Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Make Last Minute Venue Change for Starry Venice Wedding Celebration
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are taking security precautions by making some last-minute changes ahead of their wedding in Venice, Italy this week
A source tells PEOPLE security preparations for the Bezos-Sánchez wedding have transformed Venice into a "fortress-like operation"
The expected 200+ guests — many of whom are A-list celebrities — will instead celebrate in a hall at the Arsenale, a large 14th-century complex in the eastern Castello districtJeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are making some last-minute changes ahead of their wedding in Venice this week.
A source tells PEOPLE that the wedding party originally planned on June 28th at Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a medieval former religious school in Cannaregio, has now been moved to a new location due to protests and safety concerns.
The expected 200+ guests — many of whom are A-list celebrities — will instead celebrate in a hall at the Arsenale, a large 14th-century complex in the eastern Castello district, which is surrounded by water and unreachable by land when connecting bridges are raised.
A source tells PEOPLE that security preparations for the Bezos-Sánchez wedding have transformed Venice into a "fortress-like operation," as approximately 20 security personnel were "stationed and in full operational move" across one of the key venues for the couple's celebrations: Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto, a Catholic church in Venice where the ceremony itself is expected to be held.
The setup operation involved a coordinated effort between five staff members from Venice Lion Service and 15 from Colosseum security, creating a multi-layered protection network. Local resident Mariana told PEOPLE that, throughout the past week, Lanza and Baucina security personnel (easily identifiable by their distinctive logo t-shirts) have been conducting regular patrols and preparing and coordinating the delivery of boxes around the wedding area surrounding the church, familiarizing themselves with the terrain and establishing security protocols,
The logistical scale of the setup operations was impressive, with a very large storage room adjacent to the church filled with countless boxes of equipment and supplies strategically positioned near the venue. Workers were busy during the course of the afternoon on Tuesday, June 25, laying extensive power cable networks throughout the entire perimeter, ensuring reliable electricity for lighting, communication systems, and surveillance equipment.
Black tents were being erected at strategic points, likely to serve as command posts or screening areas for guest arrivals. The most visible sign of the unprecedented security measures is the posting of dedicated security staff at key access points — including bridges leading to the wedding venues, effectively controlling and monitoring all foot traffic in these historically public spaces.
This level of security preparation reflects not only the high-profile nature of the guest list but also the organizers' response to the confirmed protest threats from various activist groups.
As the event nears, ongoing protests have cropped up across Venice, with posters, stickers and signs around the canal city's historic center reading "No Space for Bezos." Greenpeace, a global environmental organization, recently deployed a giant banner at St. Mark's Square displaying a picture of the Amazon billionaire laughing alongside the words: 'If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax.'
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Despite the protests, Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, have plans to spotlight Venice's rich artisanal heritage at their wedding. The couple is sourcing about 80% of the provisions for the multi-day wedding from Venetian vendors as a show of appreciation, a source told The Associated Press.
Several guests, including Ivanka Trump, Corey Gamble and Diane von Furstenberg, have already arrived in Venice for Bezos and Sánchez's nuptials, which is being planned by event planners Lanza & Baucina Limited.
An exclusive source tells PEOPLE that Matteo Bocelli, son of Andrea Bocelli, will perform at the star-studded ceremony.
Sources also tell PEOPLE the schedule of events for the wedding will include a ceremony on June 26 at Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto church and the nearby cloisters, as well as events at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini cultural center June 27 and at the Arsenale on June 28.
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