Here comes the bride!
Venus Williams and Andrea Preti said “I do!” over the weekend in a five-day celebration in Palm Beach, Fla. that was fit for a queen.
Details of the week-long festival, revealed exclusively in *Vogue*, followed a Sept. 18 ceremony in Preti’s native Italy. Dozens of the couple’s friends and family attended several scheduled events, including daily pool parties at the couple’s shared home, a boudoir-themed bridal shower, and a sports day complete with volleyball, tennis, dodgeball, wheelbarrow races, and pickleball.
Williams estimated that she and her personal stylist Kesha McLeod put together more than a dozen fashionable looks for the various events and activities.
The week was planned by Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, who also coordinated Serena Williams’ wedding to Alexis Ohanian in 2017, and little sis, of course, played a key part in her older sister’s big day. She gifted the couple a Monday night yacht party where she “arranged all the food, everything,” according to the new bride.
“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,” she said.
Serena also penned a heartfelt note to Venus on Instagram, writing that “watching [her] step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise.”
“From the backyard courts to the biggest stages in the world, you’ve always led with grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy,” Serena wrote. “You’ve been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose. Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant … it means everything to me. I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always.”
After a Friday courthouse ceremony that Williams dubbed “beautiful, calm, sacred, exciting, and exalting” and also “just a dream,” she ultimately took her wedding vows a day later in a Georges Hobeika dress, The sheer white mermaid-style gown was covered with intricate beading, and featured a plunging sweetheart neckline and dainty straps.
“I wanted to wear a dress that I thought Andrea would love and that was magical and perfect for a Florida wedding,” she said.
“It was just perfect. The way it sparkles, the transparency—it reminds me of the ocean and sea.”