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Eunice Kennedy Shriver wore her grandmother's vintage Dior dress from 1953 to her Miami wedding

Samantha Grindell   

Eunice Kennedy Shriver wore her grandmother's vintage Dior dress from 1953 to her Miami wedding
Thelife3 min read
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who is named after her grandmother, got married to Michael "Mikey" Serafin Garcia in October 2020.
  • Shriver wore her grandmother's vintage Dior wedding dress from 1953 to the event.
  • She had a custom bodice and complementary veil made to match the original skirt, as well as a matching, shorter skirt she wore for the wedding reception.
  • "The dress was as delicate as tissue paper," Shriver told Vogue.

The latest in a long line of Kennedys celebrated a life milestone last month.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who is named after her grandmother — a sister of the late President John F. Kennedy — married Michael "Mikey" Serafin Garcia on October 17 in Miami, Florida.

Shriver and Garcia were originally supposed to have a 200-guest celebration, but they decided to have a smaller affair with just their immediate families because of the coronavirus.

Although Shriver's grandmother died in 2009 and couldn't be at the wedding in person, her granddaughter paid tribute to her by wearing her wedding dress.

Shriver wore her grandmother's vintage Dior wedding dress

The original Eunice wore the Dior dress to her own wedding 67 years ago.

"My grandmother wore it at her wedding to my grandfather on May 23, 1953, and 67 years later, I wore it to marry Mikey," Shriver told Vogue's Alexandra Macon. KT Merry documented the wedding day.

Although the dress was over half a century old, Shriver didn't have to make any big alterations to it. But the dress had been damaged with age, as it had faded in color and developed a few holes.

"The dress was as delicate as tissue paper," Shriver told Vogue. "So we had to handle it with great care. I was afraid to even sit!"

Shriver restored the gown with the help of Ever After Miami, which also made her a matching bodice and complementary, ivory veil.

The couple tied the knot at Shriver's family's Catholic church

Shriver and Garcia attend the church as a couple every weekend, according to Vogue.

"We had a traditional Catholic wedding with a full mass," Shriver said, adding that their families only filled the first few pews in the church.

Garcia told Vogue the ceremony was the "best moment of his life," and that Shriver was "the most beautiful bride ever."

Shriver's grandparents also took part in the day through her grandmother's baby-blue convertible. The bride arrived in the 1965 Lincoln Continental, allowing her to make a grand entrance.

The couple had a wedding reception with friends

Although only their families attended the ceremony, Shriver and Garcia had a small reception at the Four Seasons Surf Club with a few friends

"I knew how much it would mean to him to see some of our closest friends to celebrate," Shriver told Vogue of her husband, who she describes as "Mr. Social."

Although her grandmother's dress was stunning, it wasn't ideal for the party because of its age. Shriver swapped her grandmother's gown for a custom "after-party skirt" made by Ever After Miami.

It ruffled similarly to the longer skirt, and it flowed seamlessly into the bodice. She wore it with sneakers.

The couple said the wedding was special for them because it gave them a reason to spend time with family after months of having to be apart.

"My sister, Carolina Shriver, said in her speech that this night and this wedding changed the narrative of 2020 for her from one of fear to one of love," Shriver told Vogue.

Read more about the couple's wedding in Macon's feature for Vogue here.

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