Tuesday 12 July 2016

Ana Ivanovic marries footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger in beautiful Venice ceremony

Ana Ivanovic swaps her tennis whites for stunning frilled gown as she marries footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger in beautiful Venice ceremony

  • Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic got married on Tuesday
  • The pair were a picture of happiness upon leaving Venice City Hall
  • The Germany captain and tennis ace have been in a relationship since 2014
Serbian sportswoman Ana Ivanovic swapped her tennis whites for a white ensemble with a little more elegance on Tuesday as she married her footballer beau.
The tennis ace wowed in a stunning frilled gown as she wed Manchester United footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger in a beautiful Venice ceremony.
The Germany captain tied the knot with the tennis star in front of their friends, family and fellow sports stars,  two years after getting together.
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Good sports! Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic wowed in white as she married German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger on Tuesday in an intimate ceremony at Venice City Hall
Good sports! Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic wowed in white as she married German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger on Tuesday in an intimate ceremony at Venice City Hall
Ana looked sensational in her simple but chic gown which highlighted her svelte figure to perfection. 
The halter-neck style emphasised her toned arms and shoulders, while a subtle keyhole split detail on the chest flashed a touch more skin.
A nipped in waist flowed down to a ruffled skirt, while she added a chic pair of white satin heels, which peeked out from under her skirt to complete her wedding day ensemble.
Simply stunning: Ana looked sensational in her simple but chic wedding gown, beaming from ear to ear as she left her ceremony 
Simply stunning: Ana looked sensational in her simple but chic wedding gown, beaming from ear to ear as she left her ceremony 

