From the bride (me): This is a beautiful dress from Vera Wang's Luxe collection. I purchased it in August 2014 for my April 25, 2015 wedding. I did not hem this dress, nor did I add bra cups or do much to the size 2 dress except take it in and fit it to my body.
From my tailor, Cathy Marie: "I altered the zipper to make the gown fit you snuggly. It was altered about 2 inches in your waist tapering to about 1 inch in your hip area. The length wasn't altered. I added a bustle to the train for ease of dancing and walking around. Your photographs tell the whole story of how magical this gown was on your wedding day!"
From J. Scheer, where I had the dress dry cleaned and preserved: Repairs done by conservators and all damage was repaired. 1. Split seam along left at hem. 2. Some tears along inner layer (crinoline). 3. Tears along back of skirt in ruffle part/back in left.
4. Mainly loose pleated of the tool along bust. 5. Repaired detached bustle points (where bustle is tacked in). 6. Repaired small tears in tulle in skirt front on the hem.
I asked J. Scheer if it looks exactly like a brand new dress and they said they can’t say yes/no because if you have seen the brand new dress before, then you may notice it’s not brand new, but for people that see that dress for the first time it definitely looks new.
I chose not to wear the sash but any seamstress can add it in for you. I still have it and it's included with the dress.
I did have a french bustle added but you don't have to use it if you don't want to.
I kept the tape on the bottom edge of the dress to keep it clean, with the intention of selling it. ;)
I wore 4 inch Jimmy Choos (Gold Mary Jane), I'm 5'4" and 125 lbs.
More pics available here: