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Venice turns into a madhouse ahead of George Clooney's magical weekend wedding


Venice - Venice is abuzz, with Hollywood stars and the world's paparazzi arriving by gondola for the event of the year: George Clooney's wedding to Amal Alamuddin, his Lebanon-born British fiancee.

With the exact arrangements being kept strictly under wraps, officials would not confirm whether the ceremony will take place Saturday or Monday, but what's clear is the city of masks is preparing for a weekend of serious partying.

"Clooney's on everyone's lips here in Venice, the girls in particular are all in a tizzy, they'll be lining the banks of the canal to see him," said watertaxi driver Bruno Bartolini, who said it would be "a fantastic party."

"The city's ground to a halt because they're using the grand canal, but what does that matter: there's nothing better than getting married in Venice," Bartolini said.

The reception is tipped to take place in the exclusive seven-star Aman hotel on the Grand Canal, where guests will be escorted by police boats keen to keep over-excited Clooney admirers and hundreds of photographers at a distance.


Boats sail passed the Cavalli Palace, where the wedding will take place (AP Photo)

But nothing appears able to dampen the spirits of the crowds of tourists eagerly snapping photographs of the town hall and Aman from the water ferries, or the locals staking out the best viewing positions in houses along the canal.


A gondola sails passed the Aman hotel on the Grand Canal, where guests will be escorted (AP Photo)

All desperate for a glimpse of the erstwhile world's most eligible bachelor in his Armani suit and Alamuddin in an Alexander McQueen creation designed by Sarah Burton, the woman behind the gown worn by Britain's Kate Middleton at her wedding to Prince William in 2011.

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