Serena Williams Breaks Wedding Tradition at Venus's Big Day and Presents an Unforgettable Gift

Before the tennis superstar exchanged vows with her groom, the most telling moment of the weekend had already unfolded, in the quiet way she and her sister shared a milestone.

In the days leading up to Venus Williams's intimate destination wedding with Andrea Preti, a quiet but striking detail involving her sister, Serena Williams, set the tone for what guests would later describe as a celebration shaped as much by family as by romance.

Photos shared on social media showed a familiar face standing confidently among wedding guests, dressed in white and smiling broadly. The choice immediately sparked conversation online, where fans weighed in with admiration and speculation.

Social Media Reacts

Online reaction followed swiftly, with commenters dissecting everything from wedding etiquette to family dynamics. One commenter praised the fashion choice, "Love the fact that she broke the 'traditional' rule of not wearing white! LOVE IT 😍." Another focused on the moment itself, saying, "Love Love Love Did I miss the announcement…Serena looks pregnant…."

As speculation continued in other comments, including one that read, "Serena is That a baby bump [sic]." Not everyone approved, however. One Facebooker pushed back on the look, stating, "Only the bride should be wearing white. Congratulations on your wedding 🎉."

Each reaction reflected how a single detail from the celebration quickly took on a life of its own online.

A Sister's Message

While social media debated appearances and tradition, Serena’s own words shifted the focus back to the bond at the center of the day. Reflecting on their shared journey, Serena described years that stretched from backyard courts to the world's biggest stages.

She praised Venus for always leading with grace, strength, and a generosity of spirit that extends far beyond trophies or titles. Watching Venus step into marriage, surrounded by love, felt to her like witnessing a sunrise, steady, robust, and filled with promise.

She portrayed Venus as her built-in best friend, protector, and teacher, someone who has consistently reminded her to move through life with purpose. Serena added that seeing her sister so happy, so loved, and so radiant meant everything to her.

She closed by celebrating love, partnership, shared laughter, and a lifetime of choosing one another each day, saying she could not be prouder to stand beside Venus, not just on her wedding day, but always.

Serena's Role in Venus's Intimate Wedding

That emotional tribute helped explain what photos alone could not — and the fuller meaning behind Serena's presence soon became clearer. The meaning behind the white outfit and the emotion surrounding it became clearer after the wedding weekend.

Speaking with Vogue, Venus explained how quickly the festivities unfolded and how central her sister was to the experience. "They always say weddings go so fast, and they do," Venus said. "We started on Monday. Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything."

She continued, "We had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends who were in town on the boat, and we were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other."

Breaking Tradition and Redefining It

The revelation reframed the earlier photos and online debate. What some viewers initially interpreted as a breach of wedding etiquette was, in fact, part of a carefully planned and deeply personal gift.

By the time Venus and Andrea exchanged vows, the weekend had already become a reflection of something larger than tradition, one rooted in family, generosity, and shared history.

The moment Serena stepped into white was not about drawing attention, but about standing beside her sister in a way only she could, offering a gift that made an already special day unforgettable.

As the attention sparked by Serena's unexpected wedding-day choice continued to ripple online, earlier reporting about Venus's celebration offered a fuller picture of the intimate, fashion-forward, and carefully curated week that culminated in her marriage to Andrea.

As previously reported, the tennis superstar quietly married the Danish actor after celebrating their union across two destinations.

Details later shared by Vogue revealed a weeklong celebration that included two ceremonies, time with loved ones, and more than a dozen carefully chosen looks.

Wedding Photos Spotlight a Sleek Bridal Look

The wedding photos present Venus and her actor-model husband in refined, editorial-style portraits. In one image, the couple walks arm in arm beneath a grand arched colonnade.

Venus wears a long-sleeved ivory gown with a structured silhouette and a subtle train. A lace veil softens the clean design, while her hair is styled back to keep the focus on the dress. Andrea wears a white tuxedo jacket paired with dark trousers.

Another image shows the couple by the water, where the lace detailing of Venus' veil stands out against the coastal backdrop. The contrast between the structured gown and the flowing veil highlights a bridal look that feels modern and elegant.

Wedding Photos Spark Online Reactions

The images quickly prompted discussion across social media, as viewers focused on Serena Williams' appearance at the wedding and shared mixed reactions to photos featuring both sisters.

On Facebook, one commenter wrote, "Why Serena has white dress on It's her sister wedding for God's sake [sic]." Another questioned Serena's choice to wear white, noting that it traditionally goes against wedding etiquette when worn by anyone other than the bride.

Others responded with warmth and humor, congratulating Venus while jokingly wondering how many different dresses she wore throughout the celebrations.

On Reddit, another commented, "Why is her sister in a wedding dress too? This is all just a lot." A different Redditor zeroed in on Venus's fashion choices, remarking that every outfit "looks incredible."

Another reaction focused on Venus's overall look, describing her as a "very classic bride" whose style felt perfectly aligned with her personality. The commenter also noted that both Williams sisters married men whose names are more commonly associated with women.

Instagram users shared mixed reactions. One wrote, "That veil in the 1st picture is the prettiest one I've ever seen. I love her Courthouse suit and hat. Gowns are 🔥 [sic]."

Another asked, "Do y'all know how to tell Venus and Serena apart?! Because why are there so many pictures of Serena." One admirer kept their reaction simple, calling the dress beautiful and praising its classic, classy design.

Two Weddings and a Weeklong Celebration

Vogue shared on December 23, 2025, that Venus and Andrea held two weddings. Their first ceremony took place on September 18 in Ischia, Italy.

"We had this dream to do our wedding in Italy," Venus said. "But we didn't have enough time to do the paperwork—because I'm a foreigner, it can take about eight months. So we decided to have a second wedding."

The second wedding was held in Palm Beach, Florida, reflecting Venus' roots.

Planned by Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, the celebration spanned six days and began on a Monday. "Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything," Venus stated. The outing brought together close family and friends for a day of singing, dancing, and shared celebration.

Throughout the week, Venus and Andrea hosted daily pool parties at their home, welcoming guests from both Italy and the United States. About 25 of Andrea's relatives and close friends traveled from Italy to join the festivities.

Fashion played a central role, with Venus wearing more than a dozen looks throughout the wedding week. One event included a boudoir-themed bridal shower, where she wore a Kim Kassas dress paired with David Yurman jewelry. The evening concluded with dancing and a Beyoncé-themed lip-synch battle.

The couple also had a courthouse wedding. "For me, the courthouse ceremony was very unique, emotional, and deep," Andrea said. Venus later described the experience simply, saying, "It was just a dream."

On the morning of the Palm Beach ceremony, Venus wore what she called "the most incredible dress" by Georges Hobeika. "The way it sparkles, the transparency—it reminds me of the ocean and sea," she explained.

When Andrea saw her walk down the aisle, he remembered the moment clearly, "When I saw Venus, she was beautiful, like a goddess."

In the end, what began as an online debate over a white dress gave way to a fuller understanding of a wedding defined by intention, intimacy, and family. Serena Williams's presence, and her choice, highlighted the depth of her bond with Venus Williams, turning a moment of speculation into one of meaning.