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The Wedding Shoes………

 

San Miniato a Monte

DO you know I have been married 29 years this month!

Do you know I was married in Italy?

If you read my POSTS you probably already know these things about me but I do not think you know about my wedding shoes!They were made by the Gucci Factory just for me!There are no other shoes out there in GUCCI LAND currently or VINTAGE like mine.I needed a flat shoe………………never mind I had to walk a few marble stairs to get to the altar………..as we were married in a 14 century MONKS CHOIR.

IT all started with my husbands Father who worked for the Gucci Family.My husband  left the Italian NAVAL ACADEMY and went to work for them as well in the factory in SCANDICCI.

My husband grew up with Aldo Gucci’s grandsons…….they rode dirt bikes together and at one time almost went into business back in the day.I had The REAL DEAL at my wedding!GUCCI FAMILY………..now it sounds like I am bragging.NOT bragging just telling a story……..REALLY.

I was DELIGHTED with my WEDDING SHOES!They carried me where I needed to GO………….up to SAN MINIATO AL MONTE and down the winding road to VILLA CORA.It was all pretty FAIRYTALE LIKE……………..if I do say so myself.Then there was the honeymoon………sailing the Mediterranean SEA in a sailboat for two weeks.

“San Miniato al Monte is a basilica in Florence, central Italy, standing atop one of the highest points in the city. It has been described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of the most scenic churches in Italy.Above the crypt, the elevated presbytery is enclosed by a marble column fence and contains an impressive 14th century wood chorus.”This is where we said our vows…………………

Then there are the shoes……….but FIRST this is the altar where we were married under.Pretty special if I do say so myself……….can you spy the cross?Do you see the light blazing inside the church,the red specks……..that is because the marble is cut so thin.It allowed the light to enter…………pretty impressive for 14th century.No power tools!!

A look at the ONE OF A KIND SHOES!

GUCCI SHOES 1986

A PAIR OF GUCCI SHOES.When I was married it was TRADITION to drop a penny in your RIGHT shoe with the year of your BIRTH.DO they still do that?I remember  I had a few people looking for that penny!Cannot recall who found it but am VERY THANKFUL.

The shoes, the veil the wedding invitation and a special note from the MAN AT THE FACTORY who over saw the making of the slippers all rest behind a lucite box now in my wardrobe…………not a day goes by without me glancing at it.

Can you see the shoes....

Can you see the shoes….

 

THE MADE FOR ME SLIPPER.

THE MADE FOR ME SLIPPER.

They were worn just once…….then boxed in lucite.I think I get more enjoyment out of looking at them daily.The reason for this Post………..to let the SONS know what will be left behind!!

The estate liquidation will either be a NIGHTMARE or a TREASURE TROVE for the one who gets to clear it all out.My goal is to have important items photographed in an album with a bit of the history behind.So, the Boys have an idea of what they are dealing with…………..

Just so it’s NOT an overload when that day comes I have started to email them a photo from time to time with THE STORY so it will not be an UNKNOWN treasure when the time comes.

Fingers crossed it works!

XO

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Love this. Please share more of these stories with us. Love your Cinderella Slippers. I can just imagine the search for the right year penny. Are there photos of the reception? More, more, more, please.

    Reply

    • YES, there are photos of the reception…….actually I showed a few posts back with more wedding photos…………I will try to accommodate your wishes!!
      XO

      Reply

    • I’m a vintage Gucci collector and I was doing research and somehow I stumbled on your story thank you for sharing that’s amazing you should contact the Gucci Museum in Florence Italy they would probably want to put them on display in the museum. mom and I are planning to go in 2016. Ciao Tina

      Reply

  2. Such a wonderful story…and you look so beautiful in your wedding photograph, Contessa. Your wedding shoes are a treasure and the alter is exquisite…Happy Anniversary…here’s to many, many more xx

    Reply

  3. What a gorgeous bride and handsome groom… yes… MORE photos please! Love the slippers…it was a real fairy tale!

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  4. Elizabeth, Happy Anniversary and what a fascinating story of your wedding shoes, wedding and your husbands relationship with the Gucci’s! Truly wonderful!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply

  5. WOW.

    There are many reasons why I just adore you.

    Your wit. Your zest and pluck. THE STORIES YOU HAVE TO TELL! Oh, what a fairytale indeed. I would LOVE to tell a story about someone like you…..look at YOU in that magnificent gown, in that church, and your wonderful groom.

    WE are so blessed, showered with dreams not yet fulfilled, showered with goodness we have lived out during our lifetimes. Sweet Contessa, this is such a treat!

