The lad who grew up kicking a ball in the streets of Liverpool's less than salubrious suburb Croxteth, and the girl he first shared a kiss with at the local garage kicked off their wedding celebrations in fine style.

Dressed in tuxedo, complete with dickie bow, and Coleen in another of her designer gowns and a mask - the pair who grew up in the rundown Liverpool district were a long way from their humble roots.

Wayne and Coleen along with their guests enjoyed a 10-hour pre-wedding celebration on board luxury yacht RM Elegant, for which no expense has been spared.

Black tie affair: A suave-looking Wayne Rooney enjoys a canape and glass of champagne as he scrubs up for a black-tie do on board the luxury super-yacht

Party girl: Coleen with her guests who wore masks as they couple threw a 10 hour masquerade ball to celebrate their nuptials with family and friends

On deck: Rooney chats with Manchester United football colleague Michael Carrick and his wife Lisa

Coleen, 22, will marry her footballer fiance tomorrow in Portofino, Italy, on board the luxury vessel, which will also host their extravagant reception.

The couple have hired the £100,000 a week yacht for three days at a cost of £300,000 and will use it to hold a reception for their 64 wedding guests.

The footballer and his fiancée have splashed out £50,000 on the three-deck yacht to party on following the ceremony in a 16th century castle overlooking the Italian Rivera on Thursday.

Making waves: The private yacht that Wayne and Coleen have hired to exchange their wedding vows

The yacht will also be home to the couple's 64 wedding guests for three days

It emerged today that the Catholic wedding will take place in the picturesque venue of San Michele di Pagano.

Insiders at the church office at Chiavari confirmed the venue, which was a last minute change of plan.

Originally Wayne and Coleen had wanted the service at La Cervara - a former abbey on a hilltop overlooking Santa Margherita Ligure.

This was the venue also used by Rod Stewart for his wedding reception last year and has a chapel within its grounds.

However church officials have not renewed the licence which allows it to hold religious ceremonies so another venue had to be found.

All the other churches have pre-arranged weddings and the only one free was San Michele di Pagana, just outside Santa Margherita Ligure.

The church is 900-years-old and is built on a hill overlooking the bays of Trelo and Prelo. It stands on a site where there was once a pagan temple - hence its name - and is dedicated to St Michael Archangel.

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The £80million mega yacht includes a 12-person Jacuzzzi surrounded by an extensive and partying area

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The yacht boasts a range of suites and a VIP stateroom

Inside there are beautiful Renaissance paintings as well as works from the 16th and 17th Century. The most famous work is Van Dyck's Crucifixion which was painted between 1621 and 1624 when he stayed nearby.

Yesterday, the couple arrived at the Portofino Town Hall to make a formal declaration of their intent to marry.

But while Coleen dressed up in a patterned maxi dress, the groom-to-be wore shorts and an ill-advised pair of sandals.

The Manchester United footballer may have seemed better prepared for the beach, but the brief ceremony at the town hall in Santa Margherita, was actually vital preparation for his wedding.

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Wedding guests can enjoy luxurious facilities throughout

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Coleen and guests can even get their hair done on board

In front of the mayor, the couple said to each other: 'What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine.' He gave permission for them to marry after they confirmed there was no legal impediment to them doing so.

Meanwhile, the couple's family and friends boarded a private jet and descended on Genoa Airport en route to the multi-million pound affair.

Coleen's parents, Colette and Tony led the way, as did Wayne's newly slimmed down mother Jeanette, 41.

Inside the beautiful Italian Catholic church that the couple will be wed

The bride's mother opted for a chic dress to travel on the specially chartered jet, laid on by the millionaire footballer.

While Rooney's mother opted for a more youthful look in jeans, Converse pumps and a white vest.

Coleen's father Tony, helped her nan Pat onto the plane, as scores of family and friends turned up, clearly excited at the prospect of attending the much-talked about wedding.

Wayne Rooney and Coleen at the town hall in Santa Margherita where they reportedly had a civil ceremony ahead of the big day scheduled for June 14

Mother of the bride, Colette McLoughlin, left, and of the groom, Jeanette Rooney, right

Coleen's father Tony aids Wayne's grandmother Pat onto the chartered jet

More guests arrive for the big bash which is scheduled to take place June 14

Rooney's Manchester United teammate Wes Brown arrives with his girlfriend

Coleen's fashionable girlfriends appeared to dominate the party flying in from Liverpool for the nuptials taking place in a 16th century villa on the Italian Riviera this Thursday.

The couple have hired a £40million yacht, the Alysia, for three days at a cost of £300,000 and will use it to hold a reception for their 64 wedding guests.

The party flew to Nice, in the South of France, on five private jets, before setting sail to Portofino on the Alysia.

Miss McLoughlin's priest, from Liverpool, will later bless the couple, both 22, at the 12th century abbey La Cervara, on the Ligurian coast.

The Alysia sleeps 36 in 18 state rooms with handmade carpets, silk curtains and Michelangelo marble bathrooms.

But only Mr and Mrs Rooney will spend the wedding night on the boat - tended by 36 crew.

That's amore: The golden couple enjoy a smooch in a cafe in Portofino, Italy ahead of the big day

Coleen and Wayne's fashionable party guests make an impression at Genoa Airport

Wayne and Coleen have invited close friends and family to their intimate wedding in glamorous Italy

Louis Vuitton luggage optional, jeans and wedges standard travel wear