Tennis icon Venus Williams has opened up about celebrating her marriage not once, but twice, to Danish-born actor and model Andrea Preti. The couple first exchanged vows in a romantic Italian ceremony before hosting a second, larger celebration in Palm Beach, Florida, just three months later.
The Dream Italian Wedding and the Paperwork Hurdle
In an exclusive interview with Vogue, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion revealed the heartfelt reason for the dual ceremonies. Williams, 45, shared that the pair had always dreamed of getting married in Italy. Their first wedding took place on September 18, 2025, in Ischia, Italy.
However, logistical challenges related to international marriage paperwork prompted the second event. "We didn’t have enough time to do the paperwork — because I’m a foreigner, it can take about eight months," Williams explained. "So we decided to have a second wedding." This practical solution allowed them to honor their dream while legally solidifying their union in the United States.
A Florida Celebration Rooted in Family and Fun
The second ceremony, held in Palm Beach, Florida, was designed to reflect Williams's personal roots and was a multi-day extravaganza. According to Vogue, the celebration "focused more on Venus’s Florida roots" and stretched across five days of events.
The festivities included a bridal shower, a pool party, and a uniquely energetic "Sports Day" featuring games like pickleball, dodgeball, wheelbarrow races, volleyball, and, of course, tennis. The legal courthouse ceremony occurred on a Friday, which groom Andrea Preti described as "very unique, emotional and deep," followed by the main ceremony and reception on Saturday.
A Legendary Sister's Gift
The celebration kicked off with a spectacular gift from Venus's sister, fellow tennis legend Serena Williams. Serena gifted the couple a yacht for the occasion, complete with all arrangements. "Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything," Venus said. "We had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends who were in town on the boat, and we were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other."
For the Palm Beach wedding, Venus Williams wore a stunning gown by designer Georges Hobeika, which she selected thinking "Andrea would love and that was magical and perfect for a Florida wedding."
From Milan to Marriage: A Swift Romance
The couple's relationship moved quickly after they first met in February 2024 during Milan Fashion Week. Their budding romance coincided with a challenging period for Williams, who was soon after diagnosed with an adenomyoma and underwent surgery to remove associated fibroids.
Despite this health hurdle, their bond strengthened. Andrea Preti proposed on January 31, 2025, in Tuscany, though Williams did not publicly confirm the engagement until July of that year during a post-match interview.
Venus Williams's career is the stuff of legend, boasting seven Wimbledon singles titles, two U.S. Open championships, and finals appearances at both the Australian and French Opens. She has also secured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and four Olympic gold medals. Andrea Preti has built a career in film, notably writing, directing, and starring in the 2015 movie "One More Day."
