Punta del Este, Uruguay, recently played host to a multi-day wedding festivity for Paraguayan heiress giuliana Tenace and Ricardo Squef vierci, drawing the attention of international media and onlookers. The lavish event, estimated to have cost upwards of $3 million, showcased the wealth and influence of two prominent Latin American families. From a damaged Brazilian wedding cake to a performance by Carlos Vives and a brief appearance by Shakira, the festivities unfolded across several exclusive Uruguayan locales this past Febuary and early March.
PUNTA DEL ESTE – “Yes, I do,” said Giuliana Tenace, as she married Ricardo Squef Vierci in a lavish multi-day celebration that drew international attention to Uruguay. The wedding, a high-profile event for one of Paraguay’s wealthiest families, required adjustments to the local church to accommodate the bride’s expansive gown.
The festivities, which began Tuesday, February 26th, and conclude Saturday, March 2nd, unfolded across several upscale locations in Uruguay, including Punta del Este, San Rafael, Manantiales, and José Ignacio. The event celebrated the union of Ricardo Squef Vierci with Giuliana Tenace, the daughter of a prominent Asunción-based lawyer.
Ricardo Squef Vierci is the heir to a group of companies led by Antonio Vierci, with holdings in media outlets and food distribution chains. In Uruguay, the Vierci group owns the Burger King and Subway franchises and is currently in the process of acquiring the Ta-Ta supermarket chain from the Narváez group. Giuliana Tenace comes from the esteemed Tenace-Caballero law firm.
The extended gala generated significant activity at the local airport, with numerous private aircraft arriving to transport guests. Hundreds of workers were hired, a massive tent was erected for the main dinner, and a robust security detail was implemented. The event also led to the exclusive booking of several five-star hotels to accommodate the approximately 800 attendees.
Logistical challenges arose when the four-tiered wedding cake, flown in from Brazil, was damaged. A local pastry chef and her team worked to reconstruct it. The wedding’s scale and attention to detail underscore the growing trend of destination weddings among Latin American elites.
Colombian singer Carlos Vives performed at the wedding reception, coinciding with a brief visit to Punta del Este by Shakira, both artists having previously collaborated on the hit song La Bicicleta. Shakira was in the region for concerts in Asunción and Montevideo.
The “wedding of the year,” as it was dubbed locally, drew a large crowd of onlookers to the Virgen de la Candelaria church. Spectators traveled from across Uruguay, as well as from Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, eager to witness the spectacle and the display of South American glamour.
The celebrations began on Tuesday, February 26th, with a welcome party at La Susana, a José Ignacio beach complex consistently ranked among the world’s best beach clubs.
Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to less formal activities, culminating in the religious ceremony on Friday, March 1st, at the historic La Candelaria chapel. The reception followed at the La Dalmacia residence in San Rafael, where the large tent had been erected for the dinner and dancing.
The festivities will conclude Saturday evening at the Unido Restaurante Manantiales, known for its innovative cuisine, with a special surprise planned for the guests.
Guests were accommodated at The Grand Hotel, Hotel Castilla, L’ Auberge, La Capilla, and the exclusive Hotel Fasano, which features a helipad.
The religious ceremony on Friday drew particular interest. Giuliana arrived in a classic, flower-adorned Porsche at approximately 5:45 PM. The church had been decorated for three days with flowers imported from Asunción.
The main reception featured service from dozens of waiters and kitchen staff flown in from Paraguay. The main course was a brioche steak with filet mignon Rossini, with a wild mushroom brioche as a vegetarian option. A lavish dessert buffet followed, culminating in the cake cutting.
The celebration reached its peak late into the night as the newlyweds danced to Carlos Vives, with guests joining in a chorus of “Por eso yo quiero, casarme contigo, quedarme a tu lado, morirme en tus brazos, dulce amor” (“That’s why I want to marry you, stay by your side, die in your arms, sweet love”).
