Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin (WENN image)

Coleen McLoughlin and Wayne Rooney's wedding party

Wednesday, 11 June 2008

The biggest celebrity wedding of 2008 has kicked off in style.

Their official wedding might not be until Thursday but Coleen McLoughlin and Wayne Rooney have decided to start the party early.

The young love birds met when they were twelve but they didn't start dating until there were in their final year of high school.

Rooney was the most famous at first with his football skills landing him in the England team aged 17. He played for his favourite team Everton until he left in 2004 for Manchester United. He is considered one of the best forwards in the world.

Wayne Rooney playing for England (WENN image)

In the last couple of years Coleen has become a celebrity in her own right and has launched her own perfume, written several books and presented her own show 'Coleen's Real Women' for ITV2. It could be argued that she is now more famous than Rooney.

She is seen as a good role model for youngsters as she tries to show that women don't have to be a size zero to be attractive. She is also heavily involved in raising money for various charities.

Coleen McLoughlin at the launch of her biography (WENN image)

Coleen McLoughlin on 'Coleen's Real Women' (WENN image)

England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 has allowed the young couple to get married. They have flown their closest friends and family into Italy by private jet.

Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin (WENN image)

The couple are not afraid to spend money and yesterday they hired the £100,000 a week R.M Elegant yacht so they could have a ten hour black-tie party last night.

The yacht is popular with celebrities and P.Diddy has hired it in the past.

It is thought that 64 guests will be attending their Catholic wedding ceremony in a 16th century castle by the Italian Rivera.

The wedding is being covered by OK! magazine who have paid a massive £2.5 million for the exclusive photos.

They have tried to keep the location a secret by giving the press several false leads over the past few days.

Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin (WENN image)

On Tuesday the scouse couple had to visit the Portofino Town Hall to make a formal declaration of their intention to wed.

The footballer opted for a relaxed look in beach shorts while his bride-to-be wore a stylish blue and cream Missoni dress. After signing the required paperwork the town's mayor gave them them permission to get married.

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Image credit: WENN