Christian Petracca Marries Bella Beischer in Melbourne
Christian Petracca has married his long-time partner Bella Beischer in a ceremony held at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.
The wedding marks a happy ending to a tough year for the 28-year-old AFL champion, who proposed to Beischer in 2022 at Italy's Lake Como.
Petracca wore a black tuxedo, bow-tie, sunglasses, and a fancy watch, while Beischer radiated in an elegant strapless gown.
The couple made a grand exit in a vintage Mercedes, heading to Nick Russian's Bar Bambi in AC/DC lane.
Many of Petracca's high-profile Melbourne teammates were in attendance, including captain Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, and Jack Viney.
Former Demons Alex Neal-Bullen and James Harmes, and the retired Angus Brayshaw, also attended the ceremony.
Petracca often refers to Beischer as his inspiration and "amazing support" person, with "great values who is ambitious and competitive".
The wedding ends a challenging year for Petracca, who struggled with mental health issues after a shocking injury in Melbourne's clash with Collingwood on King's Birthday.
He suffered a lacerated spleen, four broken ribs, and a punctured lung, spending nearly a week in ICU after undergoing emergency surgery.
Rumours surfaced that Petracca and his family were frustrated with the club, while questions were asked about the medical staff who sent him back onto the field despite the brutal injuries.
At the end of August, the club released a statement with quotes from Petracca, saying "I make no apologies for wanting to better our club and contribute to our success both on and off the field".
The statement also said that Petracca remained "committed to playing for the red and blue", ending speculation about his future with the team.
Petracca and Beischer's romance began two years before he proposed, and she has been a constant source of support for him throughout his career.
The couple's wedding was a celebration of their love and commitment to each other, marking a new chapter in their lives together.