Tennis icon Venus Williams has officially tied the knot with her Italian fiancé, actor and model Andrea Preti, in a glamorous stateside ceremony. The couple celebrated their union with a week of festivities in Palm Beach, Florida, this December, despite battling uncharacteristically windy weather.
A Dual Celebration Across Continents
The sporting legend, 45, and her now-husband, 37, had initially exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Italy back in September. However, they opted for a second celebration in the United States due to lengthy European bureaucracy. Williams revealed to Vogue that the official paperwork in Italy could take months to process, prompting the decision to hold another event for friends and family on American soil.
Their wedding week in Florida was an extravagant affair, spanning six days of luxurious dinners and parties leading up to the main ceremony. In an exclusive interview, the happy couple detailed a jam-packed itinerary filled with close friends and family.
Battling the Elements for a Perfect Day
Williams took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the nearly disrupted celebrations. She told her millions of followers that Florida was "uncharacteristically windy" throughout the week, forcing the festivities indoors at times. Sharing a photo from the first dinner, she wrote: "You wouldn't believe how the wind was blowing outside. But it was calm and lovely inside. I was hoping the bad weather would stave off for the wedding weekend!"
Despite the gusts, the pictures from their big day show a radiant couple unaffected by the conditions. The Vogue feature also noted the "lots of windy weather" that accompanied their week of events, which began a full six days before they said 'I do'.
Training and Triumph: A Supportive Partnership
Even amidst the whirlwind of wedding preparations, the dedicated athlete maintained her rigorous training schedule. Williams confessed on social media that she kept up with her tennis training every morning, balancing sport with the demands of planning a major celebration.
It was on the tennis court earlier this year that Williams first publicly confirmed her engagement to Preti. After a comeback singles win at the DC Open following a 16-month absence, she praised his unwavering support from the crowd. "My fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing," she said, to huge applause.
She elaborated on the mental and physical challenge, stating: "There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis?... It’s 9 to 5 except you’re running the whole time. Lifting weights and just like dying and then you repeat it the next day. So he encouraged me to get through this." She also shared the sweet detail that, prior to that match, Preti had never seen her play professionally.
The Palm Beach celebration marks the joyful culmination of their romantic journey, proving that a little wind was no match for their festive spirit.
