Tennis luminary Venus Williams has officially celebrated her marriage to Italian model Andrea Preti, marking their union with two distinct yet equally significant events. An intimate ceremony took place in Preti’s native Italy on September 18, 2023, fulfilling a long-held desire for the couple. This was followed by an elaborate five-day series of festivities held in Palm Beach, Florida, a location deeply significant to Williams, where she and her sister, Serena, spent their formative years. The dual celebrations underscored a blend of cultural heritage and personal history for the newly wedded pair.
The initial nuptial celebration in Italy, described by Williams as a cherished dream, encountered unforeseen administrative hurdles. The extensive paperwork often required for a foreign national to marry in Italy, which can take up to eight months to process, initially delayed their plans for a grander Italian affair. Despite these logistical complexities, the couple proceeded with a private ceremony, ensuring their commitment was first sealed in Preti’s homeland, reflecting a deep respect for his roots and their shared European connection.
Prompted by the bureaucratic delays for their Italian wedding, Williams and Preti orchestrated a more expansive and prolonged celebration in Palm Beach, Florida. This decision transformed a potential setback into an opportunity for a vibrant, week-long commemoration of their marriage, allowing them to share their joy with a broader circle of family and friends in a place that holds profound personal meaning for the tennis legend. The extensive schedule aimed to create lasting memories, embracing both traditional and uniquely personal elements.
The Florida festivities commenced on a Monday, with an intimate gathering aboard a luxurious yacht, a thoughtful gift from Williams’ sister, Serena. Approximately 10 to 12 close family members and friends joined the couple for an evening of relaxed camaraderie, fine dining, and music, setting a tone of warmth and closeness for the week ahead. The celebrations continued on Tuesday with a lively bridal shower hosted on the couple’s back patio, featuring an Asian fusion dinner and an energetic session of dancing to Beyoncé songs, led by Williams and her bridal party, including Serena.
Mid-week, on Wednesday, the newlyweds and their inner circle journeyed to Miami for a romantic and exclusive dinner, providing a moment of refined intimacy amidst the broader festivities. Thursday brought a spirited sports day, a fitting tribute to Williams’ distinguished athletic career. The day was filled with various competitive yet friendly activities, including volleyball, tennis, dodgeball, wheelbarrow races, and pickleball. Williams expressed her enjoyment in participating simply as a team member alongside her husband, rather than taking on a leadership role, highlighting her desire for shared experience.
The culmination of the week occurred on Friday morning with a courthouse wedding in Palm Beach, held at 6:45 a.m. The early hour was deliberately chosen for its quiet solitude, creating an atmosphere Williams described as “beautiful, calm, sacred, exciting, and exalting,” truly a dream realized. Preti echoed these sentiments, finding the courthouse ceremony “very unique, emotional, and deep,” ranking it as the second-best day of his life, surpassed only by their initial, private Italian union, underscoring its profound significance.
The couple’s romance first garnered public attention in July 2023, when they were photographed together on a boat along Italy’s picturesque Amalfi Coast, sparking widespread interest. Speculation regarding their engagement intensified in February 2023, following the emergence of photographs showing Williams wearing a prominent diamond ring during a tennis practice session. Williams later confirmed that Preti’s proposal had taken place earlier that year, on January 31, 2023, during a romantic trip to Tuscany, solidifying their commitment.
Williams shared the intricate details of Preti’s romantic proposal during an interview, revealing a moment imbued with spontaneity and personal significance. While in Tuscany, Preti suggested they make wishes upon a visible star. Following this shared moment, he unexpectedly presented the ring, leading to Williams’ joyous reaction — a combination of jumping, laughing, and smiling, akin to her celebratory responses after securing major victories on the tennis court. The proposal was a testament to their deep connection and shared happiness.
The couple’s initial encounter occurred in 2023 during Milan Fashion Week, where their paths first crossed, sparking the beginning of their relationship. Their connection deepened through a series of texts and subsequent meetings in London, laying the groundwork for a burgeoning romance. Williams eventually introduced Preti to her family, a crucial step in their journey, indicating the seriousness and progression of their relationship before their public debut and subsequent engagement and marriage celebrations.
