Inside Venus Williams and Andrea Preti’s Grand Five-Day Wedding Celebration in Palm Beach
Tennis icon Venus Williams and Italian actor, producer, and model Andrea Preti turned their love story into a weeklong celebration of family, culture, resilience, and joy with an unforgettable five-day wedding experience hosted at their Palm Beach home.
Their journey began in 2024 at Milan Fashion Week, an encounter neither planned. Venus had joined her sisters for a spontaneous trip to Lake Como and decided, on a whim, to attend the Gucci show. Andrea, exhausted and unenthusiastic about attending, went anyway. Fate had other plans. After the show, former Gucci creative director Sabato De Sarno hosted a private aperitivo upstairs, where Andrea spotted Venus and introduced himself.
What started as a simple compliment blossomed into a conversation, first in Italian, then on WhatsApp, thanks to a nudge from Venus’s sister Lyn. From that moment, the connection was instant.
The two began texting nonstop and reunited shortly after in London, where Venus invited Andrea to breakfast with her family, no secrecy, no hesitation. Having spent six years single, Venus was clear about wanting something honest and straightforward. Andrea fit right in, confidently holding his own among what Venus jokingly described as a table of “OGs” powerful women who welcomed him warmly. That same week, Andrea accompanied Venus to the Serpentine Gala, quietly supporting her behind the scenes. Venus knew then: this was her future husband.
Their early relationship, however, was tested almost immediately. Just 10 days later, Venus was diagnosed with adenomyoma, a deeply emotional and physically challenging moment. Overwhelmed and uncertain, she leaned on Andrea, who stepped up without hesitation, connecting her with doctors in Italy and offering unwavering support. Venus soon traveled to Italy for surgery, grateful she had frozen her eggs years earlier. “It was crazy,” she reflects, “but that’s how we met, right in the middle of real life.”
Six months later, on January 31, 2025, Andrea proposed in Tuscany. After a day of thermal baths, massages, and quiet romance, he suggested they wish on a star during dinner. When Venus turned around, the ring was in his hand. Her response was pure Venus, jumping, laughing, and celebrating like she had just won a Grand Slam.
The couple first exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony in Ischia, Italy, on September 18. But due to international paperwork timelines, they decided to host a second, official wedding in Florida, one that honored Venus’s roots and allowed both families to fully celebrate together.
Planned by renowned event designer Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, who also organized Serena Williams’s 2017 wedding, the Palm Beach festivities unfolded over six unforgettable days.
Despite blustery winds, the energy remained electric. The celebrations kicked off with a yacht day gifted by Serena Williams herself, complete with food, music, laughter, and heartfelt bonding among close family and friends.
Each day featured pool parties at the couple’s home, bringing together Andrea’s Italian guests and Venus’s American loved ones in a warm, joyful fusion of cultures. Twenty-five of Andrea’s closest friends and family flew in from Italy, including his brother, his fiancée, and business partners from his organic restaurant in Rome.
Tuesday brought a playful, boudoir-themed bridal shower on the back patio. Venus dazzled in a Kim Kassas dress paired with David Yurman jewelry, embracing her love for fashion and fun. With help from stylist Kesha McLeod, Venus curated more than a dozen looks throughout the week, despite following Bridal Fashion Week entirely through Instagram due to her training schedule. The night ended with a Beyoncé-themed lip-sync battle that had everyone channeling their inner superstar, Serena included.
Wednesday took the celebration to Miami for an elegant Italian dinner at Sopra, a members-only club above Forte dei Marmi, curated by Andrea himself. Thursday turned competitive with a lighthearted sports day, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and obstacle courses, where Venus focused less on winning and more on enjoying the moment with her husband.
Friday morning began quietly and sacredly. The couple woke at 4 a.m. for an intimate courthouse ceremony, arriving early so they could have the space entirely to themselves. Venus described it as calm, spiritual, and profoundly moving. She wore a custom Morilee New York dress, one of ten created just for her, followed by a chic exit outfit to keep things understated.
The main wedding day was nothing short of magical. Venus prepared in a Georges Hobeika gown that shimmered like the ocean, chosen to reflect Florida’s beauty and Andrea’s taste. Andrea, meanwhile, enjoyed a calm breakfast with his parents, reassuring his emotional mother that he was already fully committed in his heart.
The ceremony was rich with meaning. Andrea walked in with his mother to “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5, symbolizing her unwavering support for Venus. Venus made her entrance to “Ovunque Sarai” by Irama, a song deeply connected to Andrea’s late grandmother. The moment moved him to tears, a private tribute woven into a public celebration.
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The couple exchanged heartfelt, self-written vows in both English and Italian, before recessing joyfully to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Their first dance followed to “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos, chosen by Andrea.
The night ended with a high-energy after-party, complete with a party bus, late-night dancing, and laughter until 2 a.m. Though Andrea retired early with their dog, Venus danced the night away, soaking in every last second.
Reflecting on the week, Venus summed it up simply and beautifully: “It was the happiest, most beautiful, sweetest day. We all love each other so much.”
