Inside the lavish five-day safari wedding of 46-year-old multi-millionaire equity boss to model, 23, at the Serengeti Four Seasons

  • Sophie, 23, married Lion Capital co-founder Lyndon Lea, 46, in Tanzania on Saturday at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in Serengeti National Park
  • The couple began dating dating in 2010 when the model was just 18-years-old, and he was 40
  • Guests included actress Vanessa Hudgens, her boyfriend Austin Butler, and British Made in Chelsea star Amber Atherton, who served as a bridesmaid
  • Throughout the five-day event, attendees were treated to a host of different activities, including safari trips, parties, and dinners 

Model Sophie Dickens wed multimillionaire and Lion Capital co-founder Lyndon Lea in Tanzania on Saturday in an exotic ceremony that was held in at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in Serengeti National Park.

The 23-year-old bride and the 46-year-old English financier were surrounded by friends and family who flew far and wide to attend the destination wedding in Africa. Lea, who was born in England, grew up in Botswana, in southern Africa, until he was 13-years-old.

Famous attendees, including actress Vanessa Hudgens, her boyfriend Austin Butler and Made in Chelsea star Amber Atherton, took to their personal Instagram accounts to share stunning photos of the lavish wedding ceremony, as well as the gorgeous backdrop and surrounding wildlife.

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Blushing bride: Model Sophie Dickens, 23, wed multimillionaire and Lion Capital co-founder Lyndon Lea, 46, in Tanzania on Saturday at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the Serengeti National Park 

Blushing bride: Model Sophie Dickens, 23, wed multimillionaire and Lion Capital co-founder Lyndon Lea, 46, in Tanzania on Saturday at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the Serengeti National Park 

Almost married: The newlyweds dressed casually before their wedding as they posed for a photo in the African plains 

Almost married: The newlyweds dressed casually before their wedding as they posed for a photo in the African plains 

On her wedding day, Sophie wore an elegant lace gown that featured cap sleeves and a scooped back. Her light brown hair was pulled back in a soft updo adored with a sheer veil. 

Sophie's bridesmaids, including former reality star Amber, 24, wore pale pink gowns that matched the flowing silhouette of the bride's own dress. 

And while Sophie, who started dating Lyndon in 2010 when she was just 18-years-old and he was 40, carried a bouquet of white roses, her bridesmaids traded the traditional floral arrangements for delicate nude fans, which each had a small posy of white flowers attached. 

The couple were serenaded by musician and record producer Mikky Ekko, who sang John Legend's emotional ballad All of Me for the their first dance as man and wife, as well as his hit with Rihanna, Stay, later in the night. 

New friends:

New friends: Actress Vanessa Hudgens, 26, was one of the guests at the extravagant five-day event. She is seen posing with fellow guest Sam Fernandez in the hotel pool, which overlooks the Serengeti National Park

In sync: For their first dance, the newlyweds were serenaded by musician Mikky Ekko, who sang John Legend's emotional ballad All of Me 

In sync: For their first dance, the newlyweds were serenaded by musician Mikky Ekko, who sang John Legend's emotional ballad All of Me 

Dream team: Sophie and Lyndon smiled as they helped each other cut their three layer cake, while their friends and family took pictures of the touching moment

Dream team: Sophie and Lyndon smiled as they helped each other cut their three layer cake, while their friends and family took pictures of the touching moment

True love: Sophie took to Instagram to post this photo of her and her new husband sharing a passionate kiss, captioning the image, 'The most perfect day!'

True love: Sophie took to Instagram to post this photo of her and her new husband sharing a passionate kiss, captioning the image, 'The most perfect day!'

After the wedding Sophie shared a black and white video of their first dancing together, writing: 'The most magical day of my life! Thank you @mikkyekko for making it even more magical #SophieLyndon2015 #soinlove.' 

The newlywed, who changed her Instagram user name from @misssophiedickens to @mrssophielea shortly after the wedding, to reflect her marital status, also posted images of her with her bridesmaids and her new husband, using the couple's specially-created wedding hashtag #SophieLyndon2015.

One picture of her passionately kissing Lyndon, shortly after the couple had cut their cake, was captioned: 'The most perfect day!'

