Deborah Chan
Wedding dress bustles are an important part of a wedding, helping to secure the train of a dress so that the bride can move around freely and dance without tripping over her dress. The length of time it takes to bustle a wedding dress depends on the complexity of the dress and the chosen bustle style. Some dresses can be bustled in just a few minutes, while others can take up to 15-20 minutes. It is recommended that the person helping the bride with the bustling attends the final dress fitting to learn the process directly from the seamstress. There are several different types of bustles to choose from, including the American or over bustle, the French bustle, the royal bustle, and the ballroom bustle, each creating a unique effect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of bustling a wedding dress | To transition from the ceremony look to a practical dance-ready outfit for the reception |
| Who can help with bustling? | Maid of honour, mom, bridesmaid, mother-in-law |
| When to bustle? | After the ceremony and before the reception |
| Where to bustle? | In a private room at the reception venue |
| Time taken | 3-5 minutes or 15-20 minutes, depending on the complexity and style of the dress |
| Cost | $75 to $250 on average |
| Types of bustles | American/over, French, Royal, Ballroom |
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What You'll Learn
The time taken to bustle a wedding dress
The bustle is a way to lift and secure the train of a wedding dress so that the bride can move around freely and not worry about guests stepping on it during the reception. It is a superhero move for any gown, allowing the bride to transition from the ceremony look to a practical, dance-ready outfit.
There are several types of bustles to choose from, including the American or "over" bustle, the French bustle, the royal bustle, and the ballroom bustle. The American bustle, for instance, creates cascading layers that fall over the skirt of the dress at the back, and is ideal for cathedral-length trains or ball gowns with layers of tulle and taffeta. The French bustle, on the other hand, is better suited for A-line, sheath, and mermaid or trumpet gowns, as the train is tied up underneath the skirt in a billowy fashion.
The complexity of the dress and the chosen bustle style will determine the time it takes to bustle the dress. It is recommended that the person in charge of bustling the dress at the reception, usually the maid of honour or a bridesmaid, be present at the final fitting to learn how to do it directly from the seamstress. This way, they can ensure that the bustling is done correctly and efficiently on the wedding day, saving time and preventing any last-minute hassles.
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The role of a maid of honour
The length of time needed to bustle a wedding dress depends on the complexity of the dress and the chosen bustle style. Some dresses can be bustled in a minute or two, while others can take up to 15-20 minutes. A bustle is a way to lift and secure the train of the dress, allowing the bride to move around freely and avoid tripping during the reception. There are several types of bustles, including the American or "over" bustle, the French bustle, the royal bustle, and the ballroom bustle, each with its unique style and complexity.
Now, onto the role of the maid of honour. The maid of honour, or the head bridesmaid, is the bride's best friend and right-hand person. She is responsible for leading the bridal party and ensuring all important tasks are completed. The maid of honour's responsibilities include providing support and opinions to the bride, planning the bachelorette party, and resolving any conflicts within the bridal party. She may also be invited to wedding dress shopping appointments and the final dress fitting, especially if she is tasked with helping to bustle the dress on the big day. When it comes to bustling the dress, the maid of honour can learn the process directly from the seamstress or by watching a video tutorial if she cannot attend the fitting.
In addition to pre-wedding responsibilities, the maid of honour plays a crucial role during the wedding day. She is often seen as the main point of contact between the couple and the wedding guests, answering any questions they may have. The maid of honour may also be involved in taking family photos during the reception, deciding whether to keep the wedding dress train intact or bustling it for a more practical look.
The maid of honour's role extends beyond the wedding day, as she provides ongoing support to the bride and communicates with the bridesmaids to ensure everyone is on the same page. She is the "'director'" of the bridal party, leading the efforts in planning the bridal shower and making final decisions. Additionally, if the wedding is a destination wedding, the maid of honour may be responsible for researching local dialects, currencies, and travel options to assist the bride and guests if needed.
Overall, the maid of honour is an essential part of the bridal party, offering leadership, support, and assistance to the bride throughout the wedding planning process and beyond. She is the bride's trusted confidant and go-to person for any wedding-related matters.
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The different types of bustles
The length of time it takes to bustle a wedding dress depends on the complexity of the dress and the chosen bustle style. Some dresses can be bustled in a minute or two, while others may take up to 15-20 minutes. It is helpful to familiarise yourself with the bustling process during dress fittings, with the guidance of your bridal consultant.
Now, here is an overview of the different types of bustles:
American Bustle
Also known as the "over" bustle, this style creates cascading layers that fall over the skirt of the dress at the back. It is particularly well-suited to wedding gowns with cathedral-length trains or ball gowns with layers of tulle and taffeta. It is also a good choice for dresses with a statement bow at the back, as this type of bustle can showcase this feature.
