Just six months after their Portofino wedding, Georgia and Joe Penna are the proud parents to twin boys.
The news was revealed in the media over the weekend, although Irish model Georgia slammed reports her sons were adopted. Now, a source close to the couple has revealed that Georgia and Joe used a US surrogate to give birth to their babies.
"Georgia’s twins were born with the help of a surrogate," a friend tells the Irish Mirror. And indeed, a look through the model's Instagram feed shows she did visit the US around eight weeks ago.
A photo posted by Georgia Penna (@georgiapenna) on
"The surrogate was arranged in the US and she [Georgia] is over the moon to have two healthy, happy baby boys."
After news of her sons' arrivals went public over the weekend, newlywed Georgia took to social media to confirm it.
"Delighted with the arrival of twin boys, the most special, perfect little babies and we are so in love," she wrote.
"They are NOT adopted… I won’t be posting any photos of them on social media as I’d like to keep them private."
Georgia has made no secret of her desire to start a family, admitting last year that it was certainly on the horizon for herself and Joe.
"In the future, I really want to have children. Of course it’s something I think about. I think most girls think about babies.
"Kids are something I definitely want."
In the weeks following the birth of her new sons, Georgia was noticeably quieter on social media – leading fans to speculate if she might be keeping something under wraps.
“Delighted with the arrival of twin boys, the most special, perfect little babies and we are so in love,” she posted on the social networking site.
Mrs Penna, the name she took after her marriage, was spotted out in London last week, wheeling around a baby buggy.
It is said that her mother and sister have travelled to the UK in order to be with the new mum and her babies before Christmas.
Reports in a national newspaper this morning wrongly claimed that her newborn sons had been adopted in recent weeks, but Georgia immediately shut down those rumours.
“They are not adopted. I won’t be posting any photos of them on social media as I’d like to keep them private."
Held in the picturesque Italian costal town of Portofino last month, Georgia Salpa married businessman Joe Penna in a stunning ceremony.
The 30-year-old Dublin model, who wore two gowns on her Big Day, took to Instagram following the ceremony to thank the couple's family and friends for what was evidently a truly magical day.
The bride and groom the morning after their Big Day
The bride and groom had opted to keep the ceremony and celebrations largely private, save for a sneak-peak of her second, evening-time dress which was published by SHEmazing! Guests also posted some beautiful shots of the venue and table arrangements.
However, thankfully for her many fans, Georgia's been a lot more open about her incredible honeymoon – an amazing-looking trip which brought the love-birds to San Diego for a few days and then on to BoraBora for a ten-night break.
Georgia in her second dress of the evening, posing alongside a guest
Indeed, we reckon the glorious snaps are the perfect pick-me-up to brighten up a Monday evening.
So without further ado, we bring you Georgia Salpa's incredible honeymoon diary – as told in her own pictures…
The duo evidently had lots of fun in the Californian city of San Diego. On their arrival they visited the world-famous zoo there, and also took a tour around the harbour area on Segways. Georgia, naturally, looked incredibly pretty in a navy playsuit.
Still, being on honeymoon is no excuse for missing your regular work-out sessions – for which Georgia is well-known. She went running while in San Diego, taking advantage of the gorgeous weather by going out in a brightly-coloured crop top and leggings.
At least working out means you can tuck into some serious treats, including cake. Ms Salpa made sure to buy a baked delight from a quirky cupcake ATM.
Her first snap from Bora Bora – a tropical Pacific Ocean island paradise which is part of French Polynesia – showed her sitting cross-legged on a wicker chair. She wore a casual straw hat and aviator sunglasses too.
Mr and Mrs Penna are certainly a health-conscious couple – and they made sure to get in the likes of bicycle rides while at their resort.
On other occasions, they mixed-up their keep-fit activities by going for a hike
To pass the time, they also played cards – though in Bora Bora the means propping up a table in the sea and playing while waist-deep in warm water.
Proving she's not a one-trick pony, Ms Salpa also showed off her incredible body in an amazing one-piece swimsuit, which she bought a vintage shop in San Diego.
Another shot also showed her walking up the beach in a beautiful, wide-brimmed sun hat and a neutral-colour swimsuit.
Home-time: all good things must come to an end, and Georgia – the new Mrs Penna – has now returned to Spain, where the couple is based. Congratulations, Georgia and Joe!
She married her fiance Joe Penna in a beautiful ceremony in the Italian costal town of Portofino on Saturday.
And although the bride and groom are thought to have issued a strict 'no photos, no social media' order for the Big Day itself, sneak-peak snaps have begun to emerge.
