Jessica Testoni is a lifelong resident of Venice who runs a souvenir stall in the city center. Business Insider spoke to her ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding in the city. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I was born and raised in Venice, and I run a souvenir stall near the Doge’s Palace in the city’s touristic center. Before me, it was my father’s stall. We’ve been here a long time.
Living here my whole life means that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding isn’t the first celebrity wedding I’ve seen, and I hope that it won’t be the last.
Celebrity weddings around here aren’t unusual. Back in August 2022, one stood out: I remember the buzz around San Zaccaria as preparations got underway for Olympic gold medalist and champion swimmer Federica Pellegrini’s wedding to her coach, Matteo Giunta.
Celebrities come to Venice all the time. I think it’s a good thing. It brings more people to our stalls. While Bezos’ guests might not be shopping here — it’s for more normal people — it brings even more attention to the city.
It benefits the businesses here. Every time a celebrity wedding is on the news, it puts Venice even more on the map.
This past week, there have been protests against the wedding. I’ve seen them.
On Monday, Greenpeace rolled out a huge banner with Bezos’ face on San Marco Square. It said, “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”
On Tuesday, protesters climbed a crane near my stall by the Hotel Danieli and put up a sign that said, “Tax the rich to give back to the plane.”
On Thursday, a protester climbed a pole in San Marco Square.
These are the people causing disruption, not those involved in the wedding. The police and firemen have to deal with them, and their time is being wasted.
I don’t feel like the wedding has disrupted anything in the city yet. In fact, it’s the opposite. It has brought more jobs and opportunities to the people who work here.
Some people may say this city is becoming a playground for billionaires. But if these people have the financial means to come and visit, I’m OK with it. It helps businesses like mine.
On this occasion, I’m happy Bezos and Sanchez are getting married here. For one, I buy a lot from Amazon, so I feel like he is almost a business partner of mine.
And secondly, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Who wouldn’t want to have a big wedding here?
