To bustle, or not to bustle.

It's so beautiful!!!! if you feel comfortable with how it trailes behind you and dont think it will be in the way then it's your day and you should look how you want!

I don’t know how I could have danced or done my reception with a train, I couldn’t even walk right with it for pictures, it was constantly bunching up. Plus hard to make sure no one accidentally stepped on it. If you want to do it, for sure do it, but I would practice around your house for a while to make sure.

View Quoted Comment

Thank you!!! I think so too. Like when else will I just be floating around with a train, ya know?

View Quoted Comment

For sure, I can totally understand that. Did you have a ball gown as well? I do understand how poofy they feel lol.

View Quoted Comment Hahah right I dont think it's as big a pain as most people make it out to be especially if your conscience of it and can work with it you look stunning congrats !!!!

View Quoted Comment

Thank you so much!!!

I did not wear a ball gown, but my dress did have a small train. My ceremony was about 30 minutes and we took photos before and after with my train un-bustled. By time the reception started, I was so ready to bustle the train! It really does get aggravating after a couple of hours. If done correctly, they look pretty and cohesive with the dress. I would recommend adding one, just in case.

View Quoted Comment

I was just going to ask, do you think I could get a bustle done but not bustle it if I didn't want to? Or would it look weird?

View Quoted Comment

You can absolutely do that! It won’t look weird. When the dress is not bustled, no one will be able to tell the dress has a bustle.

Bustles are super helpful for moving around with a long dress, but if you aren't planning on dancing more than one dance, I think you can get away with not bustling your ball gown.

I'd definitely consider a bustle if your wedding or any part of it (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception) will be in close quarters just because the ball gown takes up so much space, or if you plan on dancing and moving around a lot. If neither of those apply to you, then feel free not to bustle!

My dress has a long train that is heavier lace and it would be really difficult to move around in it without it being bustled, but your ball gown is mostly tulle and looks to be pretty lightweight so that will probably be less of an issue for you. If you feel super comfortable moving around in it, you can probably get away with not bustling it at all for a shorter wedding.

It's totally possible to have a bustle added and then never use it. There are a number of different bustle styles, some of which are completely invisible when not in use. My lace dress bustles on the outside (American bustle) and has 9 attachment points per layer, but you really can't notice it when it's not done and it does not take away from the aesthetic of the dress at all. The French style bustle goes underneath the dress so the attachment points are completely invisible from the outside, and the wrist bustle is also very minimal as well.

I would suggest getting a bustle done that way you have the choice. While it may not be a problem for YOU to walk around in, it would suck if some other guest wasnt paying attention to your train and accidentally stepped on it or ripped it somehow!

View Quoted Comment

Yes ma'am, you are totally right. It's tulle, so very lightweight I would say.

I would probably be more interested in a bustle if it helped me walk around at all, but all of the weight is in the front, when you need to "kick walk" it, ya know? I know that's not really how it is, but that's how it feels anyways.

I think American is what most people have recommended, but my alterations shop and I haven't had that discussion yet so I don't know for sure. If you don't mind sharing, how much did it cost to add a bustle to your alterations? I also feel like if I don't want it/won't use it, I probably shouldn't spend the money because the alterations already cost a little bit.

I have worn a ball gown - it was my first wedding. And people totally stepped on my dress. It caught on chairs, and doors. My then husband stepped on it too. Bustles, to me, are just a practical means of addressing practical concerns. There are also a ton of styles that can make them more appealing. But, I would have one. As someone above mentioned you can practice at home - walk around your kitchen tables with chairs, try to walk through your bedroom door (and close the door), face front and turn like you are talking to someone (and see if the train twists around you when you start to walk in a different direction)... Give it a test run before you write it off completely. I love trains, but navigating my reception was a real challenge.

I think you would have a hard time walking around with the train, not to mention people will be stepping on it. Your skirt is similar to my daughters and hers just looked like a full skirt when bustled. This is a photo of it bustled.

View Quoted Comment

That makes a lot of sense. Does your ball gown have a bit of a train or is it pretty much even fluff all around? If there isn't extra fabric/length/weight in the back then I think a bustle would be pretty pointless.

I bought my dress off StillWhite, so it had a bustle added when I got it (yay, one less thing to spend money on). The cost varies a bit depending on the type of bustle and how much work is needed. Heavier dresses need a stronger bustle so more buttons, more labor, etc. I've definitely heard of brides and had friends who have their bustles break, so if you get a bustle I think it's worth paying a bit extra for something sturdy, otherwise what's the point? You don't want the bustle to break or dress to rip under its own weight because the bustle wasn't robust enough for the design.

When I tried on dresses at the shop they said alterations usually ranged from $150-$500 or more, depending on the work needed. The most common alterations are hemming, some taking in, cups added, and bustles added, so I would think that it could be done for $100 or less if it was a simple bustle. Your alterations shop should be able to give you a quote. If it's not too much added on to the cost of the other alterations and it can be done discretely, I would definitely do it so you have the option to bustle it if needed. Having a bustle can also prevent your dress from getting ruined by being stepped on or dragged through dirt, so that's something to consider as well.

What if u just get one of those loops where u can wear it on your wrist up and out of the way?

I absolutely refuse to have a bustle too so I bought a second reception dress that is floor length, but for your case I would recommend altering loops so you can Keep the train off the ground for your first dance or whenever the train is bothersome

View Quoted Comment

Do you think I could with this dress type? I think those are so pretty!!!

View Quoted Comment

Honestly, that's such a good idea. I was thinking about buying a second dress, more mermaid style for the after party. (We'll be going out on the town after the reception, since it's so short.) It might be worth it.

I love your dress! like you said if its a short ceremony and reception and you dont plan to bust a move other than your first dance then i would decide based on your venue set up - like mentioned above room set up - you will walk around and thank your guests so if its tight I could consider bustling - it could be a last minute move and you could take it back down if you wanted to later in the night.