The finishing touches was a silver bracelet and a matching watch, while she carried a bouquet of cream flowers and added a touch more sparkle with diamond stud earrings..
Ana opted for a simple hair do, leaving her glossy brunette locks loose around her shoulders, while subtle makeup completed her look and emphasised her flawless complexion.
The groom meanwhile was smart in a dark suit but ditched the tie to match his new wife's understated style.
White wedding: The halter-neck style emphasised her toned arms, while a keyhole split detail on the chest flashed a touch more skin
White wedding: The halter-neck style emphasised her toned arms, while a keyhole split detail on the chest flashed a touch more skin
Finishing touches: Ana opted for a simple hair do, leaving her glossy brunette locks loose around her shoulders, while subtle makeup completed her look
Finishing touches: Ana opted for a simple hair do, leaving her glossy brunette locks loose around her shoulders, while subtle makeup completed her look
In the details: The finishing touches were a stack of silver bangles and a matching watch, while she carried a bouquet of cream flowers
In the details: The finishing touches were a stack of silver bangles and a matching watch, while she carried a bouquet of cream flowers
Handsome couple: The groom meanwhile looked smart in a dark suit but ditched the tie to match his new wife's pared-back style
Handsome couple: The groom meanwhile looked smart in a dark suit but ditched the tie to match his new wife's pared-back style
Just married: The sporty couple couldn't hide their delight as they led the way out for the City Hall with their guests behind
Just married: The sporty couple couldn't hide their delight as they led the way out for the City Hall with their guests behind
A button hole added the final flourish, with the footballer slipping a pair of shades into his top pocket. 
The newlyweds were a picture of happiness as they left Venice City Hall hand in hand. Also known as the Palazzo Cavalli, the Venice City Hall has been dedicated to wedding ceremonies since 1990.
The high and old Venetian style windows with the Grand Canal as a backdrop make it a picturesque setting that clearly caught the eye of Ivanovic and Schweinsteiger too.
Coming through! Security cleared a path for the newly married couple who beamed at the wellwishers gathered outside 
Coming through! Security cleared a path for the newly married couple who beamed at the wellwishers gathered outside 
What a setting: The couple held their wedding service at Venice City Hall before heading out into the sunshine to catch a ride to their reception by boat
What a setting: The couple held their wedding service at Venice City Hall before heading out into the sunshine to catch a ride to their reception by boat
Say cheese: Photographers captured the short walk to the jetty as a large crowd of wellwishers and tourists looked on  
Say cheese: Photographers captured the short walk to the jetty as a large crowd of wellwishers and tourists looked on  
Sun's out! The couple slipped on their shades for the sunny walk to their boat as they headed off to celebrate their nuptials
Sun's out! The couple slipped on their shades for the sunny walk to their boat as they headed off to celebrate their nuptials
Here comes the bride: Ana looked gorgeous and effortlessly cool in her shades and wedding gown combo
Here comes the bride: Ana looked gorgeous and effortlessly cool in her shades and wedding gown combo
To the party! The married couple boarded a boat as they prepared to sail across the Venice canal to continue the celebrations
To the party! The married couple boarded a boat as they prepared to sail across the Venice canal to continue the celebrations
All aboard! Ana stepped onto the boat first, with gentleman Bastian keeping a close eye on his wife 
All aboard! Ana stepped onto the boat first, with gentleman Bastian keeping a close eye on his wife 
Helping hand: An attendant offered the bride his hand as she climbed carefully aboard her boat
Helping hand: An attendant offered the bride his hand as she climbed carefully aboard her boat
VIP treatment: Ana was helped aboard by a crowd of willing attendants as the sun shone down on her day
VIP treatment: Ana was helped aboard by a crowd of willing attendants as the sun shone down on her day
Time for one more! The newlyweds paused for one more snap before heading off  with their wedding party 
Time for one more! The newlyweds paused for one more snap before heading off  with their wedding party 
Thanks guys! Bastian stopped to thank the crew as the couple arrived at their destination 
Thanks guys! Bastian stopped to thank the crew as the couple arrived at their destination 
The couple had let friends know to keep the dates from July 11 to 13 free for a celebration - one that Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber had let slip in January was to be a wedding.
And it was understandably for the married couples families too as Ivanovic's parents, Mirsolav and Dragana, beamed with pride - with the former taking a photo on his mobile.
Schweinsteiger's father, Alfred, and older brother, Tobias, were also in attendance.
What a picture: The pair turned around at those they'd left behind as they embarked on their new journey as a married couple
What a picture: The pair turned around at those they'd left behind as they embarked on their new journey as a married couple
What a setting! The European couple chose stunning Venice as their wedding city, after telling their guests to simply show up at the airport with little clue as to where they were headed 
What a setting! The European couple chose stunning Venice as their wedding city, after telling their guests to simply show up at the airport with little clue as to where they were headed 
Picture of happiness: The couple kept close on the boat, cuddling up as they enjoyed their first minutes as husband and wife
Picture of happiness: The couple kept close on the boat, cuddling up as they enjoyed their first minutes as husband and wife
Can't take my eyes off of you: Ana gazed at her new husband as they savoured a moment to themselves on board 
Can't take my eyes off of you: Ana gazed at her new husband as they savoured a moment to themselves on board 
Nearest and dearest: Ivanovic's parents Miroslav and Dragana watched on with pride during their daughter's wedding
Nearest and dearest: Ivanovic's parents Miroslav and Dragana watched on with pride during their daughter's wedding
Nearest and dearest: Ivanovic's parents Miroslav and Dragana watched on with pride during their daughter's wedding
Capturing the moment: Miroslav Ivanovic snapped a photo of the day on his phone as he left the glamorous Venice City Hall
Capturing the moment: Miroslav Ivanovic snapped a photo of the day on his phone as he left the glamorous Venice City Hall
He's with the groom: Schweinsteiger's dad Alfred smiled upon arrival, matching his son with his rose button hole
He's with the groom: Schweinsteiger's dad Alfred smiled upon arrival, matching his son with his rose button hole
Invited the whole family: The footballer's older brother Tobias was there too, arriving wit his partner and child 
Invited the whole family: The footballer's older brother Tobias was there too, arriving wit his partner and child 
Ivanovic, who crashed out of Wimbledon during her first-round encounter with Ekaterina Alexandrova on June 27, and the Germany captain had travelled to Venice by private jet from Munich with close friends and family.
German media reports had suggested wedding guests were not told where the wedding would take place - simply that they should come to the airport on Monday and be ready for a surprise. 
The guest list is a closely guarded secret, but is rumoured to include Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, Germany coach Joachim Low, and Schweinsteiger's Germany team-mate Thomas Muller, as well as tennis stars like Kerber and Andy Murray.
Schweinsteiger's best man is said to be downhill ski racer Felix Neureuther, who has been friends with the United ace since the two were competitive junior skiers growing up in Bavaria. 


