, on June 27.
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Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez made a grand start to their wedding week with a foam party on their $500 million super yacht, ignoring protests in Venice.
One of the world's richest individuals, Jeff Bezos (61), and his television presenter fiancée Lauren Sanchez (55), began their luxurious celebrations ahead of their wedding, which will take place in Venice, Italy, on June 27. The couple was spotted enjoying a foam party with friends on their giant super yacht, Koru, off the coast of Croatia.
Photos published by DailyMail showed the couple only wearing swimsuits and surrounded by soap bubbles, while they shared romantic moments by hugging each other throughout the entertainment. Sanchez wore a black-red gradient bikini, while Bezos opted for blue-black swim shorts. Both wore hats and sunglasses to protect themselves from the sun.
A banner reading "Happy Birthday" hung at the back of the yacht, indicating that the party was also organized to celebrate Lauren's son Evan's 19th birthday. Guests enjoyed themselves by jumping into the water from the yacht's deck, paddle boarding, and taking small boats to the shore.
Tensions rose in the streets of Venice before the wedding celebrations began. Banners reading "There is no place for Bezos here" and "Venice is not a playground for the rich" caught attention in various parts of the city. Protesters are planning to block the canals with boats and set up barricades in the streets to disrupt the wedding and the movements of the guests.
One of the organizers of the protest, Federica Toninello, stated in a press release that they received insider information about the couple's schedule, saying, "Bezos will never reach Misericordia. We will block the canals and streets with our bodies."
The main reason for the protests is the rising cost of living and rent due to uncontrolled tourism in Venice. Locals argue that the city is becoming increasingly unlivable for anyone but the wealthy.
Lanza & Baucina Limited, the company organizing Bezos and Sanchez's wedding, responded to the local backlash. In a statement, the company said, "From the very beginning, we and our client have made it a principle to respect the people of Venice and minimize any potential negative impacts in the city. We prioritized local labor in all our planning."
The organizers also announced that the couple made donations to various charities in Venice before the wedding, with some donations made on behalf of the guests.
The grand wedding ceremony will span three days. A gala dinner will be held at a private monastery on June 26. The official wedding will take place on June 27, followed by a large celebration at a church on June 28.
Approximately 200 special guests have been invited to the event. Expected attendees include Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Kris Jenner, and some members of the Trump family. Artists performing at the ceremonies will include Lady Gaga and Elton John.
During this wedding week, 60 water taxis in Venice will operate by reservation. Most of the gondolas in the city are out of service due to the organization.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro expressed his pleasure in hosting the couple's wedding. Speaking to the Associated Press, Brugnaro said, "I don't know if I will have the opportunity to meet them, but it is an honor for us that they chose our city. Venice has once again shown that it is on the world stage."
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