Rain failed to ruin the big day for Coleen McLoughlin and Wayne Rooney, who got married at a civil ceremony in Italy.

The service was held at the Villa Durazzo, a 17th-century palace overlooking the Mediterranean, after the couple arrived in a cavalcade of vehicles with blacked-out windows amid tight security.

Coleen wore a Marchesa gown, believed to have cost £200,000 and featuring pearls and crystals.

Gianni Costa, the deputy mayor of Santa Margherita, who conducted the 20-minute ceremony, said afterwards: "The bride looked lovely in white, and the groom wore a brown suit with no tie.

"No rings were exchanged, and the ceremony was very simple yet very beautiful."

Afterwards the newlyweds were given a police escort for the short journey to La Cervara, an abbey which has hosted three popes and imprisoned a French king during its 650-year history, for the wedding reception.

The 22-year-olds were due to spend their wedding night in the master suite of a £40 million yacht, the Alysia.

OK! magazine is said to have forked out £2.5 million for the exclusive rights to the event, which is being hailed as one of the celebrity highlights of the year, with some reports putting the wedding tab at around £5 million.

Guests, who are staying at the £700-a-night five star Hotel Splendido, have been asked not to buy presents but to make donations to a children's hospital, each being given a box containing a butterfly to release at the wedding.

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