Imagine spending $20 million on a wedding, flying in over 200 A-list guests, and still having people question whether you’re even legally married.
That’s exactly what’s happening with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice.
The power couple has been making headlines all week for their extravagant wedding celebrations in Italy, but now an unexpected twist has surfaced — their ceremony might not even be recognized under Italian law.
No Registrar, No Legal Wedding?
According to a senior official at Venice’s city hall, Bezos and Sanchez haven’t filed any official paperwork to marry in Italy.
Not only that, but the person who will be conducting their ceremony isn’t authorized by the local government, and the venue they’ve chosen isn’t licensed for weddings either.
“There’s no application on file for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez,” the official told MailOnline.
“So unless they’re already married elsewhere or plan to do another ceremony later, this one won’t be legally binding.”
Where’s the Wedding Happening?
The couple reportedly picked the stunning Cini Foundation on San Giorgio Island for their ceremony — a former monastery and past G7 summit venue.
But here’s the catch: the location isn’t an official wedding venue.
Add that to the lack of a registrar, and the romantic setup starts to sound more symbolic than legal.
It’s worth noting that many high-profile couples have run into legal snags when marrying abroad.
Think George and Amal Clooney — they had to do a separate civil ceremony to make things official.
And Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall’s exotic Bali wedding? Later declared void in England.
A Grand Celebration Already Underway
Legalities aside, the festivities have kicked off in full force.
Bezos and Sanchez were spotted arriving at the Aman Hotel in Venice by boat with about 50 close friends, all gearing up for what’s being called “the wedding of the century.”
The welcome party featured a romantic playlist with Bee Gees’ “More Than a Woman,” Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good,” and “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison.
Traditional Italian tunes added a local touch as the couple celebrated ahead of the big day.
Star-Studded Guest List and Tight Security
The guest list reads like a who’s who of the rich and famous — Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ivanka Trump, and Katy Perry are just some of the celebrities expected.
With 90 private jets arriving this week, Venice has transformed into a playground for billionaires.
To ensure safety, city officials have deployed extra police and security staff around the venues.
Entry points have been closed off, canals blocked, and marquees erected — all of which has sparked tension with local residents and politicians.
Venice Locals and Politicians Push Back
While the wedding is glamorous, not everyone’s thrilled.
Some locals feel like the city has been taken over.
A group of angry Italian MPs, especially from the center-left and Green parties, are asking tough questions about how much taxpayer money is being used to keep Venice secure for Bezos’ wedding.
MP Angelo Bonelli expressed his frustration in Parliament: “Venice has been bought for three days, turning into a luxury amusement park.
Who’s paying for all this? The citizens.”
A City on Lockdown
From Wednesday night until Saturday, key parts of Venice will essentially be locked down.
One area, the Madonna dell’Orto church — where part of the wedding celebration will take place — has been cordoned off entirely.
Scaffolding on its historic bell tower also raised eyebrows, leading to speculation that Bezos may have booked the venue without realizing it’s under renovation.
Even canals have been sealed with red and white tape, water taxis rerouted, and cables running from noisy generator boats have disrupted the peaceful neighborhood.
A Symbolic Ceremony Amid Growing Controversy
Despite the dazzling setup and strict security, the controversy keeps growing.
Campaign group No Space For Bezos has called for protests, asking activists to show up in snorkels and scatter inflatable crocodiles in the canals to disrupt water taxis.
Meanwhile, critics are calling the whole affair tone-deaf — especially in a city grappling with over-tourism and preservation concerns.
One MP even argued that billionaires like Bezos can afford to throw massive weddings, but should also be paying their fair share in taxes.
A Private Party with Public Consequences
What was supposed to be a fairytale celebration for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez has now become a lightning rod for public debate in Italy.
From blocked canals to parliamentary outrage, it’s clear this is no ordinary wedding.
Whether it’s legally binding or not, their three-day celebration has already made a lasting mark — not just on Venice, but on the international stage.