Salma Hayek’s Second Wedding Ceremony
Her first wedding to billionaire fiance Francois-Henri Pinault was an intimate affair at the 6th Arrondisement City Hall in Paris on Valentine’s Day, but for Salma Hayek’s second ceremony on Saturday April 25, 2009, the couple went a more lavish route, People reported.
The wedding weekend kicked off Friday with a rehearsal dinner at the Punta Della Dogana, one of Venice’s most historic buildings, which guards the south entry of Venice’s Grand Canal, a recently renovated building not yet open to the public. The site has been used by Venetian merchants since the 15th century. Due to their severe disrepair condition, the city awarded the lease to Pinault’s father, who has since spent $70 million on renovations. The structure will open to the public as the Pinault Foundation Centre for Contemporary Art on June 6.
Guests arrived for the wedding the next day in black and gold masks. The Carnival in Venice-style masked ball was held inside a white tent in the courtyard with many guests, including Charlize Theron and boyfriend Stuart Townsend, wearing black Venetian masks. Also in attendance were former French president Jacques Chirac and wife Bernadette; Penélope Cruz, Ashley Judd, Bono, Luis Miguel, Edward Norton and Lucy Liu. About 150 friends and family reportedly joined the happy couple, including celebs from all walks of life such as actors Woody Harrelson and wife Laura Louie, Gael Garcia Bernal, magician David Blaine and Vogue editrix Anna Wintour.
According to People magazine, the bride clutched a bouquet of crystal-accented orchids and stephanotis as she walked down the aisle. Salma wore a Balenciaga wedding gown by Nicholas Ghesquiere and a diaphanous veil which cascaded from tresses styled into a bun for the opulent festivities, held at Venice opera house La Fenice.
Among those in the bridal party was the newlywed’s 19-month-old daughter Valentina Paloma, reportedly joined the ceremony as a flower girl, wearing a dress by Bonpoint She was joined by Francois-Henri’s children from his first marriage, son Francois, 10, and daughter Mathilde, 8. The toddler no doubt enjoyed the joyful rendition of “Over The Rainbow,” sung by family and friends during the ceremony.
Earlier this month, Hayek, 42, told People “I think a wedding is about love, friends, family and fun.”
Guests started arriving in Venice, Italy since Thursday. Actor Woody Harrelson and his wife enjoyed a twilight hand-in-hand stroll around Piazza San Marco, while other guests – including Hayek’s ex-boyfriend Ed Norton and actor Olivier Martinez – were seen enjoying the sites of the city.
Source: lovetripper.com; people.com