Venice to close area for Clooney wedding

MILAN - Venice city officials are closing a walkway fronting the picturesque Grand Canal on Monday to keep crowds away from George Clooney's wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin.

The city on Thursday issued an order closing walkways accessing the 16th Century Cavalli Palace for at least two hours Monday, citing "the George Clooney wedding."

A city official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said city police requested the closure to prevent crowds from gathering and creating a safety risk. The official said such closures have taken place previously for both public and private events.

The Cavalli Palace is used for civil marriage ceremonies, with rooms overlooking the Grand Canal and the famed Rialto Bridge.