Stella del Carmen, the daughter of Antonio Banderas, has decided to get married in Spain, choosing not her father’s native Málaga, but the historic grounds of Valladolid. For her celebration with businessman Alex Gruszynski, she selected a truly unique venue—Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine. This former 12th-century abbey has been transformed into a luxurious hotel with its own helipad and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Around 250 guests, including a host of Hollywood celebrities, will gather in the heart of Castilian countryside to congratulate the newlyweds.
The father of the bride, who will walk her down the aisle, does not hide his joy. He has made it clear that seeing his daughter in a wedding dress will be one of the most moving moments of his life. In his view, Stella’s choice to hold the ceremony in his homeland fills him with pride, as it is her way of reconnecting with her roots and introducing her future husband and his family to Spanish culture.
The organizers have put in tremendous effort to ensure complete confidentiality. The area around the Santa María de Retuerta monastery, where the ceremony will take place, is completely sealed off from prying eyes. Special tents have been set up around the venue, and all guests and staff, from waiters to drivers, have signed strict non-disclosure agreements. To guarantee that not a single detail leaks to the press, a total ban on mobile phone use has been imposed at the event. The entire hotel, comprising 27 rooms and three suites, has been reserved exclusively for the Banderas and Grushinski families for four days, forcing many invited guests to find accommodation in nearby hotels.
The guest list is impressive. In addition to the bride’s parents, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, the legendary grandmother of Stella, Alfred Hitchcock’s muse Tippi Hedren, will attend the wedding. Stella’s half-sisters Dakota and Grace Johnson, along with their father, actor Don Johnson, are also expected. The evening’s program includes a cocktail in the abbey gardens, a gala dinner, and a grand party with live music. About 150 extra staff members have been hired to service the event.
But the main surprises are yet to come. According to rumors, one of the guests will be Chris Martin, the lead vocalist of Coldplay, who will not only attend to congratulate the newlyweds but will also perform a small concert for them. This gesture seems especially intriguing given the musician’s recent split from Dakota Johnson after eight years together. His performance will demonstrate that they have maintained a warm relationship. The second major highlight is a gift from the father. Antonio Banderas will present his daughter with a luxurious villa in Marbella, which is currently being built on the site of his old house, “La Gaviota.”
