Kim and Kanye tie the knot
Updated | By Staff Writer
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got married in what's been described as a "chic and intimate" ceremony in Italy over the weekend, and are reportedly already on honeymoon in Ireland.
The couple, who went public with their relationship in April 2012 and have an 11-month-old daughter, North, exchanged vows in front of approximately 200 guests during an outdoor sunset ceremony at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy, on Saturday.
Kim walked down the aisle in a full-length white Givenchy gown with lace sleeves, but changed into a short beaded dress by Balmain during their reception.
Kanye appeared to be very nervous beforehand, swigging obsessively from a bottle of water.
An eyewitness said: "It was funny how nervous he was. He clearly knew the gravity of what he was about to do. This morning he was all smiles, but as it got closer, you could see that the nerves were kicking in. It's common for most grooms. I've seen it all before."
Another source told E! News that Kim arrived at their wedding venue with her grandmother, Mary Jo Shannon, shortly after catching a private jet with her bridal party, including sisters, Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian, and mother, Kris Jenner, from Paris, where the couple enjoyed a pre-wedding celebration at the Palace of Versailles on Friday night.
Kim shared some photos of their time in Paris via her Instagram account:
Kanye apparently gushed about his new wife and her famous family during several lengthy speeches at their wedding.
During one 20-minute "public warfare" rant, the opinionated rapper talked about the perks of pitfalls of their celebrity status, saying: "They feel like it's okay to put you on the tabloid covers to sell your image, to use you in an 'SNL' ('Saturday Night Live') spoof. We don't negotiate. We're not like that. We're not stupid.
"The Kardashians are an industry!
"At this table...the combination of powers...can make the world a better place. The most remarkable people of our time."
An insider told UsMagazine.com that the couple's 200 guests weren't surprised by Kanye's decision to speak several times, adding: "We all knew those would be coming. It would have been disappointing if it didn't happen."
Kanye also repeatedly praised his "beautiful" bride, calling her "the ideal celebrity... the ideal art," and said he was looking forward to "spending every day of my life with Kim."
The couple partied until 2.30am after tying the knot in front of a wall of flowers at sunset.
Guests included rappers Common, Big Sean and Tyga, and John Legend provided the entertainment at their reception.
The insider said: "It was just the most perfect night. And for all the talk about it being over the top or crazy -- it really wasn't! It was just the most beautifully put together, chic, intimate celebration. I don't think anyone will forget it.
"[The ceremony] was beautiful. Absolutely magnificent. The music was perfect - Kanye was very happy!"
The New Slaves hitmaker surprised the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star by proposing to her on her 33rd birthday on October 21 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
The couple started dating just months after the reality TV star split from ex-husband Kris in October 2011 after 72 days of marriage.
They have now reportedly arrived in Ireland for their honeymoon.
A source told the Irish Independent newspaper that the couple landed at Cork Airport at 3pm and were met by a "fleet of Mercedes limousines."
They're planning to enjoy five days at a "luxury private estate" in the country.
The brunette beauty enjoyed a low-key visit to Dublin in June 2012 to help Kanye celebrate his birthday while he was there on tour, and afterwards she wrote on her blog: "I've really enjoyed my time in Ireland."
Her family also previously discussed visiting the country on their reality TV show.
Meanwhile, an insider has revealed that Kanye presented his bride with a custom-made diamond wedding band by Lorraine Schwartz to go with her 15-carat engagement ring.
A source told E! News that the celebrity jeweller also created a simple gold ring for him.
(Photo: Via Facebook.com/KimKardashian)
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