The discreet yet much-discussed wedding of Stella Banderas and Alex Gruszynski took place in the Ribera del Duero region, boasting a highly personal aesthetic: romanticism with Gothic undertones, abundant candlelight, lace, and a color palette dominated by white, black, and touches of red. The ceremony, shrouded in media secrecy, combined understated luxury, Spanish tradition, and meticulous planning within a 12th-century monastic setting.
Far from Hollywood, the couple chose Spain to say "I do," with a multi-day celebration that allowed their guests to explore AbadÃa Retuerta LeDomaine and the surrounding area. Confidentiality agreements, restricted mobile phone use, and strict access control made the details highly coveted until the exclusive story was published.
The enclave and the weekend agenda
The epicenter of the wedding was the chapel of AbadÃa Retuerta (Sardón de Duero, Valladolid), a deconsecrated space decorated with hundreds of candles and large curtains to reinforce the gothic fairytale atmosphere the bride desired. The pre-wedding celebration took place the day before at the nearby monastery of Santa MarÃa de Valbuena (San Bernardo), with guests arriving from Wednesday onwards and occupying the hotel-winery's mere 30 rooms .
From the very beginning, privacy was protected: a strict privacy policy , coordinated staff to guard access, and an itinerary designed to make the weekend an immersive experience of Castile and the Ribera del Duero region.
A fairytale wedding style with gothic touches
Stella collaborated with Rodarte to design a custom-made lace and chiffon gown with a sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder design, and a three-meter veil that flowed softly over her loose hair. She completed the look with diamond earrings inherited from her mother's family and an unusual bouquet for a bride: knotted black calla lilies, the piece that definitively set the gothic tone of the wedding.
The bride also adhered to the traditions of "the new, the borrowed, and the blue": the dress was the new item; the borrowed item was a piece of jewelry inherited from her mother's family; and the blue item was a nearly hidden embroidered detail inside the dress. Later, before dinner, she changed into a second, lingerie-inspired look : a custom-made silk dress by designer Jane Booke , which she accessorized with long diamond earrings.
Guests, bridesmaids and dress codes
The color scheme was evident throughout: many guests wore black, red carnations adorned the dresses, and white and ebony accents complemented the overall look. The bridesmaids were Dakota Johnson , Atherton Grace Johnson, and Adaline Gruszynski , all wearing black floral dresses, carrying bouquets of black calla lilies, and styling that perfectly matched the romantic-gothic theme.
Among the attendees were Antonio Banderas's partner, Nicole Kimpel ; Trudie Styler ; Barack Obama's daughters, Malia and Sasha ; and actors such as Drew Starkey and Odessa A'zion , as well as model Isabella Elie . The bride's maternal grandmother, Tippi Hedren , did not attend due to her advanced age.
The civil ceremony and the family winks
Guests began arriving around 17:00 PM, and shortly after 18:00 PM, Stella entered on the arm of her father , Antonio Banderas, into a chapel transformed with candles and curtains hanging from the ceiling. Alex Gruszynski , wearing a Ralph Lauren tuxedo, awaited her at the altar.
Actor Blake Lee officiated the civil ceremony, during which a piece composed by the bride's great-uncle was played. An empty chair was placed in tribute to deceased family members, and heartfelt vows were exchanged in an intimate setting. The advice from her parents, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the moment and looking into each other's eyes, reinforced the intimate atmosphere of the ceremony.
Gastronomy and toasts
The pre-wedding celebration included a menu featuring coquelet ravioli with apple and sun-dried tomato, lacquered lobster with a salad of houseleeks and citrus fruits, mille-feuille of sirloin steak with pumpkin cream, and a coulant with toffee and white chocolate soup. All paired with local wines and a highly acclaimed cocktail bar.
After the ceremony, the cocktail party in the cloister brought together Andalusian fried food, gildas , pintxos, Iberian ham cutters and a corner of freshly prepared clams, with the cuisine of chef Marc Segarra (Michelin star) and his team from Refectorio.
Dinner in the converted chapel featured ajoblanco with grapes, wild sea bass with piquillo pepper and green pepper cream, and Basque-style cheesecake, paired with red wines from AbadÃa Retuerta (Pago Valdebellón 2020), Godello , and Champagne. Antonio Banderas spontaneously toasted the press gathered outside.
Rumors and denials surrounding the wedding
There had been prior speculation, which was cleared up that same weekend: Chris Martin did not perform at the wedding, and the supposed gift of a house in Marbella from Antonio Banderas never materialized. The couple, who have known each other since childhood and live in Los Angeles, preferred to let the aesthetics, the setting, and the intimacy of their celebration speak for themselves.
Between a historical setting, a carefully crafted staging, and a visual narrative of gothic romanticism, the wedding of Stella Banderas and Alex Gruszynski left a powerful image: Spanish tradition, modernity, and discretion in perfect harmony, with family touches, memorable menus, and an organization planned down to the last detail to celebrate love without indiscreet spotlights.