Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are preparing for a spectacular wedding in Venice, Italy, on June 27, 2025, but the event’s environmental and social impact is stirring controversy. With 96 private jets expected to bring guests like Katy Perry, Ivanka Trump, and Oprah Winfrey, the celebration’s carbon emissions—equivalent to 27,300 cars in a single day—are raising serious concerns among activists and locals alike.
A 2024 study found that a private jet flight emits about 3.6 tonnes of CO2, so 96 jets will produce 345,000 kilograms of CO2, according to an Italian news outlet. Compare that to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s figure of 12.6 kilograms per car daily, and the wedding’s flights match the emissions of thousands of vehicles. This massive carbon footprint for a three-day event has sparked debate about the environmental cost of wealth and luxury.
The wedding’s price is also jaw-dropping. While Bezos denied earlier claims of a $600 million budget, estimates now range from $15 to $20 million. That includes luxe details like a possible performance by Andrea Bocelli and a couture dress for Sanchez, potentially costing $1 million from a designer like Valentino. The couple is supporting Venice by using local vendors for 80% of their supplies, but this hasn’t eased all tensions.
On June 19, Venetian activists protested by hanging a banner on St. Mark’s bell tower, crossing out Bezos’ name. They’re frustrated that the wedding, with its private jets and elite guest list, treats their city like a private venue, adding to the strain of overtourism. One activist told a news outlet that Venice, already burdened by visitors, doesn’t need this kind of disruption.
Bezos and Sanchez’s wedding is a glittering event, but it’s also a lightning rod for concerns about privilege, climate change, and community impact. As the couple celebrates their love, the protests and emissions remind us to balance celebration with respect for the planet and the places we cherish.
