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The rise of the billionaire ‘mega-wedding’

Lavish ceremonies and grotesque budgets are still on the rise, despite the social and environmental fallout. 

In case you missed the Parisian bachelorette, flanked by a star-studded girl group of Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, plus Kris Jenner’s new face – or perhaps the firm backlash from Venetian residents, who threatened to fill the city’s canals with inflatable crocodiles to prevent guests from arriving – you’ll be well aware that Jeff Bezos is getting married.

The Amazon founder, and richest man in the world (depending on the day and Elon Musk’s social media presence), is in the midst of planning a three-day wedding extravaganza to cement his nuptials.

These lavish celebrations were initially to take place in Venice, the ancient and infamously fragile city in Northern Italy. Venice has been a hot topic in recent years, due in part to over-tourism and an increasing sense of fatigue amongst local residents. The city, which attracts millions of visitors to its unique canal streets, has gradually been sinking as a result of its own beauty.

But Jeff Bezos hasn’t seemed phased by this ill-fated narcissus of a city. His marriage to Lauren Sanchez was set to be held at a town-hall in the center of Venice, part of a multi-day event that would see thousands of the world’s richest people descend on the area.

Unsurprisingly, locals weren’t best pleased – and took to the streets to do what they do best. In the past few days, angry Venetians have plotted various ways to halt the celebrations – including the aforementioned inflatable crocodile strategy. Other plans include the use of buoys and motorboats to prevent what they deem to be a veritable Bezos takeover of the entire city.

Until Tuesday, it seemed the billionaire was to remain unperturbed. He joined Lauren Sanchez on board his $500m superyacht for a foam party over the weekend, despite the mounting message from locals to back off.

These flagrant displays of wealth and ignorance have become somewhat of a mainstay in the so-called ‘mega wedding’ program. As the world’s 1% get richer, the traditional three-course reception once considered ‘enough’ by even the most elaborate of wedding standards has morphed into a stomach churning, bloated affair that serves little purpose other than to tell everyone else just how much the happy couple have in the bank.

Last year, the mega-wedding on everyone’s minds was that of Anant Amani and Radhika Merchant – a spectacle which cost over $600m and is unlikely to be topped on the spending side of things anytime soon.

Bezos might not be digging into quite as much cash for his nuptials, but the Amazon founder has planned for contingencies. According to reports, the couple have reserved multiple historic venues across Venice should the wedding be moved last minute.

And so, armed with a limitless credit card and a buffet of the world’s wealthiest, Bezos has essentially rented the city over three days for a personal party.

It’s this obscene privilege that triggered the ‘No Space for Bezos’ group to pushback with fervour, erecting signs across Venice in protest of the wedding.

Many members of the organisation are based in Laboratorio Occupato Morion, which describes itself as an ‘anti-facist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist and trans-feminist political space.’

Amongst their many tools of protest was a huge sign featuring an image of Bezos and the words ‘If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax’.

Local anger toward the businessman’s wedding isn’t just rooted in his aggressive display of wealth. According to some Venetians, many Italians have a personal vendetta against Bezos due to the impacts of Amazon on global workforces.

‘Thousands of shops in Italy have closed because of Amazon,’ says Oliver, a 43-year-old member of ‘No Space for Bezos’ who works as a receptionist in a local hotel. ‘I don’t think he is welcome.’

Against all odds, it seems this pressure has paid off. It was announced on Tuesday that the Bezos wedding was being relocated from the Venetian city-center to a more secure venue on its outskirts.

Arsenale, the oldest industrial ports in Venice, will be easier to secure for its surrounding crenelated walls, unlike the original location which was easily accessible by the public.

‘This is a huge win for us,’ said Tommaso Cacciari, a protester with the ‘No Space for Bezos’ group.

‘Who would have guessed that we could alter one of the wealthiest men on the planet’s plans?’

But the last-minute shift isn’t entirely down to local backlash. Concerns had risen in recent weeks over terrorist threats, given rising conflict in the Middle East and the reported attendance of high-profile figures like Ivanka Trump.

The conflation of a billionaire wedding with threats of terror are both reflective of the sheer scale of these mega-weddings, and a reminder of their lunacy – unfurling with incomparable glitz, glam, and excess against a backdrop of international war.

Some argue that these elaborate events are a boost for the local economy, and welcome them with open arms. But in today’s political landscape, it’s hard to feel anything but queasy at the thought of an ostentatious party for the world’s richest 1% – a glorified pissing contest to establish who can spend and flaunt the most.

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