Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have kicked off their wedding celebrations in extravagant style, hosting a foam-filled party aboard their $500 million superyacht Koru.
Their celebrations come despite mounting backlash from anti-capitalist protestors ahead of their nuptials in Venice.
The Amazon founder, 61, and his fiancée, 55, were photographed enjoying the sunshine off the coast of Croatia on Sunday, joined by friends and family.
In photos obtained by MailOnline, the couple, clad in swimsuits and covered in soap suds, appeared relaxed and affectionate as they embraced in the foam pit.
A “Happy Birthday” sign was spotted on board, with reports suggesting the event also marked Sánchez’s son Evan’s 19th birthday.
Their days-long wedding festivities, estimated to cost between $15 to $20 million, are happening in Venice this week.
However, the celebrations have drawn criticism from local activists.
Protest groups have promised to “block the canals” and “line the streets” in protest, with placards reading “No space for Bezos” and “Veniceland: A playground fit for an oligarch” already appearing around the city.
Organiser Federica Toninello told The New York Times that protestors have received leaked details about the couple’s schedule and plan to disrupt events, including one reportedly set to take place at the historic Misericordia.
One of the main frustrations among protesters is the impact mass tourism has had on Venice’s housing market, driving up costs and making it increasingly difficult for local residents to afford to live in the city.
Their wedding also arrives at the height of tourist season, with hotels across all price points close to full and tens of thousands of visitors arriving each day.
In response, the couple’s wedding planners, Lanza & Baucina Limited, insisted they are working closely with local institutions to ensure minimal disruption.
“From the outset, instructions from our client and our own guiding principles were abundantly clear: the minimizing of any disruption to the city, the respect for its residents and institutions and the overwhelming employment of locals in the crafting of the events,” Lanza & Baucina Limited said in a statement to Page Six.
“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.”
Bezos and Sánchez have also donated to various Venice-based charities in the lead up to their nuptials and made contributions on behalf of their guests.
The wedding guest list is said to include Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and performances from Lady Gaga and Elton John.