Tough loss: The Manchester United midfielder  is consoled by Thomas Muller following Germany's Euro 2016 exit
Tough loss: The Manchester United midfielder is consoled by Thomas Muller following Germany's Euro 2016 exit
Out! Ivanovic crashed out of Wimbledon during her first-round encounter with Ekaterina Alexandrova
Out! Ivanovic crashed out of Wimbledon during her first-round encounter with Ekaterina Alexandrova

IVANOVIC'S TENNIS CAREER 

Career earnings: £12million
Career titles: 15
Grand Slams: 1 - French Open (2008)
Tuesday's wedding comes less than a week after Schweinsteiger failed to inspire Germany to the final of Euro 2016 as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat by France in the last four.
The 31-year-old was penalised for handball to concede the penalty that brought the first of Antoine Griezmann's two goals as hosts France eliminated the 2014 World Cup winners in Marseille on July 7.
Schweinsteiger may well have played his last game for his country, with reports he is considering immediate retirement from the international game, but he did not touch on that in an open letter posted on the German Football Association's Facebook page last week.
Not quite there: Schweinsteiger shared Germany fans' frustration at not making the European Championship final
Not quite there: Schweinsteiger shared Germany fans' frustration at not making the European Championship final
The Germany captain conceded a penalty after being penalised for handball against France on July 7
The Germany captain conceded a penalty after being penalised for handball against France on July 7
The 31-year-old thought his country were unlucky against the hosts but paid tribute to the people of France
The 31-year-old thought his country were unlucky against the hosts but paid tribute to the people of France

SCHWEINSTEIGER'S HONOURS

Bayern Munich
Bundesliga: 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15
German Cup: 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-07, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14
Champions League: 2012-13
 
Manchester United 
FA Cup: 2015-16 
 
Germany
World Cup: 2014 
'Our dream has not been fulfilled. We haven't reached the final and there will be no magic night to follow the one in Rio,' he wrote.
'Unfortunately, we were missing something extremely important against France: a little bit of luck. Defeats are a part of the game though, even if they hurt.
'We of course acknowledge our opponents’ performance and sincerely and warmly congratulate the French team on progressing to the final.
'I am proud of what we have achieved. We have stayed true to playing our style of football. We have continued to grow as a team in the last seven weeks and this togetherness, which made us strong in Brazil two years ago, has done the same again here in France.
'We are a team, we are Die Mannschaft.Our fans are also a part of it. Wherever we were, Lille, St. Denis, Paris, Bordeaux or Marseille – thanks to you we had our twelfth man by our side.
'We would also like to thank the hosts, France and the French people. We have felt happy, safe and fully welcome from the first day. We had the best possible conditions in Evian. We were able to concentrate and train intensely, as well as relax in peace and recover where we were staying. France have been amazing hosts for the European Championship.
''In the name of the team, I would like to take my hat off to France. Merci! Au revoir! And See you soon!'
Schweinsteiger, 31, has been capped 120 times by his country and became captain in 2014, following the retirement of Philipp Lahm.
Schweinsteiger thinks Germany should be proud of their achievements and praised his side's togetherness
Schweinsteiger thinks Germany should be proud of their achievements and praised his side's togetherness

SCHWEINSTEIGER'S OPEN LETTER TO THE GERMANY FANS

Dear fans,
It’s a real shame. Our dream has not been fulfilled. 
We didn’t make it to the final, so Rio will not be followed by another magical night. Unfortunately, we were missing something extremely important against France: a little bit of luck. Defeats are a part of the game though, even if they hurt. 
We of course acknowledge our opponents’ performance and sincerely and warmly congratulate the French team on progressing to the final. 
I am proud of what we have achieved. We have stayed true to playing our style of football. 
We have continued to grow as a team in the last seven weeks and this togetherness, which made us strong in Brazil two years ago, has done the same again here in France. 
We are a team, we are Die Mannschaft.Our fans are also a part of it. 
Wherever we were, Lille, St. Denis, Paris, Bordeaux or Marseille – thanks to you we had our twelfth man by our side. 
Your enthusiasm was clear to hear and see in the stadiums. We also felt the support of all the people in Germany. At this point, we would like the say THANK YOU to all the fans. 
We would also like to thank the hosts, France and the French people. We have felt happy, safe and fully welcome from the first day. We had the best possible conditions in Evian. We were able to concentrate and train intensely, as well as relax in peace and recover where we were staying. France have been amazing hosts for the European Championship. 
I would like to take my hat off to France on behalf of the team.
Merci! Au revoir! And see you soon! 


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3686346/Ana-Ivanovic-swaps-tennis-whites-stunning-frilled-gown-marries-footballer-Bastian-Schweinsteiger-beautiful-Venice-ceremony.html#ixzz4EEeXZLTT
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