FLORENCE, Italy — Television personality Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West celebrated their wedding Saturday in a 16th century castle overlooking the historic city of Florence.
City authorities confirmed the event took place in the Forte di Belvedere, set on a hill overlooking the city, which the couple hired for the night for 300,000 euros — $408,900.
Few other details leaked ahead of the lavish festivities. A private security firm kept curious fans, paparazzi and television cameras from getting too close to the site — a Renaissance stronghold with high sloping walls that were boosted by specially erected privacy screens.
West, 36, proposed to 33-year-old reality TV star Kardashian in an empty baseball stadium with a specially hired orchestra. The event was shown during an episode of TV show “Keeping up with the Kardashians.”
The couple, known collectively as “Kimye,” reportedly celebrated their nuptials accompanied by their daughter North and about 200 family and close friends. The castle is not normally authorized to hold weddings, so it is unclear whether the event will count as a legal marriage ceremony.
The guest list has been kept a tight secret, but several celebrity magazines said power couple Jay Z and Beyonce and Canadian singer Justin Bieber were expected, along with other rumored attendances, including actor Will Smith, singer Rihanna and TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey.
After a pre-wedding party and a visit to the historic Chateau de Versailles outside Paris Friday, most guests arrived by private plane in Florence’s main airport and will leave Sunday morning.
They will be put up in two of the city’s most luxurious hotels, where a team of about 10 of West’s assistants have been overseeing preparations for the past week.
NO SELFIES
According to the local La Nazione newspaper, suppliers have been threatened with a $5 million penalty if they reveal details of the event and guests were asked to hand in their mobile phones to stop anyone taking “selfies” or other pictures.
Most Florence residents appeared to take the preparations in stride, but groups of fans waited outside the luxury hotels and the party site hoping for a glimpse of the celebrity couple and their guests.
“I’ve come here to see Kim Kardashian. I’ve been following her since 2008, and I like her a lot,” Italian fan Lora Marotta said. “I’m obsessed so I’ve come here to see her and will not leave until I’ve seen her,” she said.
Guests were reportedly escorted by city police to the event where they dined on catering provided by Galateo, one of Florence’s most famous caterers. Residents in the San Nicola area of Florence received letters warning them the music will be booming out until midnight.
Vanessa Beecroft, an Italian-born artist and friend of West, whose performance art pieces regularly feature groups of nude female models, has set up a show within the fort and has promised to leave one of her works to the city of Florence.
The cost of the final bill is a closely guarded secret, but if past celebrity practice is any guide, the couple may be able to defray some of the expense by showing the wedding on television or selling exclusive coverage rights.