George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin are married

A representative for the actor said in a statement: "George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin were married today in a private ceremony in Venice, Italy."

George, 53, was spotted arriving at the ceremony at sunset today by vintage speedboat after a host of stars including U2 singer Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber, Matt Damon and his wife Luciana, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Bill Murray, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour had made their way to the venue.

George was also accompanied by Amal's parents Ramzi and Baria, his father Nick and his mother Nina, although his bride was noticeably absent from the water taxi procession.

The couple - who were first pictured together in London in October last year - were married by their close friend, the former mayor of Rome, Walter Veroni.

It is thought tonight's nuptials will be the first of two ceremonies with another civil ceremony taking place in the city on Monday.

The Hollywood star previously gushed over the brunette beauty, 36, and said he "couldn't wait to be her husband".

During the Celebrity Fight Night charity benefit in Tuscany, Italy, earlier this month, he told his fiancée from the stage: "I would just like to say to my bride-to-be, Amal, that I love you very much and I can't wait to be your husband."