Timing of using a bustle

For reference, this is the dress so it might not be too inconvenient for the cocktail hour and walk from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. That walk takes 3 mins and is outdoors. I don't care if the bottom gets dirty since I will be cleaning it shortly after the wedding.

If your changing I wouldn't spend the extra money on it

I have not yet started dress shopping, but I have been seeing various fashion terms that I am not familiar with so I thought I'd just ask. What is a bustle, and what purpose does it serve?

Http://www.davidsbridal.com/Content_StyleandFashionGuide_styleguidebustles

@Bee, thank you!

A bustle on a wedding dress gathers the extra fabric in the back of the dress to keep it out of the way during the reception. It usually takes the entire train up so no one steps on it and you can dance/move freely without worrying about it.

@Bee - that dress is gorgeous! Love the bodice on it!

I will also be doing a bustle, just for the reception...I have a ballgown with a semi-long train.

@Kristen the bodice is what sold me and my bridal party on it. It's very flattering on my weakest body part, mid section.

@Karen it doesn't have a bustle.

I bustled it after pictures but I didn't attend the cocktail hour. I wouldn't both if you are changing dresses.

Id skip it if you're changing.

We bustled the dress after the ceremony. If you are changing anyway, I wouldn't bother.

My reception is mainly outside so as soon as pictures are done after the ceremony I'm going to bustle the dress. I don't want to risk ruining the lace from dragging on the ground too long.

I wouldn't bother with one if you're changing.

If you aren't wearing it for the reception, don't Bother with a bustle.

Ok, thanks so much everyone! That's what I thought but my bridal salon keeps pushing the bustle which is about $450 and more than my Indian/reception dress. It really helps to get your help!

@Karen, yup multiple layers and would need a specific style of bustle to work. The price jumps due to that, ofcourse. Just going to skip it and save that money.

I bustled after pictures during cocktail hour. I bustled for reception. If you have a different dress for reception, I would save your money, you don't need a bustle.

Ah, ok. Thanks!

There are different kinds of bustles. The first one I know of is the traditional, where it hooks on the outside of the gown. I'm doing a French bustle on mine, which hooks underneath. The tailor didn't want to ruin the nice body line of the back of the dress, so the French bustle works best for me. We'll be ballroom dancing at our reception, so a bustle was a must!