This magical dress found me through a stroke of luck and I hope to pass that magic on to you!

The moment I tried on a Tara LaTour, I knew she was my designer, but no boutique in my city carried her gowns. I had tried one on only through a trunk show I attended 5 hours away. After only a few visits to other boutiques, I knew I'd never find anything comparable, so I called her atelier in Minneapolis and was on the phone with Tara herself. This was not a gown that had been shown in the trunk show but after describing to her the others I'd liked, she assured me this was my gown. I listened to her described her process and what it was like to work with such contrasting fabrics.

She definitely designs for the bride that appreciates shape, form, design and texture. You will look like a sculpture in this gown.

To this day, everyone comments on my dress. A friend recently told me she'd attended over 20 weddings and been in 11 and had never seen a prettier gown.

Alterations

I had the bodice ever so slightly altered so I wouldn't need a bra. This was done by a professional couture alterations specialist and there is no indication that changes have been made.

Additionally, some original pics of the gown on Tara's website or social media will show tiny straps on the gown. Neither myself nor the alterations specialist liked the look of these IRL so we removed them and unfortunately, I am not sure where they ended up.

While I did not wear the burnt orange belt pictured with the original I do have it and am happy to send it.

I had this gown professionally restored ($300) at Finto Bridal Cleaners in Dallas. MY wedding was outdoors and on the underside of the train the fabric shows ever so slight dirt from the grass. You cannot see this unless you flip the skirt over and look for it.