Tennis superstar and global icon, Venus Williams, has officially tied the knot with her partner, Andrea Preti. The celebrated athlete confirmed her marriage in a stylish feature with Vogue magazine, revealing that the couple celebrated their union with not one, but two separate wedding ceremonies held in Italy and the United States.
A Dream Italian Wedding and a Practical Second Ceremony
The couple's first wedding celebration was a dream come true, taking place on September 18 in Ischia, Italy. Venus explained to Vogue that while Italy was their dream location, bureaucratic hurdles as a foreigner meant the paperwork could take up to eight months. "We had this dream to do our wedding in Italy, but we didn’t have enough time to do the paperwork," she said. This practical challenge led to their unique decision to have a second, legal ceremony later.
Honouring Venus's roots, the pair chose Palm Beach, Florida for their second wedding. They enlisted the expertise of Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, the same planner behind her sister Serena Williams' lavish 2017 wedding, ensuring a flawlessly executed event.
A Week of Festivities and Emotional Vows
The Florida celebration was not just a single day but a full week of joyous events. It kicked off with a generous gift from sister Serena: a private yacht experience for their closest family and friends. "We started on Monday. Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht... We had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends... and we were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other," Venus recounted happily.
The week also featured a bridal shower and a romantic dinner at Miami's exclusive Sopra members' club. The legal courthouse ceremony finally happened on December 19, with Venus wearing a stunning gown by Morilee New York. Preti described this intimate moment as "very unique, emotional, and deep," calling it the second-best day of his life.
The Main Ceremony: A Tribute to Family
The main wedding celebration, held after the courthouse formalities, was filled with personal tributes. Andrea Preti made his entrance with his mother to the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," a song he said symbolized his mother's unwavering support for Venus. Venus herself walked down the aisle to "Ovunque Sarai" by Irama, a poignant choice that reminded her of her late grandmother.
After exchanging self-written vows, the newlyweds recessed to Stevie Wonder's classic "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and shared their first dance to The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You." The loving occasion culminated in a vibrant after-party at Sophia’s Hobe Sound in Hobe Sound, Florida, surrounded by their joyous guests.
This double wedding beautifully merged the couple's dream Italian backdrop with the comfort of a home-state celebration, marking the beginning of Venus Williams and Andrea Preti's life together as a married couple.
