Antonio Banderas Shares Heartfelt Words After Stella’s Fairytale Wedding

It was a wedding soaked in sentiment, sunshine, and soul — and for the legendary "Spy Kids" actor, it meant more than walking his daughter down the aisle.

On Saturday, October 18, Stella Banderas Griffith, Antonio Banderas, and Melanie Griffith's daughter married her childhood sweetheart, filmmaker Alex Gruszynski, in an intimate ceremony in Spain. Two days later, her father, the "Mask of Zorro" star, poured his heart out in a rare and deeply personal Instagram post.

The "Desperado" actor attached a message that offered a glimpse into just how profound the day had been in the October 20, 2025, video montage. He wrote:

"The wedding of my daughter Stella has turned into a heartfelt family reunion, emotional, joyful, and full of laughter. Thank you to everyone who made this possible."

The day wasn't just about love — it was a reclaiming of heritage, a reconnection with roots, and a proud nod to the homeland that shaped him.

A Father's Pride and a Daughter's Heritage

In an interview with ¡HOLA! Magazine before the big day, Antonio made no secret of what this moment meant to him as both a father and a Spaniard.

"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 said. And it wasn’t just about the beauty of the moment — for the "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" star, it was about heritage, belonging, and the pride of seeing his daughter honor her roots.

"Having her get married in Spain fills me with pride. She's very Andalusian, very much from Málaga, even if she grew up in the U.S. This is her way of reconnecting with her roots and sharing her homeland with her future husband and his family," he added.

Stella echoed that deep connection. Also speaking with ¡HOLA!, she reflected on the powerful symbolism behind her choice to return to her birthplace for such a life-defining event.

"I feel so lucky to be getting married in the country where I was born," she said, describing how closely she feels tied to her father's Málaga heritage.

A Love That Started Before They Knew the Word

Their wedding took place in 2025, but Stella and Alex's love story spans decades — dating all the way back to preschool. On August 20, 2024, Stella shared the happy news of their engagement in a gleeful Instagram post.

"I get to hang out with my favorite person on earth forever!!!!!!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍" she wrote, attaching a carousel of nostalgic and heartwarming photos.

Among them was a precious image from their childhood — a candid schoolyard snapshot of a young Alex in a white T-shirt with a dragon motif, looking down shyly. At the same time, Stella stood close, smiling softly at the camera in a sleeveless white top. The lighting, the innocence, the setting — it all whispered of the early days of a storybook romance.

Another photo in Stella's engagement announcement captured a new chapter: a sun-drenched park, Alex reclined on a blanket, smiling at Stella — her hand in the foreground, the sparkling rectangular-cut diamond on her ring finger catching the light. Her mauve-painted nails complemented the tender simplicity of the scene.

'True Love, Deep Love': Melanie Joins the Celebration

That same day, Stella's mother, Melanie, a beloved Hollywood actress, also joined the celebration with her own jubilant post.

One of her photos showed Stella in a sleeveless white dress, gazing off to the side, her engagement ring gleaming. The background was filled with subtle romantic touches — pillows and what appeared to be a heart made of petals — adding an ethereal layer to an already emotional moment.

"He asked…. On bended knee… she said yes ♥️ Stella and Alex are engaged to be married ♥️ Their love story began in preschool! True love, deep love! Congratulations to the beloveds!!! ♥️💥♥️💫♥️," she wrote.

A Wedding Rooted in Legacy and Love

The wedding itself was more than a glamorous affair — it was a heartfelt union that brought together not only families, but generations of culture and history. From childhood photos to Andalusian traditions, it was a ceremony steeped in memory and meaning — and for the "The Skin I Live In" actor, it brought life full circle.

Through his heartfelt Instagram tribute, the actor reminded the world that, despite a lifetime in the spotlight and countless roles, the one that matters most isn't on screen — it's the role of father of the bride.