French Bustle
The French bustle, also called the "under" bustle, is created by tying the train underneath the skirt in a billowy fashion. This style is recommended for A-line, sheath, and mermaid or trumpet gowns, especially those with embellishments near the waist. It is also a good choice for dresses with a natural waistline and minimal trains.
Royal Bustle
The royal bustle is similar to the American bustle, with loops and buttons on the outside of the skirt. However, the train is affixed to the skirt at multiple points, creating a more dramatic cascading effect. This style is suitable for long or very full trains, such as royal and cathedral trains.
Ballroom Bustle
The ballroom bustle gives the illusion of no bustle, with the train pinned into itself to create a floor-length gown with a fuller bottom.
Traditional Bustle
This classic style is one of the most popular among brides. The outside of the train is secured near the waistline, creating a cascading effect. It works with a variety of silhouettes, including A-line, ball gown, and mermaid, and is especially striking with a cathedral train.
Side Sling Bustle
Also known as a wrist loop, this asymmetrical bustle is easy to implement and provides a dramatic visual effect at a low cost. The train is attached to the wrist, allowing the bride to physically lift it herself. This option works best with simple, lightweight dresses with modest trains, as heavy fabric or full skirts can be burdensome.
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The history of the bustle
Over time, the bustle evolved into a refined addition to bridal ensembles, providing the best of both worlds: the ability to have a full flowing train for the ceremony and then lifting it out of the way for the reception. The process of bustling a wedding dress involves altering the gown to function as if it had no train, creating a shorter hemline. This is achieved by fastening the train to the rest of the dress using hooks, buttons, or ribbons, allowing the bride to walk and dance freely.
There are several types of bustles to choose from, including the American or "over" bustle, which creates cascading layers over the skirt, and the French bustle, where the train is tied underneath the skirt for a billowy effect. The royal bustle, a variation of the American bustle, features loops and buttons on the outside of the skirt, with the train affixed at multiple points for added drama. The ballroom bustle is similar to the French bustle, creating the illusion that the gown was floor-length all along.
The complexity and chosen style of the bustle will determine the time it takes to bustle a wedding dress, ranging from a minute or two to 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to have a designated person, such as a bridesmaid or family member, to help with bustling the dress, as it can be challenging to do it alone.
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What to do if the bustle breaks
The length of time needed to bustle a wedding dress depends on the complexity of the dress and the chosen bustle style. Some dresses will bustle in just a minute or two, while others can take 15-20 minutes. However, no matter how carefully a seamstress stitches your bustle, there is always a possibility that it could break during your reception. Wedding dresses can be very heavy, and a few delicate bustle points may not hold the whole operation in place while you dance, walk, and mingle. Therefore, it is important to prepare for this worst-case scenario.
Firstly, it is recommended to have safety pins, a sewing needle, and a clear fishing line on hand in the bridal suite. If your wedding dress is bustled with ribbons and one of them comes loose, a bridesmaid should be prepared to sew the ribbon back into the dress with a clear fishing line. If the problem is more complicated, you can pin the dress together at the broken bustle point with an oversized safety pin.
Secondly, it is a good idea to have a simple dress on the side to change into as a backup plan. It doesn't have to be a wedding dress; a simple white dress that you can change into during the reception will do if you experience a wardrobe malfunction or feel uncomfortable in your wedding dress.
Lastly, it is highly recommended to record a video of your seamstress or wedding dress stylist doing your bustle. You can then share this video with your family members, bridesmaids, wedding planner, or whoever will be with you on your wedding day to help with your dress's bustle. This will ensure that they know what to do if the bustle breaks and can help you fix it quickly and efficiently.
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Frequently asked questions
Bustling a wedding dress can take anywhere from a few minutes to 15-20 minutes, depending on the complexity of the dress and the chosen bustle style. Some dresses with simple bustles can be bustled in just a minute or two, while others with more intricate designs may take longer.
The best time to bustle your wedding dress is after the ceremony and formal portrait-style photos, just before you enter the reception venue and hit the dance floor. This ensures that your train is secured and lifted, allowing you to move and dance freely.
While you may need assistance with bustling your dress, it is recommended to assign a trusted individual such as the maid of honor, a bridesmaid, or a family member to this task. It is advisable to have them accompany you to your final dress fitting so they can learn the bustling process directly from the seamstress.
Here are some tips to help with bustling your wedding dress:
- Familiarize yourself with the different bustle styles before choosing one that complements your gown.
- Practice bustling your dress during your final fitting to ensure a smooth process on your wedding day.
- Prepare for any potential issues by having safety pins, a sewing needle, and clear fishing line on hand.
- Don't rush the bustling process. Pay attention to detail to ensure a neat and even result.