Girl squad: Before her lavish reception, Sophie posed for photos with her bridesmaids who wore pale pink dresses featuring similar silhouettes to her lace wedding gown  

Girl squad: Before her lavish reception, Sophie posed for photos with her bridesmaids who wore pale pink dresses featuring similar silhouettes to her lace wedding gown  

Friends forever: Made in Chelsea star Amber Atherton (right) shared this photo of herself with the blushing bride on Instagram, writing: 'I think I want to marry you'

Friends forever: Made in Chelsea star Amber Atherton (right) shared this photo of herself with the blushing bride on Instagram, writing: 'I think I want to marry you'

Close companions: Sophie, who wore her hair in a soft updo, looked stunning in an elegant white lace gown as she posed with her bridesmaid Tenishia McSweeney

Close companions: Sophie, who wore her hair in a soft updo, looked stunning in an elegant white lace gown as she posed with her bridesmaid Tenishia McSweeney

Meanwhile, Lyndon posted a photo of his beautiful bride, the only image on his personal Instagram account, writing: 'So humbled and honoured to have married my beautiful love this weekend.'

Sophie and Lyndon, who started dating after meeting at a polo match in 2010, designed their wedding weekend to be a stunning adventure for all of their guests - and their reception showcased the majestic beauty of Africa down to every last detail. 

The couple's three layered layered cake featured white flowers and was topped with a lion and a lioness wearing a veil instead of the traditional bride and groom. 

Emotional ballad: Mikky's performance of Stay, his hit song with Rihanna, was a favorite among many attendees who shared pictures and videos of the moment 

Emotional ballad: Mikky's performance of Stay, his hit song with Rihanna, was a favorite among many attendees who shared pictures and videos of the moment 

Safari-themed: Instead of a traditional bride and groom cake topper, Sophie and Lyndon opted for a lion and a lioness with a veil 

Safari-themed: Instead of a traditional bride and groom cake topper, Sophie and Lyndon opted for a lion and a lioness with a veil 

Perfectly placed: The tables at the reception were elegantly decorated with white flowers, carved animals and tealight candles in glass holders 

Perfectly placed: The tables at the reception were elegantly decorated with white flowers, carved animals and tealight candles in glass holders 

Added touch: Guests received gold-colored elephant carvings with their name tags wrapped the statues' necks 

Added touch: Guests received gold-colored elephant carvings with their name tags wrapped the statues' necks 

Tiny carved elephants were used as place settings for each guest at the table, while the couple's unique invitations were nearly as spectacular as the venue. 

The laser cut pop-up invite featured a scene from the Serengeti plains, and several of the animals, including elephants, lions and zebras, that the guests had the opportunity to see up close during one of the group safari trips planned during the event.

Attendees started to arrive late last week for the five-day gala event, which featured safaris and plane rides, with both bride-to-be Sophie and her guests taking the opportunity to share many a fun-filled photo of their African adventure on Instagram, including several group shots. 

Famous guest: During the five-day event, actress Vanessa posed with a glass of rosé in front of a group of hippopotamuses in a water hole

Famous guest: During the five-day event, actress Vanessa posed with a glass of rosé in front of a group of hippopotamuses in a water hole

Full of wonder: Vanessa snapped this selfie featuring a grazing giraffe over the weekend, writing: 'I can't believe I made it to Africa. Let the adventure begin'

Full of wonder: Vanessa snapped this selfie featuring a grazing giraffe over the weekend, writing: 'I can't believe I made it to Africa. Let the adventure begin'

Stunned couple: Vanessa and her boyfriend Austin Butler, 23, gazed into each other's eyes as a lion slept in the background

Stunned couple: Vanessa and her boyfriend Austin Butler, 23, gazed into each other's eyes as a lion slept in the background

Group photo: Sophie and Lyndon's weekend wedding featured safari tours where guests were able to take in their majestic surroundings

Group photo: Sophie and Lyndon's weekend wedding featured safari tours where guests were able to take in their majestic surroundings

'Today is the day I marry the man of my dreams!' Sophie captioned her group image. 'Thank you to everyone who is here with us today! Feeling so much love #family #SophieLyndon2015 #gettinghitched.'

In addition to providing plenty of entertainment for their guests, the happy couple also ensured attendees enjoyed the ultimate luxury throughout their stay.  

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge features a breathtaking infinity pool that overlooks an elephant watering hole, allowing guests to swim and take in the majestic creatures in their natural habitat. 

And sometimes the animals even come straight to your door. A few days before her wedding, Sophie posted a photo of two baboons casually walking across the deck of their hotel suite. 

