Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Donate to Venetian Charities Prior to Wedding

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have made donations to charities in Venice, Italy, ahead of their upcoming wedding. According to sources, the couple, who are scheduled to marry in Venice this week, contributed to local charities in April as part of their wedding preparations. They have also informed their guests, including notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Barbra Streisand, and Ivanka Trump, that in lieu of gifts, donations have been made in their names to support Venice's cultural heritage. The wedding festivities are planned to span three days, with events potentially taking place on Bezos' yacht, Koru, the island of San Giorgio, and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia. Reports indicate that approximately 80% of the wedding supplies are being sourced from Venetian vendors, including the city's oldest pastry maker, Rosa Salva, and Murano glass blower Laguna B. Guests are expected to receive keepsakes from Laguna B, known for their colorful glass cups called goti de fornasa. The wedding has elicited mixed reactions from Venice residents. Some local activists, under the banner 'No space for Bezos,' plan to protest the event, citing concerns over over-tourism and the commercialization of the city. Activist Marta Sottoriva stated, 'We are not protesting the wedding per se, but a vision of Venice ... as a city that people come and consume.' Conversely, Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has expressed support for the wedding, highlighting its potential positive economic impact on local businesses.