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DJ Tiesto and model girlfriend marry in wow-factor Utah desert wedding

DJ Tiësto and longtime partner, Annika Backes, tied the knot over the weekend [Photo: Getty]
DJ Tiësto and longtime partner, Annika Backes, tied the knot over the weekend [Photo: Getty]

DJ Tijs ‘Tiësto’ Verwest, 50, and his model partner Annika Backes, 21, tied the knot in the most Instagram-worthy wedding possible on Saturday 21 September.

The pair, who have been together for three years, celebrated the big day by renting out the entire five-star resort of Amangiri in Utah for the 80 lucky guests to stay at.

“A city that we both love a lot is Las Vegas, so we started looking at venues there, but we soon decided we wanted it to take place somewhere remote,” Backes told US Vogue.

“We explored the option of throwing a party in the desert outside of Las Vegas. But when we got into that more, we knew it was going to be too complicated to pull off. That’s when we thought of Amangiri.”

The couple first met at Catch restaurant in New York and hit it off straight away which led the duo to “hang out” for the next two months.

“When Coachella came around, we decided the day before to go together,” Backes recalls.

“We spent the weekend running around the festival and having the best time, just the two of us. When we didn’t get tired of each other for one second, and even flew back to New York City and still didn’t want to leave each other, that was when we both knew.”

Three years later, the Dutch DJ proposed over Thanksgiving while the couple holidayed in the Maldives.

The ceremony, designed by Colin Cowie Lifestyle, certainly ticked every Instagram box with 600 acres of rolling canyon providing the perfect backdrop.

READ MORE: Every celebrity wedding of 2019 so far

The newlyweds said “I do” beneath a mirrored archway which reflected the awe-inspiring rock formations surrounding them.

Tiësto teased the incredible ceremony on Instagram with a series of photographs alongside the caption: “Love of my life 21-09-2019.”

For the romantic day, the bride chose a backless lace gown by New York wedding label Berta with nothing but a Graff diamond necklace to finish. Inspired by James Bond, the groom looked unrecognisable in a Tom Ford tuxedo.

Ahead of the evening reception which took place at the main pool of the resort, Backes changed into a number by Oscar de la Renta.

To set the mood, the resort’s nearby pools were laden with endless floating candles while burgundy-hued flowers were lined up across the tables.

READ MORE: Bride walks down the aisle with 8 of her rescue dogs in tow

After dancing the night away with fireworks to conclude the festivities, the newlyweds spent the night sleeping beneath the stars.

“It was more beautiful and more special than I could have ever imagined,” Tiësto said. “To see everyone I love there and then to see the love of your life walking down the aisle, it is the best feeling in the world.”