It was a day he vowed would never happen but on Saturday 27 September, George Clooney left his bachelor days behind him.
And the 53-year-old heartthrob was still celebrating on Sunday as he and his British human rights lawyer bride Amal Alamuddin, 36, hosted a brunch for family and friends at Hotel Cipriani in Venice.
The newlyweds made their first appearance as man and wife in a stylish watertaxi where they showed off their elegant wedding bands.
And there was no hiding their joy as they stood with their arms around each other and flashed large smiles.
George was clad in a grey suit, looking just as dapper as ever and his beautiful bride was positively glowing.
Her lace long-sleeved Giambattista Valli dress was dotted with bright flowers but it was the huge smile which captured attention as the duo shared their joy. Ever the gentleman, George held onto Amal as she navigated her way into the boat.
Proving his Hollywood royalty status, George and his bride finished off their perfect weekend with regal waves to the adoring crowds as they jetted across the pristine blue waters of Venice in a vintage-inspired wooden speed boat with the Italian word for love 'amore' adorned on the side.
But the romance didn't end there. Although hundreds of locals had flocked to the shore to catch a glimpse of the dazzling duo, George and Amal appeared absolutely besotted with one another; continually staring into each other's eyes.
The couple tied the knot at the seven-star Aman Canal Grande Hotel on Saturday night, in a ceremony conducted by their close friend and ex-mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni.
Adding a sentimental touch to the wedding, friends and family were gifted with a personal photo of the pair. In the image, a casually dressed George holds Amal around the waist and lovingly bites her sunhat as the lawyer beams with an ear-to-ear grin.
It's believed US Vogue has secured the rights to the wedding pictures and the couple will be donating the fee they receive to a charity of their choice. The pair reportedly banned guests from bringing mobile phones in a bid to prevent unauthorised pictures being leaked from the event.
TMZ also claims the Gravity actor devised a cunning plan which enabled punters to take photos, which he could monitor. According to the website, guests were given a specially made camera and code.
All images that were taken on the approved cameras were routed to a database that George's people could access, therefore if any photos were then touted to the media, George would immediately be able to track down the perpetrator.
Guests spent the evening celebrating in style at the stunning 450-year-old waterside venue, which features atmospheric lighting.
'George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin were married today in a private ceremony in Venice, Italy,' a rep for the silver fox confirmed.
The nuptials took place at the seven-star hotel sunset, with crowds lining the canal to cheer on George, who looked dapper in an Armani suit.
Following the ceremony, guests were met with champagne and canapes including polenta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto ham with figs, according to a source.
Ever the prankster, George kept the crowd entertained en route to his wedding, pulling a series of humorous expressions as he headed to meet his bride-to-be.
But one thing he couldn't hide was his excitement, grinning from ear-to-ear as he made his way along the Grand Canal.
Last night, dozens of celebrities were taking to Twitter to congratulate the actor on his wedding.
The actor was accompanied by his father Nick as he made the 15-minute journey from the Cipriani hotel to the exclusive Amal resort, where he was meeting his bride-to-be.
Clooney was joined by around 90 guests for the reception, members of their families as well as friends including U2 singer Bono, fellow actor Matt Damon and wife Luciana, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, Bill Murray, US Vogue editor Anna Wintour and many more.
Guests began arriving by chauffeur-driven taxi boats for the nuptials shortly before 6.30pm, with Matt Damon the first to arrive.
Wave after wave of guests were ferried to the waterfront entrance of the exclusive hotel over a period of 20 mins, which culminated in Mr Clooney's arrival just before 7pm as the sun was setting.
Meanwhile, hundreds of locals turned out to line the streets and alleyways along the canal on Saturday as they cheered on the Ocean's Eleven star, who briefly waved to the gathered crowds.
Mr Clooney's fiancée had remained inside the resort for the duration of the day following her hen party the previous night.
While Ms Alamuddin was busy preparing the event, George spent the day larking around the nearby Cipriani Hotel with his best man Randy Herber and his wife Cindy Crawford, following his stag night on Friday.
