To bustle or not to bustle

Even walking, going to the bathroom, the train might get in the way.

You may not be having dancing, but do you really want to hold it up all night? I'm sure that will be heavy after awhile. And annoying to not have both hands free.

I hate bustles so I cut most of my train off. No one stepped on my dress.

Double post

Are you having an outside ceremony/reception? If so, definitely get a bustle. Otherwise it's just a matter of whether you want to hold it all the time when you walk around.

Even without dancing, the train is going to get in the way. Someone might step on it too. Do you really want to hold it up the whole day/night?

I would get the bustle put in, just so you have the option. You can have the buttons/ribbons put in, and have them show you how to do it. Then at least if you decide after the ceremony you want to pull it up, you'll have the option. Even without dancing, think about how dirty it will get dragging behind you all night.

I am not bustling mine as of right now. There is a little loop under my dress so I can put it around my wrist. I am not sure if that will be super annoying or not though so I am debating.

I've got a shorter train than you, and have been questioning if I really need a bustle. Looking forward to seeing what people say..

My uncle's new bride didn't want to bustle her beautiful train either. It was fine and it made her happy no I have no problem with that, but it was noticeably dirty at the reception. Just one other thing to think about. Good luck deciding!

Maybe look into an under bustle? I wouldn't consider that a short train, more like medium. Even without dancing it would be a hastle to walk around in (but love your dress BTW

Yes-- if your dress has ANY train, it needs a bustle. A bustle doesn't have to look like the traditional poof at the back of the gown-- it could mean tucking the train underneath the bottom of the dress so that it just looks like it doesn't have train, or it can be a side sling like that pictured below, which adds a touch of elegance. But you CAN NOT walk around with that thing hanging out all night. Even with no dancing, how are you supposed to sit?? With your feet on the inside of your train? No, you won't have time to worry about making sure its safe-- just bustle it.

Kathryn-- those loops attached for the train are designed for hanging the dress, not for wearing around your wrist all night--i.e., they are not strong enough to withstand that kind of use. There is a good chance they will break before your reception is over.

Is it just because you're worried about the possible big Victorian butt? Because not all bustles will cause that. If you get a simple one you barely even notice it.

Actually, @Barbara, now that you mention it, that's what my friend did at her wedding last year. She wore the loop around her wrist and it broke before the night was even half over. We all shook our heads at the "poor quality"...now I realize she was probably just using the hanger loop. hah! Luckily she had a bustle put in, so she could still put up the train.

I danced all night without a bustle. Used the little wrist loop all night and it was perfectly fine.

Eh - I have to admit I'm not planning on having a bustle put into mine. Partly because I simply don't have the time (I won't have my dress until less than two weeks before the wedding and I'm already freaking out about having enough time to get any tiny alterations done let alone a bustle) and because I don't actually like the way they look. My sister had a bigger heavier train than mine and she just held it up. Though I do like that side version in the picture...that I might consider.

My bustle will be very simple, essentially a button on the back of the dress and a loop at the bottom of the train to hook it to. Are you planning on walking around much? It would be a pity to have that beautiful train dragged across the dirty ground during your reception.

My ceremony is on a beach and the reception is inside. I'm not worried about how it looks. I just don't want to pay for something that I'm sure I won't use. I've looked into different types and I'm sure I would go with the French bustle and I was quoted $150 to add that to my dress. That's just insane to me.

Barbara- I'm so glad you shared this picture! My dress is a similar style and this is how I had her bustle my dress. I was looking up bustles online and found a picture like this and showed my seamstress who made it happen. I love it because it didn't change the shape of my dress.

You can always get a bustle and not use it, but you don't want to end up needing it and not have it. I recommend doing some research and talking to your seamstress you might change your mind when you see all of the options for yourself. Hope this helps