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Marcus Bontempelli and his longstanding partner Neila have tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in California.
With the curtain having now fallen on the 2025 footy season, wedding bells are starting to ring as players from various clubs have been jetting around the world to say ‘I do’.
And the Western Bulldogs skipper is the latest player to tie the knot, with he and several of his team-mates and coach Luke Beveridge all flying out to the West Coast of America for Bont’s big day.
Neila and Bont tied the knot at the luxurious Rancho Las Lomas in the Napa Valley.
Neila, a business development manager who works in the health industry, hails from Canada and also plays ice hockey for the Melbourne Ice.
The pair are understood to have met back in 2021 while she was holidaying in Western Australia and Bontempelli, 29, had led his side out in the Grand Final that year at the Optus Stadium.
Marcus Bontempelli and his new wife Neila Brenning (pictured) showed off their wedding rings after the couple were married at a stunning ceremony in Napa Valley, California this weekend
Brenning stunned in a beautiful white gown. Bontempelli (left) arrived wearing a slick black tuxedo and bow tie
The happy couple were seen sharing an intimate moment during the celebration as they stopped for a quick embrace
The happy couple have been together ever since, with the footy star having got down on one knee last November, during a romantic trip to Tuscany, Italy.
And this weekend, the couple tied the knot in front of approximately 100 of their close friends and family.
Neila donned a stunning white gown that featured an embroidered floral pattern which weaved its way down her hips.
The Bulldogs’ midfielder, meanwhile, sported a black suit with a bow-tie and was also seen singing the iconic song Wonderwall by Oasis with his groomsmen prior to the ceremony.
Last year, he paid tribute to his new wife and family after he was awarded the Leigh Matthews trophy as the most valuable player in the AFL.
‘I’ll start with where it all begins and finishes, and that’s with my family, the support you get from people in your corner: my folks, three sisters and their partners, and especially my partner Neila,’ Bontempelli said.
‘Through all the good things and also the challenges at times, I’m so lucky to be so well supported through thick and thin, and family is one thing you can always rely on, no matter what. Thank you to my family, it’s a special experience to have you all here with me.’
Guests were chauffeured to the stunning Silverado venue by bus.
Bontempelli and his groomsmen sang Wonderwall by Oasis before they departed their hotel for the ceremony
Meanwhile, Bontempelli's team-mate Cody Weightman stopped for a picture with his coach Luke Beveridge (left and right) with the Western Bulldogs boss seen wearing a paper In-N-Out burger hat
Other members of the Bulldogs squad were in attendance, including Tom Liberatore and Ed Slater
Bontempelli popped the question to Neila last year during a romantic getaway to Tuscany, Italy. It is understood they first met back in 2021
The pair were married at the stunning Rancho Las Lomas in the Napa Valley
The wedding party were seen taking in the beautiful scenery at the stunning California ranch
Pictures posted on social media by The Petal Edition showed the ranch was situated in a lush forestry oasis, with guests also seen dancing late into the night in one clip.
A host of Bontempelli’s team-mates were in attendance, including Tom Liberatore and Ed Slater, who was accompanied by his fiancee Elle Neofytou.
Jason and Logan Johannisen were also snapped at the wedding along with Aaron Naughton, Rhylee West and Bailey Williams.
Rather hilariously, Cody Weightman took to Instagram to publish a photo of himself and the team’s senior coach, Beveridge, smiling while they enjoyed the celebrations.
Beveridge was bizarrely wearing a pair of sunglasses and a paper hat from the fast-food burger chain In-N-Out Burger.
‘My coach is better than yours,’ Weightman, who has now jetted off to New York, captioned the post.
Bontempelli isn’t the only AFL player to tie the knot this weekend, though.
Geelong star Jack Bowes and his beau Jasmine also said ‘I do’ over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Jack Bowes and his partner Jasmine (pictured) also tied the knot this weekend
The pair danced the night away in front of family and friends, with several of Bowes' Geelong team-mates, including Mitch Duncan, in attendance
Guests also included Geelong's Tom Stewart and Jeremy Cameron. Jasmine and Jack have been together for many years and first announced their relationship back in 2019
Jasmine grabbed the microphone and was seen singing and dancing around her beau as their guests watched on
Jasmine, who is a practising Dietitian from Queensland, said yes after Bowes popped the question in December 2023
The pair have also been together for many years, with Jasmine taking to Instagram back in 2019 to reveal their relationship publicly for the first time.
Jasmine, who is a practising Dietitian from Queensland, said yes after Bowes popped the question in December 2023.
And the happy couple were also seen dancing the night away in front of their wedding guests.
But it seems love is in the air in the AFL at the moment, with plenty of other footy players set to get married during the 2025 off-season.
Bontempelli’s team-mate Rory Lobb and his content creator fiancee Lexi Mary will wed in Melbourne in November before heading out to the Maldives with friends and family - where he proposed.
Their team-mate Richards is also set to wed his beau, Neofytou, while Bailey Dale will marry Erin Meade.
Gold Coast star Tiger Daniel Rioli will marry DJ Paris Lawrence in Byron, while Caleb Serong is set to say ‘I do’ with Chloe Furnari.