The sun has set on George Clooney's final days as a bachelor as he has married his stunning fiancée Amal Alamuddin in Venice.
Last night, a flotilla of vintage water taxis led an array of stars, family and friends away from the ceremony at the seven-star Aman Canal Grande Hotel.
Donning a black, grey and pink dress with a fur stole, Vogue editor Anna Wintour was pictured being helped on to a waiting boat by three employees.
She was closely followed by George's mother Nina and sister Adelia, actor Matt Damon, model Cindy Crawford, singer Bono and actress Emily Blunt.
Guests were expected to spend the evening celebrating in style at the stunning 450-year-old waterside venue, which features atmospheric lighting.
Earlier in the day, 53-year-old George and British human rights lawyer Amal were married by their close friend and ex-mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni.
'George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin were married today in a private ceremony in Venice, Italy,' a rep for the silver fox confirmed yesterday.
The nuptials took place at the seven-star hotel sunset, with crowds lining the canal to cheer on George, who looked dapper in an Armani suit.
Following the ceremony, guests were met with champagne and canapes including polenta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto ham with figs, according to a source.
And the wedding celebrations are reportedly continuing tomorrow, when the newlyweds will sit down for lunch with their guests.
Ever the prankster, George kept the crowd entertained en route to his wedding, pulling a series of humorous expressions as he headed to meet his bride-to-be.
But one thing he couldn't hide was his excitement, grinning from ear-to-ear as he made his way along the Grand Canal.
Last night, dozens of celebrities were taking to Twitter to congratulate the actor on his wedding.
American actor Max Greenfield tweeted: 'Congratulations to George Clooney', while comedian Jim Norton joked: 'George Clooney got married and a million ladies' hearts broke at the same time LOL'.
Actor Albert Brooks added: 'It's nice to see some people finally catch a break.'
The news of George's marriage comes as all eyes have been trained on the glamorous location, which has been flanked by a cavalcade of police boats and photographers throughout the event.
The actor was accompanied by his father Nick as he made the 15-minute journey from the Cipriani hotel to the exclusive Amal resort, where he was meeting his bride-to-be.
Clooney was joined by around 90 guests for the reception, during which the pair are though to have exchanged vows.
The couple were each joined by members of their families as well as friends including U2 singer Bono and fellow actor Matt Damon.
And the event is just one of the highlights of the couple's four-day wedding party.
Guests began arriving by chauffeur-driven taxi boats for the nuptials shortly before 6.30pm, with Matt Damon the first to arrive.
Wave after wave of guests were ferried to the waterfront entrance of the exclusive hotel over a period of 20 mins, which culminated in Mr Clooney's arrival just before 7pm as the sun was setting.
Sadly, George's long-time pal Ben Affleck couldn't make the event due to commitments to attend the premiere of his new movie Gone Girl during the New York Film Festival on Friday evening.
The new movie, which also Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry, sees Affleck star as Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy vanishes on their fifth wedding anniversary.
Her disappearance becomes the focus of an intense media circus and Nick sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.
Meanwhile, Ben's best friend and Good Will Hunting co-star Matt Damon was, of course, present and correct, bringing his wife Luciana Barroso to the no-expense spared ceremony.
Emily Blunt looked red carpet ready in her stunning blue keyhole gown featuring floral embellishment all over the garment. The British actress slicked her hair back into a chic updo and wore gold jewellery and accessories.
Emily was joined by her tuxedo-clad husband John Krasinski, and the couple joined Matt and the stunning wife Luciana on the water taxi to the event.
US Vogue editor Anna Wintour opted for a pink, grey, white and black colour theme, matching her fur stole to the pale shades of her dress and accessorising with sparkling jewels around her neck.
Actor Bill Murray was spotted in high spirits as he made his way to the venue on the boat.
Chuckling and waving at passers-by, Bill looked like he couldn't wait to get to the event hosted by his The Monuments Men co-star Bono stuck to his trademark black for his evening attire, but chose blue-tinted aviator sunglasses to wear for the night.
George and his British fiancee, 36, will officially sign the marriage register at the palatial 14th century Ca' Farsetti palazzo on Monday afternoon. The building houses Venice's town hall.
