Hollywood's hottest new husband and wife have emerged beaming in Venice with their wedding rings glinting in the sunlight.

George Clooney and British human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin were cheered by crowds as they walked hand in hand out of the luxury hotel where they married last night in front of a host of celebrity guests.

The groom, in a smart light grey suit, sported a simple ring on his left hand.

While his wife, who stunned in a daringly short white dress with pastel-coloured appliques, had a thin band studded with what appeared to be diamonds.

The actor's long term representative Stan Rosenfield confirmed the marriage in a one-line statement.

Yesterday evening guests were seen taking gondolas and canal boats to the celebration, which overlooked the romantic city's spectacular Grand Canal.

The couple were joined by their famous friends including Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Anna Wintour, Richard Kind and Bono and his wife.

Earlier the 53-year-old Oscar-winner enjoyed a drink with supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Randy Gerber on a hotel terrace.

Thirty-six year-old Alamuddin was born in Beirut, educated at Oxford, and is based in London.

She has represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and been described as a ''passionate defender of human rights''.

Clooney, 53, who shot to fame playing Dr Doug Ross in medical drama ER, was previously married to actress Talia Balsam and had said he would never marry again, though he has dated a string of women including Lisa Snowdon, Stacy Keibler and Elisabetta Canalis.