It was a day straight out of a fairytale as Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith’s daughter, Stella Banderas, tied the knot with her childhood sweetheart in a romantic ceremony in southern Spain this weekend. The intimate yet glamorous event, held at a centuries-old estate nestled in the hills of Málaga, was attended by close family, lifelong friends, and a few famous faces from both Hollywood and Spanish cinema.
Stella, 29, looked radiant in an ethereal off-the-shoulder gown designed by Carolina Herrera — a tribute to her Spanish heritage and timeless style. Her veil, embroidered with delicate lace from Seville, trailed behind her as she walked down the aisle to a live string rendition of “Besame Mucho.” The bride was escorted by her father, Antonio Banderas, who was visibly emotional as he kissed her hand before giving her away.
Guests described the moment as “magical” and “deeply personal.” One attendee shared, “Antonio was beaming the entire day. You could tell he was proud beyond words. When he toasted the couple later that evening, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
The ceremony took place in a private garden filled with olive trees, roses, and lanterns that glowed softly as the sun began to set. Stella’s mother, Melanie Griffith, watched tearfully from the front row, holding hands with longtime friend and actress Dakota Johnson — Stella’s half-sister — who served as maid of honor. The sisters shared a sweet hug before the vows, a moment captured by photographers as one of the day’s most touching scenes.
The groom, who reportedly grew up with Stella in Los Angeles before reconnecting years later in Europe, looked dashing in a tailored navy suit. Their love story, described by friends as “fate meeting patience,” began when they were just teenagers, and blossomed into a lifelong bond grounded in friendship and shared values.
Following the ceremony, guests gathered under a canopy of string lights for a lavish outdoor reception featuring traditional Andalusian cuisine, local wines, and live flamenco performances. Antonio, ever the showman, surprised everyone by joining the band to sing a soulful Spanish ballad dedicated to his daughter and new son-in-law. “May your hearts always dance in rhythm,” he said, raising his glass in a toast that drew cheers and applause.
Melanie Griffith, elegant in a pale blush gown, later posted a heartfelt message on Instagram alongside a candid photo of Stella and Antonio dancing: “My heart is full. Love is the legacy that binds us all.”
The newlyweds are said to be honeymooning along the Amalfi Coast before returning to Madrid, where Stella has been quietly building her career as a writer and filmmaker.
For Antonio Banderas, who often speaks about his deep bond with his daughter, the day marked not just a wedding — but the beautiful continuation of a family legacy built on love, art, and unbreakable ties. “She’s my heart,” he once said of Stella — and on this golden Spanish evening, that heart was glowing brighter than ever.