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  6. What great looking couple and those slippers, exquisite!
    San Miniato al Monte carries some special memories for me. Besides the splendid church, Piazzale Michelangelo offers a fantastic view of the city of Florence below.
    Barely out of school I was the proud owner of a Gucci wallet and belt, with the 2G buckle. They were already luxury back then, but the craftsmanship was extraordinary. I still have the belt, the wallet got stolen. I also owned a classic dark blue leather Hobo-style bag, it disappeared during our move. Nowadays the prices are exorbitant, unimaginable to even want one.

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  8. I was honored to be an invited guest at this incredible event! It was, indeed, a fairytale! An extraordinary church, steeped in history overlooking the most romantic city in Italy, the perfect backdrop for la Contessa and her Amore’. The bride was stunning and the special shoes, custom made by the premier Italian design dynasty, peeked out from beneath her beaded gown. She seemed to float about, as if on a dreamy cloud, dining, dancing and reveling with friends and family. Such an experience I will never forget. Mille grazie and Felice Anniversario!!!

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  9. Gorgeous! The shoes are perfect as if from a fairy tale. And your Italian husband, well the picture of your together it is exquisite!
    Thank you for sharing this and I love that you look at your wedding shoes every day. XO

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  10. I loved your post today. I too was married with a ‘silver’ penny in my right shoe and when I remarried I carried on the tradition. Additionally my three daughters also did the same thing. However, I didn’t know the penny was supposed to be your birth year. Oh well, it was still a fun tradition and my granddaughters will carry it onward. Thanks again for your fun post!
    Congrats as well!

    Reply

  11. I awoke this am, thank goodness!!!???? there in my inbox was a magical true story, how I loved it.
    What a truly wonderful wedding it must have been. The church with the red light and wonderful frescoes, sublime. The bride and groom radiant, and peeping out of the hem of the most divine wedding dress, the exquisite shoes. What a romantic story Elizabeth. I adored reading, I hope your gorgeous sons will treasure a long time from now.!!!!!!! I have these thoughts sometimes as a lot of my Mothers treasures just disappeared. So I will do as you are doing. Thanks lovely soul for sharing with us all. Congratulations to you both Love Susie xxxx Sydney

    Reply

    • WHAT A lovely comment SUSIE……..and all the way from AUSTRALIA!TO think we met VIA INSTAGRAM TOO!WE share the same passions for many things……….you must keep me posted on the possible BUY from that FIRE STATION GUY!

      Reply

  12. Such a very special story. Your were a gorgeous bride!! I love the slippers. So magical. Have fun back east…lets have lunch when you get back!
    xoxox

    Reply

  14. Loved seeing the shoes—the dress—the church—the bride—the groom. What? No animals? It was a treat. From all I could see, you were
    both l6.
    VIA EMAIL

    Reply

  17. What a wonderful begining to your love story, and yes my dear those shoes, my daughter love vintage Gucci and I have bought a couple of purses for her.
    That dress is magnificent, it is timeless, it’s amazing, I now look back at mine and say WHY? oh why? Yours is like WOW, and wow!
    Love all your wit, beauty, and charm.

    Happy Anniversay to you and your Italian guy :))
    Many, many more.

    Xx
    Dore

    Reply

  18. Contessa!
    Wow! The whole Cinderella story is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. Love your beautiful Gucci slippers!!!

    Reply

  20. What a beautiful memory! Thank you for the inspiration on the history of your collectables!
    Your just the luckiest gal I know!

    Reply

  21. Superb! Brava! Bravissima! I LOVED this post. May you both enjoy many more years of happiness.
    XXOO

    Reply

  22. What a lovely post. I too put a penny in my shoes when I married my Italian husband from Liguria, Italy wearing Italian Bruno Magli shoes made in Bologna. They are also ensconced in a lucite box in my closet, worn only once. I removed the penny but can clearly see the imprint where I had taped it in the toe of the shoe.

    Reply

    • LOVE that you are MARRIED to a REAL ITALIAN TOO!
      LOVE that you can see the outline of the PENNY TOO!
      I think WE will be writing together in SEPTEMBER!!!
      I must stop by your blog………….

      Reply

  23. Dreams really do come true Contessa! Your wedding story grows richer with each telling. The church is stunning and you and Giampy are out of a fairytale, yet practical and loving and real and dear, dear friends who live in my town! Lucky me!

