Jeff Bezos Lauren Sanchez and he have been spotted arriving in Venice prior to their highly anticipated wedding.
The billionaire founder of Amazon was spotted getting off a yacht with his attractive partner at the Aman Hotel this morning.
The technology tycoon and reporter are said to have extended invitations to roughly 200 guests for their lavish multimillion-dollar wedding in an Italian locale. The festivities are anticipated to commence on Thursday and conclude on Saturday.
However, MailOnline has uncovered that the historic location selected by Bezos and Sanchez for their extravagant $20 million celebration is currently enveloped in scaffolding.
The extravagant three-day celebration will include a party taking place inside the magnificent 15th-century setting. Madonna The Dell'Orto Church in Venice's charming Cannaregio neighborhood tomorrow evening.
As part of the preparations, security guards have barricaded the entry points leading to the venue where the event will take place. However, upon arrival, guests will initially notice the famous bell tower surrounded by scaffolding.
This has led residents to speculate that Bezos might have reserved the location after viewing images online. Google Without noticing, it’s getting fixed.
The disclosure occurs merely a day following when MailOnline unveiled details about how a a careless wedding organizer inadvertently disclosed confidential information about theVIP event by getting captured by the media while holding a printed guest list.
In the meantime, the massive wedding occurring at one of the globe’s most susceptible heritage locations has sparked such controversy that it is now inciting heated debates in the Italian parliament.
The dispute escalated rapidly during the night when city officials instructed the closure of the canal in front of the church for approximately 200 meters, including the docking area for boats which was cordoned off using red and white barriers.
Entry through the Brazzo and Dei Muti canals will also be restricted starting from 6 pm today until midnight tomorrow, coinciding with the commencement of wedding celebrations which include a pyjama party at an undisclosed venue.
Scores of electric cables, snaking across the ground akin to tangled pasta, are being connected from a loud generator boat anchored in the Madonna Dell'Orto canal, producing a significant racket.
The location for the event is the cloister adjacent to the church — the same place where the renowned Renaissance artist Tintoretto is interred.
The website of the cloister characterizes the venue — which hosts the renowned Biennale art exhibition in Venice — describing the colonnade as 'minimalistic yet sophisticated.'
Images from past gatherings depict tables under the arched ceilings, illuminated evocatively with candlelight — however, this week the scaffolding on the church tower will be prominently noticeable.
The cloister spans three sides and is upheld by intricate columns above a stunning herringbone-patterned floor.
When MailOnline approached a guard and enquired about the accessibility of the cloister, we were informed: "It's not accessible; it’s closed for a private event."
Additionally, the Aman hotel has constructed a private dock for the exclusive use of the 48 fortunate guests who will be accommodated there during the Bezos wedding.
Located along the Grand Canal, the hotel has set up a small dock shaded by a blue canopy for guests arriving by watercraft who prefer some seclusion. The duo has reserved all 24 of the hotel’s grand suites starting from Wednesday.
Additional security personnel and enhanced safety protocols have been implemented for the wedding, with local officials convening regular daily sessions to strategize on safeguarding the anticipated 200 distinguished guests.
As reported by local media, the city plans to compensate an undisclosed number of police officers with overtime pay for their involvement in ensuring security for the event organizers.
Among the various tycoons and multimillionaires on the guest list, one can also find Ivanka Trump , who being the daughter of the US President comes with additional layers of security.
This situation has led to inquiries in Parliament from angry Members of Parliament—primarily from the opposition center-left and environmental factions—who want to know exactly how much Italian taxpayers’ money is being used.
Angelo Bonelli, an irate member of parliament for the Italian Green and Left Alliance, urged Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi of the governing Brothers of Italy right-wing party to disclose specific financial costs.
Mr Bonelli said: 'We need information because from Wednesday until Saturday night the city of Venice will be in a virtual lockdown to allow the Amazon magnate's wedding to go ahead.
The area will be sealed off, yet over those three days, it will transform into an unrestrained paradise of luxury where citizen movements will be restricted.
I'm here to request the Ministry of the Interior to ensure the right to voice opposition. Can someone explain how it becomes feasible to purchase control of a city for three days, thereby causing a string of disruptions?
He added: 'I remember that Amazon is under investigation for the exploitation of workers, Bezos' wealth comes from this. If they can buy Venice for three days, these super rich can pay taxes.'
Bonelli's appeal was seconded by opposition M5S deputy Antonio Iaria, who stated: "Like the Five Star Movement, we also seek information from Piantedosi."
'in the Senate as M5S, we also suggested increasing the web tax, not to oppose a particular sector, but to tackle a future issue.'
'This government immediately bows to billionaires, it does not ask itself if in a historical moment like this a public order problem is not created.
The government indicates that Venice should not become an exclusive retreat for millionaires; while tourism is encouraged, it shouldn’t be at the expense of residents when wealthy individuals essentially privatize the city.
He mentioned, "Bezos is tying the knot. Venice is experiencing closures. And what is the expense for the Italian government?"
We queried Interior Minister Piantedosi about this. Certainly, we pay for security measures, maintaining public order, enforcing a full lockdown of the city, and safeguarding a clandestine marriage.
But what is the expense for all of this in Italy? Who ensures safety? Who manages the traffic?
Who handles the disruptions for residents and employees? The response remains consistent: the governmental system, funded by public finances.
'In return? Selfies and luxuries, as people struggling with their rents observe from a distance.'
The campaign group "No Space For Bezos" has stated their intention to disrupt the wedding by obstructing the canals, and they have encouraged activists to attend wearing snorkels and masks.
They have similarly been urged to carry inflatable crocodiles or other toys to place throughout the canals in order to block the numerous water taxis rented for transporting attendees from one venue to another.
Brothers of Italy MP Salvatore Caiata responded by saying: "We disagree with the notion that Piantedosi needs to brief the Chamber on this matter. It’s absurd to suggest that the Minister of the Interior acts as a wedding planner; thus, we shouldn’t expect the government to provide reports to the Chamber for each issue. Using every scenario to make political capital out of trivial matters is unreasonable."
None of the organizers or officials from the Venice city hall, who manage the funding for the local police, were readily available to provide comments at that time.
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