Love and Longevity: Venus Williams Marries Andrea Preti in a Radiant Palm Beach Celebration
PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a ceremony that blended the glamour of the fashion world with the grit of a sporting legend, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams married Danish-born Italian actor and model Andrea Preti this past weekend. The wedding, a multi-day extravaganza in South Florida, serves as a poignant milestone for the 45-year-old Williams, who is simultaneously preparing for an unprecedented 33rd season on the WTA Tour.
The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in 2024, officially tied the knot in an intimate courthouse ceremony on Friday, followed by a lavish celebration on Saturday at their sprawling Mediterranean-style estate in Jupiter, Florida.
A Week of Festivities: From Yacht Days to Sports Challenges
The “Palm Beach wedding” was far more than a single afternoon exchange of vows. According to reports from Vogue, the festivities spanned five days, beginning with a curated yacht day gifted by Venus’s sister, Serena Williams. The close-knit group of about a dozen family members and friends enjoyed a day on the water, setting a relaxed tone for the week ahead.
The week’s schedule reflected the couple’s high-energy lifestyle:
- Monday: Yacht excursion hosted by Serena Williams.
- Tuesday: A boudoir-themed bridal shower on the patio, where guests enjoyed an Asian-fusion dinner and participated in a high-stakes lip-sync battle to Beyoncé hits.
- Wednesday: An Italian-themed dinner at the Sopra Members’ Club in Miami, organized by Preti to honor his heritage.
- Thursday: A “Sports Day” featuring a competitive mix of tennis, volleyball, dodgeball, and pickleball—a fitting tribute to the bride’s legendary career.
The Fashion: A Masterclass in Bridal Style
For a woman who has spent decades as a fashion icon and founder of the activewear brand EleVen, the wedding wardrobe was a high-stakes affair. Venus reportedly utilized ten different designer looks throughout the week, but two gowns stole the spotlight:
- The Courthouse Look: For the legal ceremony on Friday morning, Williams chose a custom Morilee New York outfit, paired with a classic headpiece. The couple reportedly arrived at the courthouse at 4 a.m. to ensure a “calm, sacred, and private” moment to themselves.
- The Main Event: For Saturday’s ceremony, Venus stunned in a custom Georges Hobeika gown. The dress featured a structured corset bodice with intricate white lace and embroidery layered over a semi-sheer nude base—a design Venus described as reflective of the sea. She completed the look with a long tulle veil and simple diamond jewelry.
Preti, 37, brought his own sense of style to the altar. The Danish-born model and producer, known for his work in the Italian series Un Professore and the film One More Day, walked down the aisle to the strains of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There.”
A Journey of Shared Support
The couple’s love story began at Milan Fashion Week in 2024, an event both nearly skipped due to exhaustion. “I just knew I was going to marry him,” Venus told Vogue. “People always say they just know, and I just knew.”
The relationship has been a stabilizing force as Venus navigated a challenging return to the professional tour. After a 16-month hiatus due to injury, she returned to competition in July at the DC Open. It was there that she first publicly acknowledged Preti, thanking him during an emotional on-court interview for encouraging her to keep playing when she felt like “coasting.”
“My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing. There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill.” — Venus Williams, July 2025
Looking Ahead: The 33rd Season and the Met Gala
Marriage has not slowed Williams’s professional ambitions. She has officially accepted a wildcard entry for the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, scheduled for January 2026. This will mark her 33rd consecutive season on the WTA Tour, a feat of longevity virtually unmatched in modern sports.
Beyond the court, 2026 is set to be a massive year for Williams’s cultural legacy. Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that Venus will co-chair the 2026 Met Gala alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Wintour. The theme, “Costume Art,” will explore the relationship between the dressed body and historical art forms—a subject perfectly suited for an athlete who has spent her career redefining the aesthetics of her sport.
Quick Facts: The Williams-Preti Union
| Detail | Fact |
| Groom | Andrea Preti (Actor/Model, born in Denmark, raised in Italy) |
| Engagement | January 31, 2025 |
| Legal Wedding | December 19, 2025 (Palm Beach Courthouse) |
| Celebration Song | “Ovunque Sarai” by Irama (Tribute to Preti’s grandmother) |
| Venus’s Rank | Former World No. 1, 7-time Grand Slam Champion |
| Upcoming Project | Co-chairing the 2026 Met Gala |