Indeed, Georgia's wedding reception dress has now been disclosed: SHEmazing! can exclusively reveal that she looking breathtaking in an off-white gown complete with a tulle fish-tail and train. It was furthermore adorned with floral beading.
Georgia, seen posing up with guest Chris Iwelumo, looked stunning
She wore her hair down in a simple style, and accessorised with diamond drop earrings.
It represented a second gown for the Greek-Irish beauty: earlier in the day, the 30-year-old had worn a more formal princess-style, A-line dress complete with full-length veil while exchanging vows with her partner of three-years. The white strapless number also sported a classic sweetheart neckline.
Another image, shared online by bridesmaid Louise Kavanagh's fiance Chris Iwelumo, offers a further glimpse into the lavish-looking reception, which was held at the five-star Belmond Hotel Splendido – reportedly the same spot where Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor.
It shows tables of ten guests sitting at round tables which have been clad in a soft blue tablecloth. Elegant cream chair-covers are also visible, as are the centre-pieces: beautiful cream roses interspersed with lily of the valley.
Louise Kavanagh can be seen in the same shot in her bridesmaid's get-up: a Eliza and Ethan wrap dress, also in soft blue.
The item, which can be worn in dozens of different ways, was chosen by Rosanna Davison for her five bridesmaids – albeit in a rose pink colour – when she married in Ibiza a year ago.
Ms Kavanagh, who knows Georgia from their modelling and photocall days in Dublin, was one of the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant's seven bridesmaids.
Also captured in Mr Iwelumo's photo are fellow models Karena Graham, and Daniella Moyles, as well as Leah O'Reilly – who was among those who gave a reading during the 30-minute long ceremony.
Daniella herself had earlier shared a similar image, along with the playful caption: "The rowdy table."
The model and presenter can be seen holding a fan – a touching memento given to guests before the ceremony to help them stay cool in the Italian warmth. Engraved on the arm is the message: "Georgia & Joe 30th May 2015".
As the night wore on, invitees also made use of the ice cream station and the photo-booth and novelty props on offer, while after-hours the party retired to the hotel's cave-like nightclub where dancing to a live DJ continued until the early morning.
The evening before the wedding bash, a chic low-key cocktail party was held on site, with the bride opting for an aqua-coloured floral dress.
A photo posted by Emily Mackeogh (@emilymackeogh) on
The Belmond Hotel Splendido has 64 rooms and charges an eye-watering €1,100 a night for a standard room, with junior suites coming in at €2,800 a night (understandably, some guests therefore opted to stay in the nearby town of Santa Margherita Ligure).
The five-star venue, which is perched above the Portofino harbour, occupies a former 16th-century monastery and also boasts an infinity pool, four acres of olive-lined tropical gardens and a luxurious spa offing the likes of massages, facials, and beauty treatments.
Former guests include Edward the Duke of Windsor, Winston Churchill, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
A typical five-course wedding reception meal at the hotel, including lobster and prawn salad, risotto with asparagus tips, home-made ravioli, and oven-baked local sea bream, costs €175 per person.
She's married! Yes 30-year-old Georgia Salpa is officially off the market: she wed her fiance Joe Penna in the Italian costal town of Portofino yesterday afternoon.
The couple, who have been together for three years, said their vows in front of 100 guests – most of which had flown in from Dublin and London over the preceding days.
Earlier today, she took to Instagram to share the first snap of 'Mr and Mrs Penna' – who were both looking remarkably fresh-faced despite the night's festivities.
"Truly the most magical, romantic perfect weekend," the bride said in the accompanying caption. "We couldn't have wished for a more amazing wedding.
A photo posted by Georgia Salpa (@georgiasalpa1) on
"It was a fairytale, and in every way a dream come true!" she added. "Thank you so much to all our family and friends for making it so special for us. Incredible few days, so much love."
Significantly, however, they both kept their ring fingers on their left hands covered so as not to reveal their wedding bands.
As well as their immediate families, Michele McGrath, Louise Johnston, Emily Mackeogh, Karena Graham, and Maurice Flynn were all also in attendance.
One report suggested the bride opted to wear a full-length veil and that her figure-hugging, ivory-coloured gown, which she sourced in London, was embellished with subtle beading and crystals.
Sadly, however, only invitees know for sure as the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant has yet to release an image of her wedding day attire.
The couple booked two other spectacular venues in southern Europe before changing their minds and swapping to Portofino – a location known for its opulence and luxury.
Guests were treated to a sunshine-drenched champagne and cocktail reception at a five-star venue overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, before sitting down for a top-class meal and expertly-matched wines.