    Reply

  25. I love this!! You are so beautiful and how very cool they made your shoes!! I would treasure them and have them on display too. I didn’t know your husband was buddies with the Gucci dynasty! Florence has the most lovely churches. Swoon! xo Kim

    Reply

  26. What a good looking couple you are…….still are!!!
    Elizabeth, so many stories, I would love to hear more about your day.
    Indeed your wedding shoes are truly special……..maybe a glass case they should have!!!!
    Like Sandra, I want to know what the card says that’s photographed with your slippers.
    Happy Anniversary Elizabeth and Giampy
    Love Neat xx

    Reply

  27. Happy Anniversary to such a wonderful, loving and beautiful couple!!
    This just made me give out the biggest, happiest romantic sigh…everything about your wedding and this post is just perfecto…
    Much Love,
    H

    Reply

  28. First of all Happy Anniversay! Such a romantic, fairytale wedding and to not only wear Gucci shoes but for the Italian husband to be friends with the sons is quite a story. Such a great idea to be telling your boys little snippets of history of some of your treasures as it will mean so much more to them in years to come. Enjoy your special day together! Will toast you both with a Prosecco – in fact we were given the same one you had for our dinner so brought it home with us! xox

    Reply

    • GOOD JOB!
      SO, you arrived safe and sound…………..
      One SON even texted me saying HE had read the SHOE STORY!!!!
      Best with everything settling into your new house!
      XO

      Reply

  29. Via Email:
    LOVE those shoes, the story that goes with them and the lady who wore them.
    I’m in Chicago after a trip to New York and a three day fun “let’s do the city” visit from Camille (her first time to Chicago).
    Let’s have a visit soon!
    Mary

    Reply

  31. Happy anniversary. Our was last week. It looks like you had a fairy-tale wedding in a gorgeous setting. The Gucci shoes must have been like the cherry on the cake. I adore weddings – when they’re done well. It’s such a great idea to share your history with your sons. So many beautiful stories get lost otherwise.

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  32. Wow, Elizabeth. The shoes are amazing. The place you were married is amazing. The story is amazing. And perhaps best of all, certainly as one listening to this personal history, is that you are still a family and a wonderful one at that.

    These days, that’s never a given. Brava, on all counts.

    xo

    Reply

  33. Elizabeth, see, I knew you were magical and it approves it with these Cinderella slippers. What a wonderful day. Happy anniversary. XOXO Ellie

    Reply

  35. Oh dear Contessa,
    What a wonderful idea. I’ve actually been doing the same thing .
    I love your posts and stories, I look forward to them.
    You are a beautiful woman, inside and out.
    Blessings, Jaylyn

    Reply

  36. I have read alot of blogs over the past couple of years and this has to be the loveliest post I have ever read. I just happened upon your page this evening. I cannot think of think of any other word to say than “lovely”. Thank you for sharing this post with all of us.

    Reply

  38. And I love that the shoes live in their own lucite box ! Where do you keep them ? ……..And Happy Anniversary to you and Giampiero !

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  39. what an exquisite memory to have! your story and the photos that accompany it are just gorgeous. i can’t imagine the boys not understanding what a privilege it will be to take over stewardship of your collection! and how could they ever get rid of something like your perfect shoes!!
    my parents will have been married 29 years next month. 🙂 happy anniversary! xx

    Reply

  40. Incredible. What a wonderful place to get married. You don’t do things by half do you Elizabeth. Love the pic of you emerging from San Miniato al Monte, you both look incredible and as for your shoes, how amazing to have such a unique slipper made just for you. Gorgeous.

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  42. My husband loved the detail that your husband rode dirt bikes with the Gucci sons. My husband is an Italian that loves his Italian motorcycles as well.

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  43. I love your shoe story as well as your fairytale wedding, as you know! How wonderful that you have that lovely memory…and I love that you are slowly putting together the history for your children. They will definitely appreciate it and their children to come…Hoping you are having a wonderful summer! I am back to blogging, really going to make an effort for the rest of summer as one of my classes ends next month and I’ll have more time 🙂

    xoxo Mary Jo

    Reply

  44. Hello gorgeous one! Thanks for stopping by the blog while you are in that magical place! I have a question about one of your photos here…I’ll be back in email! Anita

    Reply

  45. Such a wonderful story Contessa! Your very own Cinderella story. The shoes are magnificent and what a keepsake to have to pass on to your sons and their families. Love the wedding photos too – you are absolutely beautiful! Hope you are well. Things are finally slowing down a bit for me – its just been a very busy start to the summer. XO cherie

    Reply

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