Tips For Adding A Bustle to Your Wedding Gown
You’ve finally said yes to your dream wedding gown, woo! But, you’re not done just yet, brides-to-be.
In addition to achieving the perfect fit, you’ll have a few other decisions to make when it comes to your bridal ensemble. Veil or no veil? Statement jewelry or just a pair of simple earrings? What is a bustle and do you even need one? The answer to all of those questions is completely up to you and your bridal style. But, when it comes to a dress bustle, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the process before you head into your first fitting.
In short, a bustle will keep you from tripping over your wedding dress and taking any awkward tumbles while on the dance floor. Beware that adding a bustle to your wedding dress isn’t a simple task, so make sure to leave that bit to a professional. If you want to know a little bit more info about a bustle and its different styles before you make a decision, we’ve broken it all down for you below!
What is a bustle?
A dress bustle is more of a process than an actual product you can hold, like a veil or sash. The bustle is the process of “removing” a train from your wedding gown. This is done by adding buttons, ribbons, a hook, or a wristlet on the back of your gown that you can attach your train to post-ceremony. This will make it easier for you to mingle and dance freely without worrying about stepping on your dress!
How much does a bustle cost?
Most wedding gowns don’t come with a bustle, so expect to take your gown to a tailor to have this process completed to your satisfaction. Bustles can cost anywhere between $75 and $250 depending on the type of gown you have. Gowns with more train fabric, like a ballgown, will cost more to bustle because chances are you’ll need more than one attachment point for your train. Also, make sure to bring a member of your bridal party with you to the fitting so they can learn how to execute the bustle, which can be difficult to do on your own since you’ll be the one wearing the wedding gown.
via Pinterest
Photography by Fabiana Skubic Photography
Bustle For A Ball Gown
If your dress is a ball gown silhouette, an American, Ballroom, or Train-Flip bustle will best suit your wedding gown! An American bustle will have multiple hooks placed throughout the waistline of your gown so you can hook your train over the top of your dress, with more pick-up points giving a dramatic effect. Ballroom style will make your train look as if it has disappeared, with multiple hooks being sewn into the bodice of your wedding gown, causing the material of the train to fold in on itself. If you’d rather the train fabric not be seen at all, a Train-Flip bustle has hooks inside the wedding gown so your train can flip underneath the dress.
Bustle For A Mermaid or A-Line Gown
For wedding gowns that have a more natural waistline, like a mermaid or A-Line gown, a french bustle is an ideal style. Similar to an American bustle, this style will have hooks that pick up the train as it tucks under the silhouette, creating a layered or ruffled look at the bottom of your wedding gown. Ribbons can also be attached to secure the fabric and create extra pick-up points that will give your wedding gown extra flair.
Photography by Jennifer Matos Calegari
Photography by Elizabeth LaDuca Photography
Bustle For An Embellished Gown
With an embellished gown, you have to be extra careful when adding a bustle so as not to damage the intricate details of your wedding gown. That’s why an Austrian bustle is the best style for these types of wedding gowns. With this style, the gown fabric is gathered down the middle of the dress in the back, creating a ruching effect. The greatest benefit of this style is it’s the easiest to operate, which would be a comfort to the bridesmaid who is supposed to help you with your bustle on your big day.
Be Prepared For A Bustle Break
An extra tip for our lovely brides: bustles, although helpful, are susceptible to breaking. They have to support a large amount of heavy fabric, which can be difficult if you’re an intense dancer or are mingling all over your venue. So, just make sure to have safety pins, a needle and thread, or a clear fishing line on hand in case you need to fix the bustle on your wedding gown on the fly!
Photography by Alyssa Parker Photography
Share this with a bride who is considering adding a bustle to her wedding gown and sign up for one of our free style consultations to get answers to other gown questions you may have! Looking for affordable wedding dresses that can easily be bustled? Browse our collection of wedding dresses that are made-to-measure and priced at $1,200 or less!
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