The food was inspired by the local Lingurian region, with fresh pesto, focaccia, and fish all featuring.
Georgia wore this creation back in 2012 for Republic Of Telly
Georgia and Joe were engaged in India in the autumn of 2013, where they were holidaying at the time.
The model later revealed that her beau had gone all out for the occasion – arranging a candle-lit dinner on the beach and fireworks to make sure it was an evening she never forgot.
They were first seen canoodling three years ago in Marbella, with the Dubliner's publicist shortly afterwards confirming that she and Joe were indeed dating. The businessman already has one child from a previous relationship.
Earlier this year, Georgia was in Barcelona for a three-night hen party with her closest friends. In a series of snaps posted online, she was seen donning party attire complete with a novelty veil.
She also spoke to The Herald in advance of her nuptials, explaining: "It's not going to be a big thing, it'll be quite low key.
"We would just rather have it for ourselves and a have a nice day. It's going to be really chilled with just close friends and family."
The newlyweds are well-known for their love of travel, and regularly jet off to exclusive locations in the Middle East, Indian Ocean, south-east Asia, and the Caribbean.
It is not yet know where their honeymoon will take them, however, it is believed that they plan on staying in situ for a number of days as most of their guests are still in the locality.
Georgia and Joe enforced a strict 'no photos, no social media' rule for the ceremony and reception, and – incredibly – not one image has so far emerged.
The pair shunned lucrative magazine deals in order to keep their day totally private. The move was hardly surprising, given that Georgia has previously said in her Star newspaper column: "Personally I would never go for an exclusive picture deal.
"Your guests sometimes have to sign contracts and they’re not allowed to take pictures. I don’t think your wedding is your own."
Irish model Georgia Salpa will swap the catwalk for the church this weekend when she gets married in Portofino, Italy.
The wedding is set to take place tomorrow, with hordes of guests flying into Milan today to be taken by coach directly to the top-secret venue.
Georgia has been keeping most of the details of her impending nuptials under wraps, but here's what we know so far…
The Groom
Georgia has been seeing millionaire hedge fund manager Joe Penna since 2012, and he popped the question during a holiday to India in December 2013.
Although Georgia was spotted flashing a diamond ring in public a few weeks later, she did not officially confirm that the pair were engaged until June 2014.
With the model spending most of her week in Gibraltar and Joe based in London for work, the couple's wedding and honeymoon will no doubt be a great chance for them to spend some uninterrupted time together.
The Dress
The model is rumoured to have had a gown custom designed by a London atelier, and though no details have been revealed as yet, we know whatever she wears will have to show off her famous curves to perfection. As for her bridesmaids, Georgia shared a picture from Dublin's Folkster boutique earlier this year as she and her ladies shopped for possible dresses.
The Hair
Georgia's long-time best pal Maurice Flynn will be doing her hair for the big day, and although he's keeping quiet about what he has in mind, we're sure her long, dark brown locks will look perfect.
The Bridesmaids
There will be a big crowd at the altar tomorrow, as Georgia has a team of seven bridesmaids lined up for the big day. Along with her younger sisters Emma-Jane and Holly, the model will also have Fade Street star Louise Johnston and Playboy model Louise Kavanagh beside her.
Other possibles include Karena Graham, Michele McGrath and Emily MacKeogh, all of whom attended Georgia's hen party in Barcelona back in March.
The model admitted she had no idea what was planned for her hen weekend, telling Evoke.ie, "I didn’t have a clue what was going on. I was just told to go to the airport and then they told me where we were going and what we were doing."
The Guests
As well as her stellar team of bridesmaids and main man Maurice, Georgia's mum Maria, stepdad Paddy and brother Adam will also be in attendance tomorrow. While a lot of forward planning has gone into her big day, the bride says the event will be "low key" overall. "It’s going to be really chilled – Just close friends and family," she said.
There's no word yet on whether Georgia's maltese and maltipoo Bernie and Coco will be in attendance, but we wouldn't be surprised if they're employed as ringbearers for the day…
The Location
Georgia and Joe reportedly checked out a number of possible locations across Europe before settling on Portofino, Italy. The small coastal village is the perfect wedding venue, as it boasts a number of five-star resorts with incredible sea views.
Portofino is known as a favourite of celebrities, from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Rihanna, Blake Lively and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Previous couples to tie the knot in the stunning location include Wayne and Colleen Rooney, as well as Rod Stewart and Penny Lancester.
We can't wait to see the first pictures of Georgia and Joe's big day!
