Rooney weds sweetheart on Italian Riviera

| Fri, 06/13/2008 - 03:34

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney married his childhood sweetheart in a historic villa at this Italian Riviera resort on Thursday.

Rooney and Coleen McLaughlin tied the knot in a civil ceremony at a 17th-century mansion where singer Rod Stewart wed his fourth wife last year.

The service at Villa Durazzo was closely guarded because of a reported £2.5m deal with OK magazine.

The only Italian guest reporters were able to talk to said the spouse was in a short low-cut cream dress and the groom in a casual brown outfit without a tie.

The deputy mayor who did the honours, former footballer Giovanni Costa, appeared to be one of the most excited persons present, he said.

The unidentified informant added that, contrary to widespread reports, none of Rooney's fellow players attended.

He said it was just relatives and old friends.

The couple, both 22, sped off for a reception to a nearby abbey perched on the sea.

The guests will party through the night on a luxury yacht which has been moored off Portofino all week.

Italy is an increasingly popular venue for celebrity weddings.

Hollywood couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes married at a 15th-century castle on Lake Bracciano north of Rome in November 2006.

Several A-list guests like Will Smith said they would like to either marry or renew vows at similar locations.

George Clooney has a residence on Lake Como where he reportedly plans to settle down - if he ever gets married.

The Clooney villa has been touted as a possible venue for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to marry.

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