Crowds eagerly await marriage of stars Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes

Nov 18, 2006, 15:52 GMT

Rome - Crowds of star-seekers looking to meet and greet film royalty gathered along with the world's media in Bracciano, Italy, Saturday for the hotly-anticipated marriage of Hollywood stars Tom Cruise, 44, and Katie Holmes, 27.

The 'wedding of the year' is to be conducted by an official from Scientology, the sect of which Cruise and fellow Hollywood actor John Travolta are known followers.

However prevent fans overrunning the medieval castle hosting the event, the venue was sealed off from early Saturday morning.

'We've been standing for hours, but we're not getting to see anything,' said one disappointed young fan.

Public relations experts have speculated that the castle, located 30 kilometres north of Rome, was chosen not for its frescoes and ambience but 'because the stars could be completely shut off here.'

Bracciano, which overlooks a volcanic lake, is in fact expected to be entirely blocked off for periods during the ceremony.

Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, Will Smith and Brooke Shields were among the Hollywood celebrities at the wedding.

One of the few VIPs seen entering the venue was tenor Andrea Bocelli, who is expected to sing Ave Maria.

The rights to the television images of the wedding were sold for 2 million dollars.

To prevent the Italian media taking shots of the inside of the castle from helicopters, an awning had been placed over the central courtyard.

Organizers had also threatened to release balloons to hinder the helicopters.

However, at the end of the ceremony a fireworks display is to take place which fans as well as invited celebrants can enjoy.

The couple and their parents have been staying at Rome's exclusive Hassler Hotel. Hundreds of fans have camped out for days in front of the hotel at Rome's famous Spanish Steps.

On Wednesday the couple attended a dinner hosted by Mayor Walter Veltroni.

On Friday evening, Cruise, who is getting married for the third time, celebrated his stag night with friends in a private villa in Rome. The actor is said to have danced till early morning.