Romance of Italy captures new Waterhouse sweethearts

RACING princess Kate Waterhouse became Mrs Luke Ricketson overnight in a picture perfect wedding.

Kate Waterhouse, Luke Ricketson

RACING princess Kate Waterhouse became Mrs Luke Ricketson overnight in a picture perfect wedding ceremony held on the coast of Italy.

With ancient Sicily serving as a classic and romantic backdrop, the couple were joined by the bride's delighted parents, champion horse trainer Gai Waterhouse and proud husband Robbie.

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The bride, looking radiant in a Vera Wang gown purchased in New York recently, was attended by five bridesmaids in Carla Zampatti nude-coloured gowns.

Some 60 guests flew in from around the world to attend the ceremony which was held in San Guiseppe Catholic Church at 5pm on Thursday.

"I am so excited. I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world to marry Luke,'' the fashion writer said.
 Former Roosters rugby league star Ricketson was attended by four mates and his new brother-in-law bookie Tom Waterhouse.

The bride's parents, champion racehorse trainer Gai Waterhouse and her husband Robbie, and the groom's father Doug Ricketson, have gathered with about 50 family and friends in the tiny Sicilian hamlet of Taormina for a traditional Catholic ceremony due to be held in the early hours of today. The mother of the bride has been swept up in the romance of the ancient coastal village. "Kate and Luke are wonderfully relaxed," she said.

"It is such a pleasure to see this young couple so happy and at one with each other. It always takes a wedding, christening or funeral to bring families together." The wedding is a repeat performance of Kate's brother bookmaker Tom Waterhouse's marriage to his sweetheart, Hoda Vakili, last year.

Like her brother, Kate, 28, fell in love with the pretty Sicilian village a decade ago during family trips with her parents. Ricketson's former Roosters' teammate Brett Finch and retired Kangaroos player Brian Fletcher have joined the week of celebrations ahead of the wedding.