A MAGAZINE from the States claims Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem may be planning a wedding in the near future – possibly as early as this Christmas.

According to InTouch, a friend of the couple is believed to have said that they intend to get married very soon.

The only Spanish actors to have won an Oscar award, Cruz and Bardem have always been very tight-lipped about their relationship, although InTouch claims the former was seen wearing what could have been an engagement ring.

“Penélope's parents are conservative Catholics, and they are pressuring her to marry Javier.

“Javier would like to take things more slowly, but Penélope wants to make her parents happy,” the article proclaims.

The InTouch reporter suggests that the wedding date could fall right in the middle of the awards and red carpets season in Hollywood, thus coinciding with the première of Cruz's new film, Nine.

Her film will be aired before a limited audience on December 18, and a more general viewing public in time for Christmas Day.

InTouch has written that Cruz has met with her favourite designers in order to plan her wedding dress.

“Since she and Javier are from Spain, she would love for a Spanish designer to create her dress,” says the report.

However, it also suggests she may opt for a dress by Balenciaga, like her Mexican actress friend Salma Hayek.