Protesters displayed a sign that read “No Space for Bezos!” on the Rialto Bridge ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s coming wedding.

Protesters displayed a sign that read “No Space for Bezos!” on the Rialto Bridge ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s coming wedding. Manuel Silvestri/REUTERS

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Venice is widely considered one of the world’s most romantic cities, but some residents have found at least one wedding they’re not celebrating.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are expected to tie the knot in Venice this week, with an estimated guest list of 200 — that’s sure to include A-listers and fellow billionaires.

A group of Venetians protested the upcoming nuptials earlier this month, citing concerns that the lavish event will not benefit local residents and will add to overtourism concerns that are already plaguing the historic city.

The island that makes up the city center, famous for its winding canals and gondola rides, is around 2 square miles. It is home to some 50,000 residents but welcomes 20 million tourists each year.

Photos showed protesters gathering in a Venetian town square and along the iconic Rialto Bridge with signs that read “No space for Bezos” with an image of a rocket ship, a nod to his rocket company, Blue Origin.

When reached for comment, a representative for Bezos and Sánchez pointed to a statement released last week by Lanza and Baucina, the event planner coordinating the wedding.

“Rumours of ‘taking over’ the city are entirely false and diametrically opposed to our goals and to reality,” the statement said. “Before the recent news of protests arose, we had worked for there to be minimal negative impact or disruption to the lives of Venetians and the city’s visitors.”