American Vogue's wedding of the year
The magnificent welcome billboard at the local airport in Patagonia.
Alex and Sofia posing alongside the official wedding mascot, Darth Vader, who happens to be Alex's favourite space character.
Day 1 of 3: Arriving on horseback for the gaucho (Argentinian-cowboy) picnic.
Wedding guests Constance Jablonski & Iman Izemrane in their gaucho outfits.
One of Alex's groomsmen surprised the couple and their guests by flying in Beyonce's famous tour dancers, Les Twins, who kicked off a dancing flash mob mid picnic.
Guests arriving by ferry to the ceremony location.
The bride in a custom Valentino couture wedding dress.
Nicholas Kirkwood custom shoes compliment the dress's intricate bead work.
Finishing touches being attended to before the bride stepped out in front of her 300 guests, including one King Charles spaniel.
Alex leads his 'Best Woman' and groomsmen off the boat and onto the beach.
Sofia arriving with her father and sister.
A fleet of flower girls and boys walk Sofia to the aisle, her 15-foot veil spinning in the wind.
Obligatory photo shoot dress touch ups.
Sofia & Alex
Colourful guests in traditional sevillana dresses.
A dreamy forest setting for the wedding luncheon.
Sofia in full party mode in her disco-inspired Rodarte dress.
The specially illustrated travel booklet given to each guest after the three-day affair. Most were continuing on to explore the area, and the booklet details all of the things to do close by.
When American Vogue selects one marital celebration and dubs it the wedding of the year, you absolutely take note. Sofia Sanchez Barrenechea and Alex de Betak took their vows on day two of a three-day celebration in the wilds of Patagonia. The location was chosen by Sofia, who grew up in Buenos Aires, but spent holidays in Patagonia's lake district. 300 guests flew to partake in festivities that spared no detail nor extravagance, committing to four dress codes that ranged from white tie and gaucho-inspired dress to 'tango smart', and attire for a glittering barn party.
This art director (Sofia) and events producer (Alex) pairing is quite possibly an essential combination for executing such a committed occasion. To ensure guests felt welcome in such unfamiliar territories, the pair organised a welcome billboard at the local airport, featuring Darth Vader, the official wedding mascot. The ceremony was held on a deserted volcanic beach with breathtaking mountain ranges and forests all around. Guests arrived via ferry, while the bride, her father and her sister, magically appeared upon a beautiful 50s Chris Craft wooden boat. The occasions that followed included a post-ceremony luncheon in a forest clearing, followed by a Cumbia-styled dance party where Sofia changed from couture Valentino to two different, and equally dreamy custom Rodarte dresses. The next morning called for a tango brunch (obviously), where the happy couple deftly performed the sultry Latin-American dance for their party-worn guests.
Guests were suitably noteworthy, with the likes of designer Jason Wu, model Constance Jablonski and Anja Rubik all in attendance. And possibly the most impressive element, if choosing, was the food preparation, with Argentine chef Mallmann and a staff of 240 preparing delicious feasts for three days in the most remote of settings, without so much as the requisite kitchen or utilities.
Forget wedding of the year, this is the wedding of the century. Aspirational, other-worldly and slightly nauseating for those who know how much effort, funding and care goes into the standard one day affair. This is high society celebration and civility held in seriously jaw-dropping surrounds.
*All photos from Vogue.com