The couple requested that guests did not bring mobile phones to the actual ceremony in a bid to prevent unauthorised pictures being leaked from the event.
Sporting a wide grin, George, 53, was in high spirits during an al fresco breakfast outside the Belmond Hotel Cipriani on Saturday morning ahead of his marriage to human rights lawyer Amal.
The greying actor was joined by supermodel Cindy, 48, and her husband, 52-year-old businessman Rande after a boozy stag do the night before.
George was seen laughing and smiling with his companions before he began to speak with a photographer nearby. When being congratulated on his wedding, George joked: 'I'm not getting married'.
Curiously, the actor appeared to clutch a gift wrapped object as he departed with his two friends some time later.
The Hollywood star looked fresh-faced despite his late night out the night before which saw him spend his final night as a single man downing tequila shots and vintage red wine with his groomsmen.
During the meal the group were presented with thousands of pounds worth of vintage 2010 Sassicaia red wine, which costs up to £250 a bottle - a wedding present from restaurant owner Giovanni Fracassi.
His rumoured best man, Rande, had also brought several bottles of tequila, which the group enjoyed after their dinner at the exclusive eatery.
Meanwhile, preparations were well underway for the big day, with scaffolding being erected around the main jetty of the Aman Canal Grande Venice, which is hosting the wedding party.
Workers could be seen hauling in vast bouquets of ivory flowers, hinting at the colour scheme the pair have opted for.
George's actor buddy Matt Damon was also spotted enjoying a cocktail reception along with the groom at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani on Saturday afternoon.
A fierce bidding war has broken out among the world's biggest celebrity publications, who are all desperate to capture the moment that Oscar-winner Clooney finally says 'I do'.
It is understood that the US edition of fashion bible Vogue has all but secured the rights after bidding well in excess of £1million.
Back in 1989, George married actress Talia Balsam in a wedding officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator in Las Vegas.
This time around, the nuptials have been a far more stylish affair, as it is understood US Vogue secured the rights after bidding well in excess of £1 million.
However, there are said to have been further negotiations for a British celebrity magazine to share the rights with a seven-figure offer being made.
Any fee given to the couple will be donated to a charity of their choice. The couple have already requested that guests do not bring mobile phones in a bid to prevent unauthorised pictures being leaked from the event.
Hollywood royalty Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were also expected to attend the high profile ceremony.
George's actor cousin Miguel Ferrer, son of screen and singing legend Rosemary Clooney, was seen arriving with his wife Lori Weintraub on Friday, as was his Ocean's Thirteen co-star Ellen Barkin.
The path to happiness has not been an easy one for George.
He dated John Travolta's now-wife Kelly Preston for 14 months between 1987 and 1989, and is said to have been heartbroken that she dumped him for Charlie Sheen.
George then entered into his most serious romance (up until Amal) with fellow actress Talia Balsam.
Talia had actually dated George for three years before Kelly, and got back together two years later before driving to Vegas in a Winnebago to tie the knot. But after three years the couple divorced amid reports of arguments about money.
Clooney admitted in a Vanity Fair interview: 'I probably – definitely – wasn't someone who should have been married at that point. I just don't feel like I gave Talia a fair shot.'
Talia went on to marry Mad Men star John Slatterly, while George's next girlfriend was actress Kimberly Russell.
He dumped her in 1995 (by letter rather than face-to-face) allegedly because he wanted to see other women and take advantage of his blossoming fame after starring in TV drama ER.
After the split Kimberley said: ‘You have to enjoy the ride while it lasts — he’s simply not the marrying kind. The guy is an absolute charmer, but just don’t mention the words “marriage, commitment or babies”.’
His second longest relationship was with another Brit, the former model-turned-radio presenter Lisa Snowdon.
They dated on and off for five years though Lisa never moved into his Los Angeles home. Having met on the set of a Martini commercial in 2000, and the final three years were said to be angst-filled.
However, Lisa became one of the rare ladies in his life to send him packing rather than the other way round.
But the search was over for George, who found the one to call his wife in 36-year old Amal.
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