George Clooney, Amal Alamuddin tie the knot in Venice

US actor George Clooney (C) travels on a taxi boat to the venue of a gala dinner ahead of his official wedding ceremony in Venice September 27, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

What better spot?

George Clooney to marry in Italy

George Clooney to direct film on British phone hacking scandal

"I thought he was like the world's most eligible bachelor so I didn't realize he was ever going to get married, but I guess if you're going to get married what better spot than a beautiful Italian city like Venice?" said Canadian tourist Philip De Vooght.

A slick, wooden speedboat called "Amore" brought the couple into the city on Friday in a convoy of boats, a modern-day version of the ceremonial entrances of the Doges of the Venetian Republic, which lasted from the late seventh century until 1797.

Alamuddin, who is rumored to have 12 outfit changes prepared for the weekend, wore a black-and-white striped dress as she arrived with Clooney on the speedboat.

The 36-year-old picked a more formal red dress with black butterfly patterns for a party in her honor on Friday night. She has reportedly chosen an Alexander McQueen wedding gown.

Guests were ferried around the city in speed-boats bearing small flags marked with "AG", for Amal and George, and a brown swagged canopy was put up in front of the Aman on Saturday to shield guests from prying eyes and photographers' long lenses.

People magazine reported that the pair had been married by the former mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni, a film buff and Clooney's friend, confirming previous Italian media reports.

Venice's city government said last week it would close a few of the town's narrow pedestrian streets for two hours on Monday, in case the "celebrity status" of the event caused overcrowding and threatened people's safety.