Junior Rasmussen
If you're planning your wedding, you've probably heard the term 'bustle' being thrown around a lot. But what is a bustle, and should you bustle your wedding dress? Well, a bustle is a way of securing the train, or any extra fabric, of your wedding dress to prevent it from dragging on the floor. This is especially important if you're planning on dancing or moving around a lot during your reception. There are several different types of bustles, including the American bustle, French bustle, and train flip bustle, each with its own unique look and style. The process of bustling a wedding dress can be complicated and usually requires the help of a designated person, such as a bridesmaid or family member. So, if you're wondering whether or not to bustle your wedding dress, the answer is that it depends on your personal preference and the style of your dress. However, if you want to move around freely and avoid any potential damage to your dress, bustling is definitely the way to go.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To secure the extra fabric from the bottom of the gown to prevent it from dragging on the ground and allow the bride to move freely |
| Types | American/Over Bustle, French/Under Bustle, Ballroom Bustle, Bow Bustle |
| Execution | Can be executed by a bridesmaid, maid of honour, parent, close friend, or family member |
| Cost | Between $75 and $250 |
| Time | Shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Why bustle your wedding dress?
A wedding dress bustle is a series of loops, buttons, hooks, ties or snaps that secure the extra fabric of your gown's train to keep it from dragging on the ground. This allows you to move around with ease and prevents the bottom of your dress from getting damaged or dirty.
Bustling a wedding dress is particularly important if your gown has a long train, which can be a hindrance during activities such as dinner and dancing. It is also a good idea if you want to show off your wedding shoes. There are many different types of bustles to choose from, including the American or "over" bustle, the French or "under" bustle, the train flip bustle, and the bow bustle. The type of bustle you choose will depend on factors such as your height, the silhouette and fabric of your gown, and your personal style and preferences.
Your seamstress will be your best resource for determining the right type of bustle for your dress and can help you find the right style to suit your gown. They will sew the necessary loops, buttons, hooks, ties or snaps onto the back of your dress during the alterations process. It is a good idea to have your designated "bustler"—usually a bridesmaid, family member or close friend—attend your final alterations appointment so that they can get hands-on practice before the big day.
Bustling a wedding dress shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes, but it can be a complicated process, so it's important for your helper to be familiar with the technique. This will ensure a seamless transition once it's time to bustle your train before the reception.
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When to bustle your wedding dress
A wedding dress bustle is a series of loops, buttons, hooks, ties, or snaps that secure the extra fabric of your gown's train to prevent it from dragging on the ground, giving you the freedom to move around with ease. The bustle is typically added during the alterations process, and the type of bustle you choose depends on your height, gown silhouette, fabric, and personal style and preferences.
So, when should you bustle your wedding dress? Brides typically bustle their dresses after the ceremony and before the reception, as this is when you'll want to be able to move around and dance freely. However, some brides may opt to leave their train flowing for the first dance.
It's important to choose a designated person to help you with bustling your dress, such as a bridesmaid or your mother, and to ensure they practice beforehand. They should attend your final alterations appointment to get hands-on practice with the seamstress or watch a video of the process so that they are familiar with it on the big day.
The process of bustling a wedding dress shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes if your helper is familiar with the process. When bustling the dress, start by finding the centre loops, hooks, or buttons and work outward from there to ensure a correct and easy match.
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Who should bustle your wedding dress?
So, you've decided to bustle your wedding dress—great! Now, who should you choose to be your designated "bustler"? Well, it's important to select someone who is close to you and who you trust. This could be your maid of honour, a bridesmaid, your mum, a family member, or a close friend. It's a good idea to choose someone who can attend your final wedding dress fitting so they can learn how to bustle the dress directly from the seamstress. That way, they can see exactly how it's done and ask any questions they might have.
If your chosen person can't make it to the fitting, don't panic! You can always ask someone else to take a video of the process, so your designated bustler can watch it later and be fully prepared for the big day. It's also a good idea to take notes or have a quick reference guide, so they can easily remember the steps on the day.
It's worth noting that bustling a wedding dress shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes, as long as the designated bustler is familiar with the process. So, it's definitely worth having someone who can commit to practising beforehand and being there to help you on your wedding day.
Remember, your seamstress will be a valuable source of information and guidance throughout this process. They can recommend the best type of bustle for your dress and guide you on who might be the best person to assign as the designated bustler. So, be sure to communicate your plans with them and ask for their expert advice!
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How to bustle your wedding dress
A wedding dress bustle is a series of loops, hooks, ties, buttons, or ribbons that secure the train or any extra fabric of your gown, keeping it off the ground and making it easier to move around in. There are many different types of bustles, and nearly all full-length gowns have hooks, ties, or buttons sewn into the wedding dress train to create a uniform hemline after the ceremony.
To bustle your wedding dress, first, find the center loops, hooks, or buttons and work outward from there. This ensures that you will be on the right path from the start and won't match the wrong loop with the wrong hook or button. Following the dress's seams will make locating the loops, hooks, and buttons easier, but it will require a careful eye as the seamstress or designer will do her best to make these parts unnoticeable or even hide them.
Depending on the kind of bustle your seamstress adds to your dress, you will bustle it differently. It is important to work with your seamstress to find the right style to suit your gown. Your seamstress will be your best help in learning the right way to bustle your dress.
It is recommended to delegate the task of bustling your dress to a trusted individual, usually a bridesmaid or family member. The "designated bustler" should attend your final alterations appointment with you to get hands-on practice before the big day. Additionally, it is a good idea to take notes or a quick video of the process so that you can refer back to it on your wedding day.
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Types of wedding dress bustles
A wedding dress bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress to lift and secure the train off the ground. This allows the bride to move around with ease. There are several types of wedding dress bustles, including:
- Traditional or Over Bustle: This classic style is achieved by securing the outside of the train near the waistline, creating a cascading effect. It is versatile and works with various gown silhouettes, including A-line, ball gown, and mermaid styles.
- French or Under Bustle: The French bustle, also known as the under bustle, is perfect for gowns with embellishments near the waist. It creates a simple and elegant look, especially for lace and satin gowns.
- Royal Bustle: The royal bustle is an elaborate, vintage-inspired style that adds instant visual interest to the gown. It involves gathering the train and affixing it to the dress at several points, creating dramatic folds. This style pairs well with A-line and ball gown silhouettes.
- Ballroom Bustle: The ballroom bustle creates the illusion of wearing two separate dresses. It makes the train visually disappear, resulting in a playful and flirty look with a shorter hemline. This option may make the dress look fuller, similar to a ball gown.
The type of bustle chosen depends on the silhouette of the gown, the amount of fabric, and the desired look. It is important to consult with a skilled seamstress who can recommend and create the best bustle for the dress. Additionally, enlisting the help of a trusted individual, such as a bridesmaid or family member, is crucial for securing the bustle on the wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
Bustling is when you secure the extra fabric from the bottom of your gown to prevent it from dragging on the ground. This is done by hooking the ends of your dress onto the inside or outside of your skirt so that it is folded and out of the way. This allows you to move around more freely.
Bustling your wedding dress can help you avoid tears, stains, and other damage to the bottom of your dress. It also allows you to move around more freely, which is particularly helpful if you have a long train.
The best time to bustle your wedding dress is after the ceremony and before the reception. It usually takes around 3-5 minutes to bustle a dress, so it's best to do it in a private room to avoid distractions.
