Can someone explain to me what a bustle is?

A bustle is how they tie up the train so it is out of the way

Oooh. So you can have the train for the ceremony but out of the way for the reception?

Yep. Makes it easier to move around, dance, ect. and keeps people from stepping on the back of your pretty dress!

Here are some examples with photos:

http://www.leanna.com/Bustle/Bustles.htm

When the lady from the dress shop told me the bustle was included in my price, all I could imagine was the big birdcage bump women back in the day would put in the back of their dress to make their butts huge. haha apparently it has nothing to do with that!

I spent 276 at davids bridal and thats for my hem and my bustle and i had a french bustle so don't sweat it iwas like that until she told me the price

Okay, I am now more glad than ever that my dress stops above the knee, but thanks for the educational link, Cathasach! And more power to everyone wearing dresses that need to be bustled--they are gorgeous. :-)

I wish I were in your position right now, Cabell, lol. I haven't seen a bustle that I like yet.

Glad you got the info you needed, but I just want to point out that as much as you find a bustle and love it, it may not work for your dress, depending on the length and detail on your train, a seamstress will now the best way to bustle the train so it's high enough off the ground, you don't loose nay details onthe dress, and what not, I don't mean to sound rude, but I just don't want anyone to be disapointed when they find out the bustle they love, doens't work with your dress.

There are LOTS of types of bustles! A good seamstress will be able to make one that you love. Here are some examples:

Any yes, DB will way way overcharge you. A good seamstess should not be over $50 or so.

I paid around 280 dollars to have a bustle, and to have the dress shortened a bit at Davids Bridal. The problem is if you buy your dress from Davids Bridal, and get alterations somewhere else, they will not clean it or press it the week of the wedding. If they do all of those alterations they are happy to clean and press it.

@ Miss- ANY seamstress will press and clean the dress for you. DB is known for overcharging in alterations, it's where they make their margins.

I made my own dress and had to try several different ways to bustle it before it looked right. Keep that in mind before you fall in love with one particular style.