The highly anticipated wedding between Jeff Bezos, the world's third-richest man, and former TV journalist Lauren Sanchez, has been dubbed the 'wedding of the century' due to its estimated multi-million-dollar price tag and extensive, multi-day celebrations. Reportedly spanning from June 26 to 28, the event is set to host 200 guests in the historic city of Venice, Italy. The couple has enlisted the same wedding planners who orchestrated George and Amal Clooney's nuptials in the Italian lagoon city in 2014, signaling an event of comparable scale and grandeur.

Despite a strict cloak of secrecy, details have emerged, and the lavish affair has already stirred significant controversy among local residents. Protests have erupted across Venice, with banners declaring 'No to Bezos' unfurled at iconic landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and the bell tower of Fondazione Cini, a rumored wedding location. Campaigners, such as Marta Sottoriva, have voiced strong opposition, stating that such events bring the city to a standstill, make areas inaccessible, and exacerbate overcrowding, symbolizing broader issues Venice faces. The city already imposes a 'tourist tax' to manage its visitor influx.

Further fueling local ire are reports of Bezos reserving a 'fleet' of water taxis, a crucial mode of transport in Venice. One taxi driver confirmed being 'on call' for an extended period, and another indicated that specific routes and passenger details were being kept secret until the last moment. Activists, including Tommaso Cacciari from 'No Space for Bezos', have even threatened to jump into canals and block alleyways to peacefully obstruct the wedding proceedings, linking Bezos to a worldview associated with Donald Trump. In response to the growing outrage, the official communications team for the Municipality of Venice issued a statement deeming the concerns 'unfounded,' asserting that the city is well-equipped to handle events of this size without disruption, citing its experience with various international gatherings like G20 Economy, G7 Justice, and the Art, Architecture, and Cinema Biennales.

However, the local protests have seemingly had an impact. Reports indicate that Jeff Bezos was compelled to move a planned wedding party in Venice after threats from locals to fill the city’s canals with inflatable crocodiles to deter guests. This underscores the intensity of the opposition and the lengths to which residents are prepared to go to voice their displeasure over the perceived disruption caused by such high-profile private events.

Beyond the local friction, the wedding is poised to be a star-studded affair. While the official guest list remains undisclosed, attendees at the couple's pre-wedding celebrations offer clues. Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria are expected following their presence at Lauren Sanchez’s bachelorette party in Paris. Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, and Queen Rania of Jordan have also been rumored guests after attending the engagement party. Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are anticipated, particularly after Sanchez's 'space sister' voyage with Bezos's Blue Origin. Guests are expected to be accommodated in Venice’s most luxurious hotels, including the Aman, Gritti Palace, Danieli, Marriott, and St Regis, with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner reportedly staying at the latter.

The sartorial aspect of the wedding is also garnering attention, with Lauren Sanchez rumored to have a staggering 27 outfit changes over the three-day event. Sanchez, a licensed helicopter pilot and author, expressed her excitement about getting married at 54, stating, 'life is just beginning.' A known admirer of Dolce & Gabbana, she was spotted leaving a fitting at the designer's Milan studio in March, leading to speculation that the fashion house will outfit her for the ceremony. The scale of such an event is immense, with estimates for hair and makeup alone for George Clooney's wedding reaching €500,000, setting a precedent for similar expenses.

Arrivals are expected to be as grand as the event itself, with the future Mr and Mrs Bezos anticipated to arrive in Venice via Koru, Bezos's $500 million superyacht, the world's largest sailing yacht. Accompanying Koru will be Abeona, a support vessel equipped with its own helicopter pad, hinting at a potential aerial element to the celebrations. The catering promises to be equally extravagant, with whispers of Carbone, the ultra-exclusive restaurant favored by celebrities, handling the culinary arrangements. Bezos is a known patron of Carbone, having previously made headlines for dining in its main room. The cocktail menu is expected to be entirely bespoke and possibly 'space-oriented,' reminiscent of Bezos's post-space-flight event in 2021 where he ordered a 'Fly Me To The Moon,' a variation of the traditional Aviator cocktail.