Deborah Chan
Bustling a wedding dress is a process that involves altering a bridal gown to function as if it had no train. This is achieved by fastening the train to the rest of the dress, allowing the bride to walk and dance freely without tripping over her dress. The bustling of the dress train is typically done by the maid of honour, a bridesmaid, or a family member, and it can add a dramatic effect to the gown's silhouette. The cost of adding a bustle can vary depending on the number of attachment points and the type of bustle chosen, with prices ranging from $50 to $400 on average.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To secure the fabric of the gown's train and allow the bride to move around with ease |
| Who does it? | Maid of honour, bridal party, wedding coordinator, or a designated bridesmaid or family member |
| Types | American/over, French, Ballroom |
| Cost | $75 to $250 on average, depending on the number of attachment points and layers |
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What You'll Learn
It helps secure the train, so it doesn't drag on the floor
A wedding dress bustle is a process of altering a bridal gown to function as if it had no train. This is done by fastening the train to the rest of the dress so that a bride can walk freely without tripping over her ensemble throughout the night. This is especially important if you want to dance and move around comfortably during your reception.
The bustling process involves hooking the ends of your dress onto the inside or outside of your skirt so that it is folded and out of the way. The bustle clips are added during the alterations process, and the type of bustle is up to you. Hooks, ties, or buttons are sewn onto the back of the dress to help achieve the desired bustle. There are many types of bustles, and nearly all full-length gowns have these fastenings sewn into the wedding dress train to create a uniform hemline after the ceremony.
The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is a popular way to pick up the train. This involves lifting the outside of the train and securing it over the back of the gown to the waistline. This bustle adds drama to the back by creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt. Brides can decide if they want one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for extra flair.
The French bustle, also known as a Victorian or under-bustle, is the reverse of the American bustle. Hooks pick up the train of the gown as they tuck it under the silhouette itself. This bustle gives the back of the gown more fullness, as the extra material is placed inside the skirt. This bustle is great for A-line, sheath, mermaid, and trumpet gowns.
The ballroom bustle is another option that gives the illusion that the gown was a floor-length dress all along. Multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately. This bustle is typically the most expensive given that more bustle points need to be sewn in.
The royal bustle can be simple or elaborate, depending on the desired look. This style is perfect for gowns with a statement bow or sash in the back. The fabric is folded above the gown and secured with ties hidden under the bow, allowing the fabric to pick up and flow symmetrically from the elegant visual point of the bow.
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It allows the bride to move and dance freely
Wedding dresses with trains can be a hassle to move around in, especially on the dance floor. This is where a wedding dress bustle comes in. It allows the bride to move and dance freely by securing the fabric of the gown's train off the ground and into the back of the dress. This prevents the bride from tripping over her dress or getting it caught or stepped on.
There are several types of bustles to choose from, and the right one for you will depend on the silhouette of the dress, the fabric, the length of the train, and personal style choices. A popular option is the American bustle, also known as an over-bustle. This style has several hooks scattered throughout the waistline of the dress that enables the train to be lifted and hooked over the top of the gown. This can create a dramatic look with one, three, or even five bustle pick-up points. The American bustle is simple for the seamstress to create and easy to attach on the wedding day. It adds drama to the back of the dress by creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt.
Another option is the French bustle, which involves tucking the train underneath the skirt to create a billowing effect. This option gives the back of the gown more fullness and is great for A-line, sheath, mermaid, and trumpet gowns. It is hooked down the back of the dress at several different points, creating a series of dramatic folds. This option is best for large ball gowns or dresses with enough excess fabric to accommodate the bustling points.
The cost of adding a bustle to your wedding dress will depend on how many attachment points it has and how many dress layers need to be bustled. On average, it can range from $75 to $250, but it can be cheaper or more expensive depending on your location and the specifics of your dress. It is important to note that even with a bustle, there is still a possibility that it can break during the reception, especially with heavier wedding dresses. Therefore, it is recommended to have safety pins, a sewing needle, and a clear fishing line on hand in case any last-minute adjustments are needed.
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It can add drama and flair to the gown's silhouette
The process of bustling a wedding dress involves altering a bridal gown to function as if it had no train. This is achieved by fastening the train to the rest of the dress, allowing the bride to walk and dance freely without tripping over her dress. Wedding dresses with trains often require bustling, with the exception of short or tea-length dresses.
The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is a popular style that adds drama and flair to the gown's silhouette. This style involves lifting the outside of the train and securing it over the back of the gown at the waistline. It creates a cascading effect as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt, adding fullness to the gown. Brides can choose to have a single statement pickup or multiple pickup points for an ultra-dramatic look. The number of pickup points can range from one to eleven, depending on the desired effect and the style of the gown.