Gorgeous resort: The Four Seasons Safari Lodge features a stunning infinity pool that sits in front of an elephant watering hole 

Gorgeous resort: The Four Seasons Safari Lodge features a stunning infinity pool that sits in front of an elephant watering hole 

Room with a view: Guests at the resort have picturesque views of Serengeti National Park right at their doorstep 

Room with a view: Guests at the resort have picturesque views of Serengeti National Park right at their doorstep 

Exotic neighbors: Two elephants are pictured walking past the hotel's rooms, many of which feature private pools 

Exotic neighbors: Two elephants are pictured walking past the hotel's rooms, many of which feature private pools 

Stunning backdrop: The resort, which is pictured at sunset, features contemporary African décor and unbeatable views 

Stunning backdrop: The resort, which is pictured at sunset, features contemporary African décor and unbeatable views 

'Casual afternoon catch up with our old friends!' she joked. 

Actress Vanessa Hudgens, 26, who was among the many guests who shared numerous images and videos from the vacation, kicked off her trip by posting a picture of herself on a safari with a giraffe grazing in the back drop. 

'I can't believe I made it to Africa. Let the adventure begin,' she wrote. 

Perfect detail: Guests' invitations to the wedding featured a pop-up image of the wildlife and trees in Tanzania

Perfect detail: Guests' invitations to the wedding featured a pop-up image of the wildlife and trees in Tanzania

All together: Sophie shared this photo of her friends and family in Tanzania on her Instagram account before the wedding, writing: 'Today is the day I marry the man of my dreams! Thank you to everyone who is here with us today! Feeling so much love'

All together: Sophie shared this photo of her friends and family in Tanzania on her Instagram account before the wedding, writing: 'Today is the day I marry the man of my dreams! Thank you to everyone who is here with us today! Feeling so much love'

Say cheese: The bride-to-be struck a pose with her friend and wedding guest Sam as they enjoyed sundown

Say cheese: The bride-to-be struck a pose with her friend and wedding guest Sam as they enjoyed sundown

Vanessa's other photos featured zebras, elephants and one sweet snapshot of her and Austin, 23, snapping a selfie a few hundred feet away from a lion. 

For her final picture from the vacation, the actress posed in front of a group of hippos in a watering hole.

'Hanging with some hippos and rosé. The Serengeti has been so amazing,' she wrote. 'So sad to leave. #safarichic #hungryhippo #Vcation.'

Dressed for the part: Vanessa, Austin, and fellow wedding guests wore their best safari-inspired ensembles throughout the trip

Dressed for the part: Vanessa, Austin, and fellow wedding guests wore their best safari-inspired ensembles throughout the trip

Happy together: Vanessa shared this image of her and Austin enjoying the nightlife during the decadent weekend 

Happy together: Vanessa shared this image of her and Austin enjoying the nightlife during the decadent weekend 

Awe-inspiring: Many guests took to social media to share the stunning images they captured of animal grazing in their natural habitats, including these giraffes 

Awe-inspiring: Many guests took to social media to share the stunning images they captured of animal grazing in their natural habitats, including these giraffes 

Splendid creatures: Agent Julien Miachon-Hobson, who works at Ford Models Inc., snapped this gorgeous photo of a heard of elephants by a watering hole

Splendid creatures: Agent Julien Miachon-Hobson, who works at Ford Models Inc., snapped this gorgeous photo of a heard of elephants by a watering hole

King and queen of the jungle: Meanwhile, Sam captured this image of two lions posed in the tall grass 

King and queen of the jungle: Meanwhile, Sam captured this image of two lions posed in the tall grass 

Other attendees flocked to social media to post their own stunning photos from the long weekend, using the hashtag #SophieLyndon2015.  

On Monday, Tenishia McSweeney commemorated the end of the trip by sharing a photo of some of the wedding guests, including Vanessa, Austin and Amber, at the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in Marylebone, London. 

'Last night it came to an end - until next time,' she wrote. 

Local customs: During their trip, guests got to see members of a Maasai tribe performing a chant and dance 

Local customs: During their trip, guests got to see members of a Maasai tribe performing a chant and dance 

Last Hurrah: Holly F. Nicholson posted this photo of some of the guests on their flight home, writing: 'Bar officially open at seat 21G'

Last Hurrah: Holly F. Nicholson posted this photo of some of the guests on their flight home, writing: 'Bar officially open at seat 21G'

Say goodbye: The group commemorated the end of the trip by posing for one last photo at the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in London

Say goodbye: The group commemorated the end of the trip by posing for one last photo at the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in London

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