MOST POPULAR WEDDING DRESS BUSTLES EXPLAINED
photography: laning photography
one of the most common wedding dress questions we hear is, “can this dress bustle?”. in this blog we’ll explain why you should bustle your wedding dress, the most popular wedding dress bustles, and more! let’s get to bustling, babes!
photography: grace cacho photography
WHY YOU SHOULD BUSTLE YOUR WEDDING DRESS
bridal bustles exist not only for ease of movement on your wedding day, but also ease of mind! we completely understand wearing your train down for wedding photos after the ceremony and even on your first dance, but once those moments end, it’s a good idea to bustle your bridal gown and enjoy the rest of your wedding day.
when brides wear their train down at their wedding reception, they run the risk of guests stepping on/ripping their train or stepping on the train themselves. the best way to avoid tripping on or damaging your wedding dress at your wedding reception is by bustling your wedding dress.
photography: jenna marie co.
CAN YOUR WEDDING DRESS BUSTLE?
yes, any wedding dress with a train can bustle! almost all wedding dresses have some sort of a train. the easiest way to tell if your wedding dress has a train is to see if the front hem is the same height as the back hem. if the back hem is longer, your wedding dress does have a train.
photography: inde photography
HOW DOES A BUSTLE WORK?
bustles are typically installed in alterations. while your bridal stylist isn’t a seamstress, they can likely tell you the best wedding dress bustle for your particular gown or if some bustles won’t be doable. a stylist can also hold up your train to help you envision what your bridal bustle may look like.
photography: laning photography
TYPES OF WEDDING DRESS BUSTLES
the main two types of wedding dress bustles are french bustles and english bustles. below we cover some common characteristics of each of these wedding dress bustle styles!
photography: adventure in white
english bustle
the english bustle is a popular choice for brides wanting their bustle to be more visible. this type of bustle is done by securing the train onto buttons or loops on the outside of the gown. an english bustle works particularly well if your wedding dress already has buttons on the train, but many brides have select buttons added for this particular bustle style.
best wedding dresses for an english bustle
english bustles usually work on a variety of wedding dress styles. fitted, a-line, and even ballgown wedding dresses can all look amazing with an english bustle or multiple english bustle pickups. english bustles typically drape similarly to how your skirt naturally falls, creating a fairly seamless look.
with that being said, english bustles are difficult when the fabric of the wedding dress is made of a heavier material. most of the time, if the weight of your wedding dress fabric is heavier, like a thick crepe, mikado, etc., it may be best to do a french bustle.
french bustle
the french bustle is a great choice for a bride wanting subtle sophistication. this type of bustle is done by installing ribbons or hooks on the inside of the dress. by tying certain ribbons together or connecting specific hooks, the train tucks into itself and creates a pick up that is tucked underneath.
best wedding dresses for a french bustle
french bustles beautifully compliment a variety of wedding dresses, but often look particularly elegant on fitted wedding gowns. as mentioned above, a french bustle is likely the best option if your wedding dress is made of a heavier fabric and needs additional support to secure the bustle.
TIPS FOR BUSTLING YOUR WEDDING DRESS
our biggest tip for bustling your wedding dress on your wedding day is to take a video of your bustle at your alterations appointment. typically a seamstress will show you how your bustle works and you can refer back to that video if you or your friends get confused on your wedding day.