Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are turning the page on traditional wedding extravagance—and turning heads with it. The billionaire power couple, who are reportedly tying the knot in Venice, Italy, have stunned friends and media alike by refusing personal wedding gifts and instead requesting donations to help preserve the iconic, yet fragile city that will host their celebration.

The move, praised by some as noble and criticized by others as strategic, raises important questions: Is this an act of genuine altruism—or a calculated gesture meant to shape the couple’s public image?

A Wedding Gift Like No Other

Rather than luxury crystal, fine china, or designer luggage, Bezos and Sánchez are asking their guests—an expected list of A-list celebrities, CEOs, and global influencers—to donate to Venice, a city grappling with overtourism, climate threats, and infrastructure concerns.

“Certainly the message sent by Bezos regarding the gifts was that they should be gifted not to him but to Venice,” Sebastiano Costalonga, Venice’s city councillor for commerce and productive activities, told PEOPLE. “We are definitely happy to have this funding for the protection of our very delicate city.”

Costalonga added that the gesture “should also be extended to the other people who come to get married in Venice or to celebrate any kind of event here.”

Local Support Amid Growing Frustrations

While some critics argue the wedding could disrupt daily life in Venice, Costalonga said locals are largely supportive. Signs have indeed gone up around the historic center voicing concerns about the city being overrun by tourists. Yet, officials say they are fully prepared for the scale of the event.

“Venice is used to these events,” Costalonga noted, referencing major annual happenings like the Biennale and Venice Film Festival. “Artisans, merchants … they are all excited and ready to work for those who love Venice.”

That sentiment extends to the city’s robust security preparations. “We have the police teams here who are used to these events … they are also used to multiple days of pressure in the city,” he said.

Putting Venice at the Center of the Celebration

In addition to the donation request, the Bezos-Sánchez wedding is making headlines for its intentional local focus. Reports indicate that approximately 80% of the wedding’s provisions will be sourced from Venetian businesses. That includes everything from food to flowers and artisanal gifts.

Two of Venice’s most celebrated products—Murano glassware and traditional pastries—will be supplied by local companies, breathing economic life into small businesses that often struggle amid the city’s influx of mass tourism.

“As for the artisans, the small businesses here in Venice, certainly we are experiencing it in a very happy and active way,” said Costalonga. “We have so many artisans who are involved … ranging from transporters, florists, carpenters, and expert Murano glassmakers preparing the gifts.”

A Wedding as a Statement?

To many, this is more than a wedding—it’s a signal. In recent years, Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and one of the richest individuals in the world, has been attempting to reframe his public persona from corporate titan to philanthropist and environmental advocate. His Earth Fund initiative and climate-related pledges have been scrutinized for substance versus symbolism.

With this wedding, some see echoes of that same tension. While choosing Venice sends a message about culture and preservation, skeptics question whether this act of generosity is as spontaneous as it seems.

Public relations experts point to a clear benefit: this donation-centric wedding deflects criticism of wealth excess while aligning the couple with global cultural stewardship—a savvy image move amid growing scrutiny of billionaires’ lifestyles.

A Win for Venice

Whether strategic or sincere, the impact in Venice is tangible. The city, known as much for its historical beauty as its vulnerability to rising tides and overcrowding, will benefit from an influx of funds and a global spotlight.

Costalonga is optimistic: “Venice has to be experienced as much as possible and loved … the city lends itself as a location for those who want to stay and discover other secret corners.”

And while the wedding may last just a few days, the gesture could ripple far beyond the celebration. Local leaders hope the couple’s approach will inspire other affluent travelers to invest back into the destinations they romanticize.

The Real Question

Are Bezos and Sánchez pioneers of a new kind of socially conscious celebrity celebration—or simply masters of the modern image game?

Perhaps the answer is both. But one thing is certain: in a world increasingly cynical about wealth and power, turning a lavish wedding into a cultural contribution might just be the boldest vow of all.