Venus Williams Andrea Preti Wedding: Why the Tennis Legend Married Twice

Venus Williams just did something most of us wouldn't dream of doing. She got married. Twice. To the same guy.

Honestly, when news broke that the seven-time Grand Slam champion finally tied the knot with Italian actor Andrea Preti, the internet basically had a meltdown. We've watched Venus for decades. We know her as the stoic, fierce, private queen of the court. Seeing her in a flurry of white lace and "I dos" feels like a major cultural shift.

But here’s the kicker: it wasn't just one ceremony. The Venus Williams Andrea Preti wedding was a two-act play that spanned across the Atlantic, from the rugged cliffs of Ischia to the palm trees of Florida.

The Ischia "Secret" Wedding

It all started back in September 2025. While everyone was busy analyzing her US Open performance, Venus was quietly heading to Italy. She and Andrea chose Ischia, a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, for their first exchange of vows.

Why Italy? Well, that’s where they met. Legend has it they crossed paths at a Gucci event during Milan Fashion Week in 2024. Talk about a meet-cute. Andrea apparently told her she was beautiful, she answered in Italian (yeah, she’s fluent, no big deal), and her sister Lyn actually acted as the wingwoman by swapping WhatsApp info with him.

The September 18 ceremony in Ischia was the "dream" wedding. But here’s the reality check: Italian red tape is a nightmare.

Because Venus is a foreigner, getting the legal paperwork finished in Italy can take upwards of eight months. They didn't have eight months. So, they had the beautiful, emotional ceremony in the Mediterranean sun, but they couldn't actually make it "government official" right then and there.

📖 Related: Is The Weeknd a Christian? The Truth Behind Abel’s Faith and Lyrics

Moving the Party to Palm Beach

By the time December 2025 rolled around, the couple was ready to make it legal. They headed to Venus’s home turf: Palm Beach, Florida.

This wasn't just a quick trip to the courthouse. It was a five-day marathon of events. We're talking yacht parties (gifted by Serena, obviously), bridal showers, and a massive "sports day" where the guests probably got a taste of what it's like to train like a Williams sister.

On December 19, they finally hit the courthouse. Venus wore a Morilee New York dress for the legal bit. Andrea described this day as the "second-best day of his life," which is kind of sweet if you think about it. The first-best was the original wedding in Italy.

The Fashion: 14 Looks?

Look, Venus doesn't do anything halfway. She’s a fashion mogul herself, so nobody was surprised when reports surfaced that she cycled through 14 different bridal looks throughout the week.

• The Courthouse: Morilee New York.
• The Main Reception: A stunning Georges Hobeika gown.
• The After-Party: Veni Infantino paired with Betsey Johnson shoes.

She even wore a custom Kim Kassas Couture piece for her bridal shower. Her stylists, Kesha McLeod and Kyla Thomas, must have been working overtime. It’s a lot of clothes. But then again, if you’re Venus Williams, you can wear whatever you want.

Who Exactly is Andrea Preti?

People keep asking: "Who is this guy?"

👉 See also: Shannon Tweed Net Worth: Why She is Much More Than a Rockstar Wife

Andrea Preti is 37. He was born in Denmark but moved to Italy as a teenager. He’s an actor, a producer, and a former model. You might have seen him in the Italian series A Professor or his film One More Day.

He’s not just a pretty face, though. Venus has been very vocal about how much he’s helped her. After her comeback win at the DC Open in July 2025, she literally pointed him out in the stands. She said he was the one who encouraged her to keep playing when she just wanted to "coast and chill."

Tennis is hard. It’s a 9-to-5 where you’re sprinting and lifting weights until you’re "dying," as she put it. Having someone in your corner who isn't a coach or a family member, but a partner who sees the human behind the athlete, clearly changed the game for her.

What Most People Get Wrong

The biggest misconception? That this was a "whirlwind" romance.

It actually wasn't. They were first spotted together on a boat in Nerano back in July 2024. They spent over a year dating privately, vacationing in the Bahamas, and supporting each other's careers before they ever confirmed anything.

They got engaged on January 31, 2025, in Tuscany. They kept that ring under wraps for months, even though eagle-eyed fans spotted it during practice sessions in Rome.

✨ Don't miss: Kellyanne Conway Age: Why Her 59th Year Matters More Than Ever

Why This Wedding Actually Matters

For years, the narrative around Venus was about her health struggles with Sjogren’s syndrome and her "impending" retirement. This wedding flips that script.

It shows a woman who is entering a new chapter without closing the old one. Just days after the Florida festivities, she was back on a plane to Australia for the 2026 Australian Open. She’s 45 and playing her 33rd season on the WTA tour.

Marriage didn't slow her down; it seemingly refueled her.

Key Details from the Ceremony

• The Music: Andrea walked down the aisle to "I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5. Venus entered to "Ovunque Sarai" by Irama, a song that reminds her of her grandmother who passed during the pandemic.
• The Vows: They wrote their own. They were delivered in a mix of English and Italian.
• The Dog: Venus's 18-year-old senior dog, Harry, was involved. You can't have a Williams event without the dogs.
• The Planner: They used Jennifer Zabinski (JZ Events). If that name sounds familiar, it's because she’s the one who handled Serena’s wedding to Alexis Ohanian in 2017.

Actionable Takeaways for Fans

If you're following the Venus Williams and Andrea Preti journey, there are a few things to keep an eye on:

1. Watch the Australian Open 2026: Venus is playing, and Andrea is likely to be a fixture in her player box. The "husband effect" is real.
2. Look for the Vogue Spread: The exclusive photos from the Palm Beach ceremony are circulating, providing a closer look at those 14 outfits.
3. Follow EleVen by Venus: Expect some bridal-inspired drops or new collections. She’s clearly in a high-fashion, high-romance headspace right now.

Venus is proof that you don't have to choose between a legendary career and a happy personal life. You can have both. Even if it takes two weddings to make it stick.