Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes caused a frenzy in Rome as they made a visit to City Hall on Wednesday, together with their six-month-old daughter Suri. The couple were believed to be wrapping up the final legal requirements for their nuptials on Saturday.
Dressed in formal attire - Tom in a grey pinstripe suit with matching waistcoat and lavender tie and his bride-to-be in elegant black - the couple made their first public outing together in the Italian capital. The former Dawson's Creek actress held her sleepy baby close, while fiancé Tom kept a protective arm around his two leading ladies as they arrived at the ancient Capitoline Hill.
The pair apparently spent Tuesday night dining at the likely venue for their wedding - Odesacalchi Castle - with members of the Odescalchi family and friends. Many of their guests are flying into Rome, with Brooke Shields, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony boarding a private jet from California on Wednesday.
Other famous faces expected to share in the celebrations include Victoria and David Beckham, who have reportedly struggled to come up with a suitable wedding present for their Hollywood pals. "David and Victoria are still scratching their heads as to what is the perfect present to give them," said a source close to the couple this week.
Prior to jetting out to Italy, Katie has been hitting the shops herself. She reportedly splashed out $3,000 on luxury lingerie, including $1,000 on a special 'bridal collection' set at La Bra Lingerie in West Hollywood. Her purchases are also said to include a silk nightgown with matching robe trimmed with ostrich feathers, and a lace bra with Swarovski crystals.
Anticipation over the big day is reaching fever pitch in picturesque Bracciano - the lakeside town where Saturday's celebrations are expected to take place. One local restaurant has created a 'Katie and Tom risotto', while the owner of a clothes shop has dedicated four windows to the celebrity duo.
Tom, who is staying at the luxury Hessler hotel on the Spanish Steps, flew into Rome on Monday. It is not known whether Katie and baby Suri are also staying there. An enormous bouquet of 120 red roses was delivered to the hotel this week for a "special guest", but florist Romano Fiori was not revealing the name of the sender or the recipient. "These things are very sensitive," he says.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
