Ahead, we break down the top five wedding dress bustle types every bride should know—plus, the top three bustle mistakes all brides should avoid. Read on for more.

What Is a Wedding Bustle?

To bustle a wedding dress refers to the process of altering a bridal gown to function as if it had no train. This is done by fastening the train to the rest of the dress so that a bride can walk freely without tripping over her ensemble throughout the night. And, contrary to popular belief, this bridal alteration isn’t solely reserved for large ball gowns: Any dress that is floor length can be bustled to create a shorter hemline post-ceremony.

Mistakes to Avoid When Bustling a Wedding Dress

Want to ensure your wedding dress gets bustled securely and correctly? Here, we highlight the top three mistakes to avoid before and during the big day.

Trying to bustle your wedding dress alone.

Once you’re in your wedding dress, it’s nearly impossible to effectively put the bustle in place yourself. That’s why it’s important to enlist the help of your maid of honor, a bridesmaid, your mom, or your mother-in-law to bustle your gown on the big day. In fact, whoever is tasked with this important job will need to attend your final fitting and learn how to alter your ensemble directly from your seamstress.

Not budgeting for your wedding dress bustle.

Wedding dress bustles don’t come cheap, and the final price will depend on how many bustle points and what type of bustle you need. In general, the cost of adding a bustle to your wedding dress ranges between $75 to $250, on average, so don’t forget to add that cost to your overall fashion budget.

Forgetting to pack a “bustle repair kit.”

No matter how carefully your seamstress stitches your bustle, there’s always a possibility that it can break during your reception. Wedding dresses can be very heavy, and you’re relying on a few delicate bustle points to hold the whole operation in place while dancing, walking, and mingling. Thus, prepare for the worst-case scenario by having safety pins, a sewing needle, and a clear fishing line on hand in the bridal suite.

If your wedding dress is bustled with ribbons and one of them comes loose, for example, a bridesmaid should be prepped to sew the ribbon back into the dress with a clear fishing line. If the problem is more complicated, though, you can pin the dress together at the broken bustle point with an oversized safety pin.

The 5 Most Common Wedding Dress Bustle Types

Unless your dress is short or tea-length, you’re likely going to need a bustle in order to dance and move around comfortably during your reception. But since most wedding dresses come without bustles, use the below guide to work with your seamstress to find the right style to suit your gown.

FAQ

• When should I bustle my wedding dress?

  Brides will typically bustle their dresses after the ceremony and before the reception, though some opt to leave their train flowing for the first dance.

• Who typically bustles a wedding dress for a bride?

  A maid of honor, bridesmaid, parent, or close friend should be assigned the task of bustling a wedding dress. Since it’s nearly impossible to secure a bustle while wearing a bridal gown, brides must enlist the support of a trusted person to help them with this task.

• How long does it take to bustle a wedding dress?

  Bustling a wedding dress shouldn’t take longer than a couple of minutes, depending on your helper’s familiarity with the process. This is why it’s important for them to attend at least one fitting with you to understand the technique and reduce any fumbling time on the wedding day.

• Is it difficult to walk or sit in a bustled wedding dress?

  Bustles are intended to add to your comfort and mobility, not impede it. A professionally executed bustle is created to fit your body and the natural fall of the wedding dress, so it shouldn’t be any more constricting than the silhouette’s own design