Although Penelope Cruz hasn’t publicly admitted that she is engaged, the beautiful star was seen wearing her blue sapphire engagement ring from actor Javier Bardem during a recent appearance on Late Show With David Letterman. “They will marry very soon, maybe even over the holidays,” says a friend. “Penelope’s parents are conservative Catholics and are really pushing for her to get married. Javier would like to take things slowly, but Penelope wants to make her parents happy.” And an insider reveals that she has been quietly meeting with her favorite fashion designers to plan for her upcoming wedding. “Since she and Javier are from Spain, she’d love to have a Spanish designer create her dream gown,” says the insider, who adds that Penelope is looking at the House of Balenciaga, since its founder was from Spain. That designer comes highly recommended — her best friend, Salma Hayek, wore one of their stunning creations during her romantic wedding to billionaire François-Henri Pinault in Paris in February. “Salma’s dress was specifically designed for her by the company’s creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière, and it was just beautiful,” says the insider. While Balenciaga doesn’t have a bridal line, they do make one-of-a-kind gowns for special VIPs and celebrities. “I’m sure they would be more than thrilled to create a gown for Penelope,” says the source. According to an insider, Penelope knows her wedding gown “will be the most important dress of her life.”

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