Some 500 guests are gathering in the historic western Italian town of Bracciano for the star-studded wedding of U.S. movie stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
The couple are set to wed Saturday in a private ceremony at the town's 15th-century Castle Odescalchi, overlooking Lake Bracciano. Attendees are said to include U.S. actors Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez, British soccer player David Beckham, and Italian clothing designer Georgio Armani.
It also is expected to draw hordes of tourists and journalists to the town, located some 60 kilometers from Rome.
Cruise is one of the most highly paid and in-demand actors in Hollywood. He has starred in such movies as Top Gun and Mission Impossible.
Gossip magazines have dubbed Cruise and Holmes "TomKat." The two have a six-month-old child named Suri.
Their wedding ceremony is expected to follow the traditions of Scientology, a controversial religion that both practice.
As part of his Scientology vows, Cruise - who is one of Hollywood's wealthiest men - is supposed to tell his bride that he will provide her with "a pan, a comb and perhaps a cat." She is supposed to remind him that she has "necessities and follies."
The local mayor, Patrizia Riccioni met with the couple Wednesday. She told reporters she appreciates the attention that Cruise and Holmes have brought to the picturesque village of Bracciano.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.