SPANISH silver screen stars Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem wed in the Bahamas a few days ago after months of speculation about whether they planned to tie the knot.

The nuptials between Hollywood's most famous Spaniards took place in the house of some mutual friends, with very few guests.

Only family members and close friends of the couple were at the ceremony, at which Penélope wore a gown by her friend and favourite designer, John Galiano.

This news comes after months of 'will they, won't theys', following rumours from anonymous sources started up when Penélope collected her Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Bardem did so for his No es país para viejos.

By November last year, glossies all over the world were suggesting that the couple would tie the knot in the new year and showing photographs of what they claimed was an engagement ring on Penélope's finger.

Finally, it was the tabloid National Enquirer that first dared to publish the rumour, although they were mistaken when they said that the 'attractive film stars' were planning 'a small wedding in their native land, Spain'.

Although Bardem, 41, and Cruz, 36, have been a couple since 2007 and were caught on camera in the same year on holiday together in the Maldives, they did not confirm it officially until last year when the actress – who is always reticent about revealing details of her private life – told British magazine Female First that it was 'obvious' she and Javier were 'in a relationship'.

Javier waited until the last day of Cannes festival to declare it publicly, when he made a speech that described the veteran 'Almodóvar girl' as his 'friend, companion and love'.