On October 18, 2025, Stella del Carmen, daughter of Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, was married in Sardón de Duero (Valladolid, Spain) at the Retuerta LeDomaine Abbey. A private and meticulously planned ceremony took place outside, where her father toasted with the journalists who had come to cover the event.
In the afternoon, the vine-lined paths served as a backdrop for a ballet of silhouettes in tuxedos and evening gowns. The venue chosen by the bride, Stella del Carmen, and her husband, Alex Gruszynski, is a former 12th-century monastery turned five-star hotel, nestled in the heart of a renowned wine estate. It was here that the family gathered between 200 and 250 guests for their highly anticipated “I do.” The choice of a heritage site, recognized by the Michelin Guide, provided a setting that blended monastic spirituality and the Iberian art of living.
The protocol was clear: maximum discretion. No cameras were allowed on the grounds, and cell phones were banned to preserve privacy. Some guests even arrived by helicopter, as the abbey had its own platform. The groom, an American entrepreneur of Polish descent and a childhood friend of Stella, sealed a romance that began in Los Angeles.
She, 29, leads a discreet life, creating short films, a brand of scented oils, and regular trips to her father’s land in Andalusia. They announced their engagement at the end of August, without ostentation. Melanie Griffith shared the news on her social media, happy for her daughter.
The guest list caused a stir. Malia and Sasha Obama were spotted around the grounds, as was Trudie Styler. On the clan side, Dakota Johnson assisted her half-sister, and the legendary Tippi Hedren honored her granddaughter. Amidst the excitement, the bride’s father summed up the spirit of the day: “My greatest wish, and her mother’s as well, is for this day to be perfect, ensuring that every detail is ready so that our guests can fully enjoy this very special day.”
Antonio Banderas makes a toast with the press
At the gates of the estate, a man in a black tuxedo raises his glass to a circle of reporters. It’s the bride’s father, Antonio Banderas. In the photos, he can be seen smiling, a flute of white wine in hand, surrounded by a maître d’ carrying a tray and an assistant holding a bottle. The procession of microphones and cameras remains at a distance; the atmosphere is light, champagnes open, knowing glances.
In another shot, the scene shifts a few meters: the same impeccable suit, burgundy boutonniere, the road runs alongside the rows of vines. The guest greets, toasts, and exchanges a few words before returning to a white vehicle parked in front of the majestic view of the abbey. The gesture is simple and cordial: a nod to those covering the party from outside. This momentary interlude encapsulates the balance sought by the family: intimacy inside, courtesy outside.
Stella, born in Spain but raised in Los Angeles, has always cultivated a certain reserve. She studied in New York and then at USC, tried her hand at acting, and asserted herself behind the camera. In 2021, she lent a hand to her father at the Malaga theater; the same year, she launched Lightbound, a line of artisanal scented oils. Alex, 28, shares this taste for simplicity. Both wanted a cosmopolitan, yet decidedly intimate celebration: no live broadcasts, no superfluous details, just close friends and a few long-time friendships.
