Tennis icon Venus Williams has officially begun a new chapter in her life, exchanging vows with Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti. The couple celebrated their union with an elaborate, five-day series of wedding events in Florida, USA. Exclusive photographs from the celebrations were published by Vogue on Tuesday, December 23, offering a glimpse into the personal and joyous occasion that beautifully blended love, sports, and family.
A Transatlantic Affair: Two Weddings Across Two Countries
The marriage is the culmination of a romance that first made headlines in 2024, leading to an engagement on January 31, 2025. Due to the complex legal paperwork required for an international marriage between the United States and Italy, the pair decided to celebrate their love in more than one location, effectively turning their nuptials into a week-long transatlantic memory.
Before the Florida festivities, Venus Williams and Andrea Preti held an intimate wedding ceremony earlier this year in Ischia, Italy, which is Preti's hometown. Williams revealed to Vogue that the couple had always dreamed of marrying in Italy but were constrained by the lengthy bureaucratic process. "We had this dream to do our wedding in Italy," she said. "But we didn't have enough time to do the paperwork. So we decided to have a second wedding."
The Florida Celebration: A Week of Love and Laughter
This practical decision led to the grand, five-day celebration in Florida, designed to include both of their families. The main events were hosted in Palm Beach, Florida, where Williams grew up alongside her legendary sister, Serena Williams. Friends and relatives arrived early to spend a full week together, creating a festive atmosphere.
The wedding week kicked off on a Monday with a private yacht party, a generous gift from Serena Williams. The event featured close family, delicious food, and music. Venus described the intimate gathering of about 10 to 12 loved ones, where the group simply enjoyed each other's company, talking, laughing, and dancing. "They always say weddings go so fast, and they do," Williams remarked. "We were just enjoying each other."
The subsequent days were packed with bridal showers, themed dinners, pool parties, and a particularly lively sports day. The sports day showcased Williams' competitive spirit with games of dodgeball and pickleball. Interestingly, the tennis champion chose not to captain any team, preferring instead to play alongside her new husband, Andrea.
The Official Moment and Personal Touches
The legal formalities were completed with an early morning courthouse wedding in Palm Beach at 6:45 a.m., a time chosen to ensure privacy. Andrea Preti described this quiet moment as deeply emotional and special. Following this, the couple held another ceremonial celebration to continue the joyous week.
Throughout the Florida events, Venus Williams made several stunning appearances in custom bridal outfits that perfectly mixed elegance with a sense of fun, reflecting her personal style. The entire celebration stood as a testament to their journey, successfully merging their worlds—sports and cinema, America and Italy—into a unified and happy beginning.
