Stella del Carmen Banderas, the daughter of Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, tied the knot in a fairy-tale wedding over the weekend.
At 29, she married her childhood sweetheart Alex Gruszynski at the enchanting Retuerta Le Domaine Abbey, an old monastery nestled on a sprawling wine estate in Valladolid, Spain.
The ceremony drew an impressive roster of guests, including the daughters of former U.S. President Barack Obama—Malia and Sasha—as well as Stella’s half-sister Dakota Johnson, her legendary grandmother Tippi Hedren, and Trudie Styler, wife of musician Sting.
According to Hola! magazine, the event was kept under strict wraps, with a no-phones policy for guests and confidentiality agreements signed by all staff.
A Lavish Affair from Start to Finish
With around 200 to 250 guests in attendance, the celebrations spanned the entire day.
Guests enjoyed an outdoor cocktail reception, followed by a gala lunch, and concluded with a lively evening party featuring an open bar and live performances.
Photos captured the happy couple walking hand-in-hand, with Stella glowing in a stunning off-the-shoulder wedding gown featuring long, dramatic sleeves that brushed the floor
. Alex complemented her perfectly, looking sharp in a classic black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and black bowtie.
Antonio Banderas, also in a black tuxedo, raised a glass in pride, celebrating his daughter’s big day.
A Family’s Journey and Enduring Bonds
Stella was born in 1996, the same year her parents tied the knot.
Despite Antonio and Melanie’s separation in 2014 and subsequent divorce in 2015, the former couple has remained close over the years.
Melanie also has children from previous relationships: Dakota Johnson with Don Johnson, and Alexander Bauer with Steven Bauer.
A Love Story Years in the Making
Stella and Alex’s romance dates back to preschool, and their love story has only grown stronger over time.
The couple announced their engagement in August 2024, with Stella sharing a glimpse of her sparkling diamond ring and gushing, “I get to hang out with my favorite person on earth forever!” Melanie quickly joined in the celebration online, writing, “I love you both sooooo much! Congratulations again.”
Antonio also shared his joy with People magazine, saying, “I feel great! She’s happy, I’m happy,” and praised Alex, noting, “He’s awesome.
I’ve known him since he was a little kid.”
Returning to Her Roots in Málaga
For Antonio, seeing his daughter marry in Spain was particularly meaningful.
Speaking to Hola!, he said, “Seeing my daughter dressed as a bride will be one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
I get to be the father of the bride, and it’s a role I take on with all the emotion in the world.”
He added that having the wedding in Spain allowed Stella to reconnect with her Andalusian roots, sharing her heritage with her husband and his family, and creating a truly memorable celebration in the heart of her homeland.