Rooneys leave Italian Riviera

Newlyweds Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin have left the Italian Riviera, where they tied the knot amid tight security.

The couple were spotted leaving Genoa's luxury Hotel Bentley with their families and later at the city's airport.

The Manchester United star chartered a private jet to fly wedding guests out earlier this week.

The 22-year-olds were wed in a civil ceremony in the resort of Santa Margherita Ligure on Thursday.

OK! magazine reportedly paid the couple £2.5 million for exclusive access to the big day, and security arrangements were tight to protect the deal.

The guest list was not as star-studded as previous footballer's weddings, with Rooney's Manchester United teammates Wes Brown and Michael Carrick among the biggest names present.

Gianni Costa, the deputy mayor of Santa Margherita who conducted the ceremony, seemed blissfully unaware of the couple's exclusive deal with OK!, and was happy to describe the union to reporters held outside the ceremony by heavy-duty security.

Guests cheered and clapped when the translator told them in English that the couple were man and wife, he said.

"Everyone was very emotional and there were a few tears from everyone, especially the bride, but Wayne was very composed," he added.

Heavy rain forced McLoughlin to accessorise her white Marchesa wedding gown - believed to have cost £200,000 - with a large black umbrella, but she can take comfort in the Italian saying: "A wet bride is a happy bride."

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