The final countdown! George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin are joined by their celebrity pals as they prepare for wedding in Venice

The countdown has officially begun for George Clooney’s final hours as one of the world’s most famous bachelors.

As the 53-year-old continued preparations for his Saturday 

 with fiancé Amal Alamuddin, 36, a host of well-heeled guests began jetting over to romantic Venice, Italy, ahead of the nuptials.

His close pal Matt Damon was one of the first guests seen arriving in the picturesque city, as he boarded a taxi boat with his beautiful wife Luciana Barroso on Friday.