Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez arrive in Venice ahead of wedding

The reality TV star has been spotted arriving in Venice ahead of the lavish wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his former TV journalist fiancee Lauren Sánchez. See the photos, video.

Kim Kardashian and her mum Kris Jenner have been spotted in Venice ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez luxury wedding.

The reality TV stars were seen boarding a water taxi at the Venice Marco Polo airport on Thursday.

Kardashian, who was wearing sunglasses and black ensemble comprising of a Balenciaga skirt and a small piece of fabric tied across her chest, was offered help as she stepped onto the boat.

They are expected to join about 200 guests who have been invited to the festivities, including famous actors, singers and high profile business people.

US reality TV personalities Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner board a taxi boat at Venice Marco Polo airport ahead of Jeff Bezos' wedding. Picture: AFP

US reality TV personalities Kim Kardashian walks to board a taxi boat at Venice Marco Polo airport ahead of Jeff Bezos' wedding. Picture: AFP

Earlier, the engaged couple arrived in the water city — just days before they plan to say “I do” during a lavish ceremony.

The former journalist, 55, and the Amazon founder, 61, were photographed getting out of their helicopter in style and being helped into a water taxi.

The happy couple looked to be in high spirits. Picture: AFP

The couple enter a palace in Venice, Italy, ahead of festivities in the lagoon city. Picture: AP

Lauren Sanchez smiles for the cameras. Picture: AFP

The celebrations are set to last for three days. Picture: AFP

Bezos was surrounded by security. Picture: AFP

The couple were spotted leaving the luxury Aman Venice hotel. Picture: AFP

Sánchez looked chic in a sleeveless black dress, sky-high stilettos and sunglasses, while Bezos wore white pants and a black polo.

The two were clearly in good spirits, smiling and waving at onlookers in their water taxi.

Sánchez was also snapped with a big smile on her face as she was being escorted into a tent by security.

The couple and their guests are staying at the ultra luxe Aman Venice.

Wedding guests including Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner’s boyfriend Corey Gamble, Jeff Bezos’ adoptive father Miguel “Mike” Bezos and billionaire businessman Barry Diller were also snapped on their way to the festivities.

Jeff Bezos appeared delighted by the attention. Picture: AP

There were kissed all around from Sanchez. Picture: AFP

A fleet of multimillion-dollar superyachts has descended upon Venice ahead of the wedding, including Michael Jordan’s $A177 million megayacht, M’ Brace.

The happy couple’s arrival comes after their wedding party had to be moved to a more remote part of the city of water following protests and security concerns.

Corey Gamble, the boyfriend of Kim Kardashian’s mother Kris Jenner, has also arrived for the festivities. Picture: AFP

The Amazon founder’s father Miguel Bezos has also arrived in Venice. Picture: AFP

US businessman Barry Diller was also spotted hopping on board a water taxi. Picture: AFP

WEDDING VENUE MOVED FOR SECURITY REASONS

Reuters reported that a wedding party for the power couple was “moved to an isolated, less accessible part of the lagoon city on security concerns and to prevent the risk of protests,” according to their sources.

They’d reportedly originally planned to hold the fête in Cannaregio, but changed plans in light of protests held by groups under the banner of “No space for Bezos,” who’ve threatened to throw themselves into canals and block streets to shut down the wedding due in protest of tourism.

A large banner against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' planned wedding, in St. Mark Square, in Venice. Picture: Greenpeace via AP

A source told The New York Post’s Page Six that in advance of the couple’s arrival, “10 or 12 security guys were doing a sweep” through the luxury property on Tuesday.

“They were looking in cabinets and checking out the courtyard,” said the insider.

A source said the scene in the lobby was “chaotic,” and they were asking people if they were staying at the hotel.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to marry in Venice. Picture: AFP

An insider said, “Guests who had previously booked [at] the hotel for Wednesday night a long time in advance were booted once Bezos rented the entire space a few months ago.”

The source said that, “Those guests are being moved to other hotels including the St. Regis,” and that, “Aman is paying for their rooms in addition to comping a night of their stay and offering upgrades.”

The luxury Aman hotel in Venice will host guests attending the wedding. Picture: AFP

But apparently “some are griping that they have to pack up, take transport [Aman provided] and unpack again” elsewhere.

The hotel did not immediately respond.

Employees at the spot were talking about the upcoming festivities, and apparently the spa workers were feeling “harried” as they prepped for the “loads of extra work they have ahead of them from demanding A-list guests.”

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner board a taxi boat after their arrival at Venice Marco Polo airport. Picture: AFP

Sources say there’s a wing of the hotel for celebs that’s hidden from photographers, and guests have included Kylie Jenner in the past.

At other ritzy Venice spots, security was also being beefed up as A-listers arrive for Bezos and Sanchez’s opulent Italian wedding.

Seven Italian police officers were spotted Tuesday afternoon inside the lobby of the luxe St. Regis Venice, where VIP wedding guests are said to be staying.

Ivanka Trump arrives at the St Regis Hotel ahead of the wedding. Picture: AFP

Guests checking in were asked to wait outside, said a source.

“They were holding people at the door and one more cop was stationed outside,” said the witness.

“It seemed like maybe someone important was checking in. The manager was making sure that even those who had luggage had reservations. One member of the family was let inside to check in while the others waited.”

A source told The Post the police presence was “not normal,” for the hotel, where rooms go for nearly $US2000 ($A3090) per night.

Jared Kushner and two of his children stand on a taxi boat as they arrive at the St Regis Hotel ahead of the wedding. Picture: AFP

Another group who had lunch reservations at the spot’s restaurant, Gio’s, were also made to wait.

Once inside, no celebs were spotted, though two anonymous men were being given a tour of the bar and first floor area.

One local said that they were surprised to see a boat filled with police out on the water.

Security is part of the Amazon billionaire’s daily life. Bezos reportedly spent $US1.6 million ($A2.5m) in 2023 on security, and that he had $US180,000 ($A277,000) bulletproof glass panels put into his office in 2019.

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner board a taxi boat after their arrival at Venice Marco Polo airport. Picture: AFP

The tech magnate and journalist have reportedly invited about 200 guests to their multimillion-dollar nuptials in the Italian city, which are expected to kick off Thursday and end Saturday with a ceremony at a secret location.

Sources with “direct knowledge” told TMZ one of the theme nights will be a Great Gatsby-themed cocktail party where guests will dress like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famed character.

There are rumours the rite may take place at the historic Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse.

High-profile guests expected at the wedding include Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Barbra Streisand and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.

This story originally appeared in The New York Post.

Originally published as Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez arrive in Venice ahead of wedding