Marcus Bontempelli: AFL superstar ties the knot with Canadian Neila Brenning in stunning California wedding

Western Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli has married Canadian Neila Brenning in a stunning Californian wedding surrounded by family and friends.

Held in the sunny Napa Valley wine region, more than a hundred guests joined the pair on Friday as they tied the knot in Rancho Las Lomas — a luxurious ranch that hosts lavish weddings and private events.

With football faces at every turn, the invite list featured a host of Bontempelli’s past and present teammates including Ed Richards, Taylor Duryea, Aaron Naughton, Cody Weightman, and Jason Johannisen, as well as premiership-winning coach Luke Beveridge.

Florals for the occasion were curated by Melbourne-based florist The Petal Edition.

“We are over the moon with the beauty we sprinkled in California for two gorgeous humans.Neila & Marcus, thank you so much for having us, so honoured to have been a part of your special day. Congratulations darlings,” the florist posted to Instagram.

The high-profile event was coordinated by Beau & Blanc — an Australian boutique planning service behind the weddings of former Melbourne star Christian Petracca, and Aussie NBA export Jock Landale.

Bontempelli, 29, and Brenning met following the Bulldogs’ 2021 AFL grand final loss in Perth in 2021, with Brenning believed to have been holidaying in WA at the time.

The Canadian is a talented sportswoman herself, having represented ice hockey sides Melbourne Ice and Melbourne Reds.

The captain popped the question in Tuscany during the off-season last year, with the couple sharing cute snaps to social media of their engagement which depicted their travels around Florence.

“(Fi) Yonceeeé all on his mouth like liqua,” Brenning captioned the post, invoking a Beyonce tune.

Both frequent visitors to North America, Brenning attended the wedding of a friend in Ontario, Canada, in September, with the Herald Sun reporting the pair had enjoyed their respective bucks and hens nights in Las Vegas.

A seven-time All-Australian, Bontempelli signed on in July with the Bulldogs to remain at the club until at least the end of 2029.

The Dogs midfielder paid tribute to Brenning in 2023 when he was awarded his second Leigh Matthews Trophy and was adjudged by his peers as the league’s most valuable player.

“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.”

A further sign of the pair’s commitment was the opening of their cafe Arthur’s Milk Bar in Melbourne, which was unveiled in April this year.