Celebs and influencers flock to Italy for lavish society weddings

Sydney power duo Rey Vakili and Johnny Ingham have officially tied the knot in the romantic Italian town of Taormina.

Sydney power duo Rey Vakili and Johnny Ingham have officially tied the knot.

Guests included radio personality Andy Lee and his model partner Rebecca Harding, it girls Montarna Pitt, Charlotte Heinrich and Alyce Tran and racing royalty Gai and Kate Waterhouse.

The pair threw an extravagant wedding on Friday night in Italy, which was branded by guests as “an event like no other.”

The couple chose the Sicilian town of Taormina for the festivities, an area made famous by the most recent season of White Lotus.

Vakili, the managing Director of LKT Australia and the chicken heir said their vows in a garden setting before sitting to a no expense spared meal at a table set by top wedding planner, Sugokuii Events.

A jubilant Johnny Ingham and Rey Vakili enter their reception. Picture: Instagram/Montarna Pitt

Guests wait among the glorious gardens. Picture: Instagram/Montarna Pitt

Vakili looked resplendent in an off-shoulder, sweetheart neckline, tulle gown, while her new husband looked dapper in a black tuxedo.

The venue was then turned into an after-party in a Sicilian designed nightclub.

WATERHOUSE KIDS SET LAVISH ITALIAN WEDDING TREND

Twelve years ago this week, Sydney power couple Tom Waterhouse and Hoda Vakili tied the knot in the picturesque Italian town of Taormina.

The following year, his sister Kate and former NRL great Luke Ricketson followed suit, saying “I do” in the same Sicilian town.

And it seems the Waterhouses started a trend among the millennial social set, with a bevy of cashed-up couples doing the same ever since.

Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich opted to hold an extravagant wedding in the same southern Italian area, while Tamie Ingham and Guillaume Brahimi bucked the Italian wedding trend and said their vows an hour’s flight away in Paris.

Then last month, Australian singer Sia tied the knot with Dan Bernard in an intimate Italian ceremony in Portofino.

Hoda Vakili and Tom Waterhouse on their wedding day in 2013. Picture: Antonio Parrinello

Now Rey Vakili is set to say ‘I do’ in the same town this weekend. Picture: Instagram

Kate Waterhouse and Luke Ricketson at their Italian wedding in 2014. Picture: Antonio Parrinello

By Saturday, Hoda’s little sister Rey Vakili, who is managing director of LTK Australia, and Ingham chicken heir Johnny Ingham will have made their love official on the other side of the world.

As will model Tash Oakley and her partner, businessman and liquor heir Theo Chambers, son of Chambers Cellars founder Steven Chambers.

Tash Oakley and Theo Chambers took their pre-wedding celebrations to the streets of Capri. Picture: Instagram

On Friday night, one night before both couples walked down a sun-kissed aisle in Italy, they each held their own rehearsal dinner.

Vakili and Ingham opted for an intimate repast with “RJ” themed signs and trinkets.

Guests included radio personality Andy Lee and his model partner Rebecca Harding, and ‘it’ girls Montarna Pitt, Charlotte Heinrich and Alyce Tran.

Oakley and Chambers and their guests dined at Ristorante Da Giorgio before dancing in the streets of Capri.

Vakili (second from right) and her gal pals this week. Picture: Instagram

Chambers (second from right) with his mates. Picture: Instagram

It’s no cheap affair for guests, with those Confidential have spoken to claiming the week-long sojourn cost them more than $20,000 in flights and accommodation, not to mention the Euro summer outfits.

Confidential’s spies say the small Italian town is currently streaming with paparazzi as wealthy travellers from all around the globe descend on the island currently on trend thanks to the second season of popular series White Lotus.

Italy is a huge drawcard for celebrity weddings, thanks to the exclusivity of the location and stunning backdrop.

Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes at Odescalchi Castle at Lake Bracciano, Italy, in 2006.

And Hollywood star George Clooney and British-Lebanese barrister Amal Alamuddin tied the knot in Venice in 2014.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel wed in Puglia in 2012, and David Hasselhoff and Hayley Roberts opted to hold their ceremony in the same southern region town in 2018.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got hitched in Florence in 2014.