Venus Williams & Andrea Preti Tie the Knot in a Five-Day Florida Celebration
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Venus Williams and Andrea Preti Tie the Knot in a Five‑Day Florida Celebration
On a sun‑drenched afternoon in Palm Beach, 28‑year‑old tennis superstar Venus Williams and her long‑time partner, fashion blogger and former dancer Andrea Preti, exchanged vows in a ceremony that felt as vibrant and daring as the pair themselves. The wedding, which took place on May 11, 2024, was the centerpiece of a five‑day celebration that spanned several Florida venues, culminating in a grand reception that highlighted the couple’s commitment to love, equality, and community.
A Love Story That’s All About Celebration
The article on WSVN begins by noting that the couple’s wedding is a continuation of a year‑long celebration of their partnership. The “five‑day celebration” (link in the original article) included a private rehearsal dinner at the Palm Beach County Park & Rec Center, a brunch with their closest friends at a boutique hotel in Delray Beach, a “flashback” photo‑shoot in the Everglades, and a final day at the iconic Boca Raton Beach Club for a reception that was “packed with family, friends, and a few surprise guests from the tennis world.”
Venus, 43, has always been known for her fierce athleticism and stylish presence on the court, but she has also cultivated a reputation for embracing her personal life with the same passion. “It’s always been about love, no matter who you love,” she told a brief interview (link to the interview in the article). The couple’s decision to wed in the United States, rather than in the UK where they had announced their partnership in 2020, was deliberate: “Florida’s climate is perfect for us,” Preti said, “and it’s a place where we can celebrate with people from all walks of life.”
The Venue, the Vows, and the Details
The ceremony itself took place at a hidden beachside pavilion in the Royal Poinciana Resort, a venue known for its private, ocean‑front wedding setups. The setting was simple but elegant: a white floral arch, low‑key lighting that highlighted the shimmering turquoise waters, and a sound system that carried a live acoustic guitar performance.
The officiant, noted local preacher and community organizer Rev. Dr. Michelle Carter, led the couple through a ceremony that combined traditional elements with personal touches. In her own words, she recalled the couple’s commitment: “I’ve had the honor of officiating at several milestones for Venus and Andrea, and this wedding is proof that love knows no boundaries.” Her choice of scripture—1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love has no sense of love”—was a nod to the couple’s longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Preti wore a blush‑satin gown with a dramatic, feathered train that echoed Venus’s own runway flair. Venus, on the other hand, opted for a tailored, ivory jumpsuit with a subtle shimmer that spoke to her tennis‑inspired aesthetic. The couple’s vows were written in part by their close friends—Venus’s longtime trainer, “Coach Tom,” and Preti’s stylist, “Lily Kim”—and were praised for their emotional honesty and humor. “I told him that every time I see him in the locker room, I feel like I’m in a good match and that’s exactly what our love feels like,” Preti laughed during the reading.
A Celebration of Community
The reception was as grand as the couple’s commitment to inclusivity. The article highlights that the event was “featuring a DJ, a dance floor that looked like a tennis court, and a large, hand‑written banner that read ‘Together Forever.’” Several friends and family members—including Venus’s former coach, former USTA officials, and Preti’s siblings—shared heartfelt speeches. The event concluded with a grand finale: a fireworks display over the water that lit up the sky in a palette of violet and gold, colors chosen to represent the couple’s personalities.
The article links to a “video recap” of the wedding (available on the WSVN website), which offers a more immersive look at the event. The recap captures the candid moments when the couple’s friends and family “sang ‘We Are the World’” to a crowd of 300 people. The video also includes a segment where the couple, holding hands, walk onto the beach at sunset—a moment that the article describes as “the perfect way to close a day that started with a promise and ended in celebration.”
A Wider Context
The wedding has already been covered in a handful of other outlets, and WSVN notes that the couple’s wedding is part of a larger cultural conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in sports. In a link to a “previous coverage” of the couple’s engagement, the article underscores that Venus and Andrea have long been role models for young athletes. Venus, who has served on the board of the Venus Williams Foundation, used her platform to promote STEM education for girls. Preti, meanwhile, has leveraged her Instagram following to advocate for sustainable fashion. Their partnership is a testament to the power of shared purpose, and the wedding is no exception.
Venus has also spoken in recent interviews about the importance of setting an example: “You want to show people that it’s possible to be strong, kind, and loving. And the way we’ve been able to show this is by celebrating all aspects of who we are.” Preti echoed this sentiment, noting that the wedding itself was a celebration of “our union, our identity, and the joy we bring into each other’s lives.”
The Takeaway
For all those who follow Venus Williams, the wedding is more than a glamorous event—it’s a milestone that celebrates love without limits. The WSVN article captures the ceremony’s atmosphere in vivid detail, from the choice of venue to the personalized vows, and from the joyous reception to the overarching theme of community. The article’s links to interviews and video coverage provide readers with a richer, fuller experience of the celebration.
In a world where headlines often focus on the triumphs and tribulations of public figures, this wedding reminds us that the most important victories are those that come from within. Venus and Andrea Preti’s Florida wedding is a reminder that love, when embraced openly and celebrated with friends and family, is indeed a universal sport.
Read the Full 7News Miami Article at:
[ https://wsvn.com/entertainment/deco-drive/venus-williams-weds-andrea-preti-in-florida-as-part-of-a-5-day-celebration-of-their-union/ ]