The Dress

Looking for something elegant, simple, and a little bit unique? This dress has a striking silhouette and bold structure, and yet it feels like wearing a cloud. Light and airy, it has delightful movement, perfect for dancing and dips. The train is just long enough to be dramatic for photos and entrances, and it can be easily bustled up to allow you to enjoy the rest of the day without worrying about tripping. No bra needed! I had an outdoor fall wedding near Washington, DC; the day was warm and the evening was cold, and I felt perfectly comfortable the entire day. The dress was professionally dry cleaned just a couple weeks after the wedding. The flaws: the loops for two of the three bustle sections were pulled out while dancing (we had a GREAT time!), and tiny holes are visible in the top organza layer where they were originally attached if you know where to look and look closely.

Note: the measurements listed are of the dress itself. I didn't have my own measurements from the fall available, and pregnancy has made my current measurements pretty unhelpful.

For more info on the original dress: https://ariamobridal.com/product/l103/.

Alterations

The dress was hemmed to my height (5'5.5" wearing flats). On the innermost layer, the dress measures 40" from waist to floor. The shoulders were taken in; they can be taken back out for someone with broader shoulders or a bigger bust. Padding was added to the bust (I typically wear a 34A, and there was plenty of room for someone with a much larger cup size). The bust padding can also be easily removed or swapped. A bustle was added, which was essential for dancing. The bustle buttons are still in place, but two of the loops fell out in the action. I replaced the original sash that came with the dress with a satin ribbon bow. The tailor pre-sewed the bow and attached it to the waist with fail-proof snaps. I think it defines the waist without drawing attention away from the incredible bodice and train.