The French bustle, on the other hand, creates a billowing effect by tucking the train underneath the skirt. This style adds drama and flair to the gown's silhouette by creating a series of dramatic folds down the back of the dress. It is particularly well-suited for A-line, sheath, mermaid, and trumpet gowns, as well as large ball gowns with excess fabric.
The choice of bustle style depends on the silhouette of the dress, the fabric, the length of the train, and personal style preferences. It is important to consult with a skilled seamstress who can recommend the best type of bustle for the gown and help determine the placement of hooks, ties, or buttons to achieve the desired look.
While bustling a wedding dress can enhance the gown's silhouette and provide ease of movement, it is an additional expense that should be considered when planning a wedding. The cost of adding a bustle can range from $50 to $400, depending on the number of attachment points and dress layers involved. Additionally, there is always a possibility of the bustle breaking during the reception due to the weight of the dress. Therefore, it is essential to have safety pins, a sewing needle, and clear fishing line on hand for quick repairs.
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$14.59
It can be done by a seamstress or a designated person like a bridesmaid
The bustling of a wedding dress is a process that involves altering the bridal gown to function as if it had no train. This is usually done by a seamstress or a designated person like a bridesmaid. A seamstress will sew hooks, ties, or buttons onto the back of the dress to help achieve the desired bustle. The seamstress will also advise on the best type of bustle for the silhouette of the gown, the amount of fabric used, and how the bride plans to wear the dress. The seamstress will demonstrate to the bride how the gown bustles best, depending on the silhouette of the dress, the fabric, the length of the train, and personal style choices.
The task of bustling the dress can also be delegated to a trusted individual, usually a bridesmaid or a family member. The designated person should attend the final alterations appointment to get hands-on practice before the wedding. They should also be prepared with safety pins, a sewing needle, and a clear fishing line in case the bustle breaks during the reception. The designated person can also sew ribbons back into the dress with a clear fishing line if they come loose.
The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is a popular choice for brides. This style has several hooks scattered throughout the waistline of the dress, enabling the train to be lifted and hooked over the top of the gown. This bustle adds drama to the back of the gown by creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds over the rest of the skirt. Brides can also choose to have one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for extra flair.
Overall, the process of bustling a wedding dress is important to ensure that the bride can move around freely during the reception and that the train does not get in the way or get stepped on.
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It can be an American, French, or Ballroom bustle, among others
A wedding dress bustle is a way of securing the train or any extra fabric of a wedding gown to give the wearer freedom of movement. There are several types of bustles, and nearly all full-length gowns have hooks, ties, or buttons sewn into the train to create a uniform hemline after the ceremony. The type of bustle chosen depends on the silhouette of the gown, the amount of fabric, and how the bride plans to wear her dress.
The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is a popular way to pick up the train. This look is achieved by lifting the outside of the train and securing it over the back of the gown to the waistline. Brides can choose to have one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for extra flair. This bustle adds drama to the back by creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt. It is a simple bustle for the seamstress to create and easy to attach on the wedding day.
The ballroom bustle is one of the most flattering bustle types as it completely hides the train without changing the look of the dress. To create this seamless illusion, several points are added under the dress for the train to attach to, resulting in the look of an untouched, floor-length gown.
The French bustle, also known as the under-bustle, is the opposite of the American style. It has the train fold under itself instead of over, creating an understated, two-layer hem that adds design to the back. This bustle is a stunning option that is not overly complicated to execute.
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Frequently asked questions
Bustling a wedding dress is necessary to secure the fabric of the gown's train, giving the bride freedom of movement. This prevents the bride from tripping over her dress and allows her to move around and dance freely.
A wedding dress bustle is when the train of the dress is buttoned up to floor length. This can be done by fastening the train to the rest of the dress using hooks, ties, buttons, ribbons, or a combination of these.
There are many types of wedding dress bustles, including the American bustle (or over-bustle), the French bustle, and the ballroom bustle. The American bustle is created by lifting and securing the train over the back of the gown to the waistline, resulting in a cascading effect. The French bustle involves tucking the train underneath the skirt to create a billowing effect, adding fullness to the back of the gown. The ballroom bustle gives the illusion that the dress was always floor-length by delicately folding the fabric into itself.
The cost of adding a bustle to a wedding dress typically ranges from $75 to $250, but it can be more or less depending on the number of attachment points and the number of dress layers that need to be bustled.
