Bustle

If you don't want to bustle it you can ask a seamstress to add a small wrist loop to it so you can carry it if need be. I m bustling mine because I don't want to worry about myself or others stepping on it. Id be the person who totally face plants in her wedding dress ha! If its a long train you ll probably want to at least have the option of doing something with it as the night goes on but talk to a seamstress and see what they recommend. In the end its your decision. Best of luck to you!

This was discussed in a recent thread on trains. https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/train-or-no-train/d190e20e3760d4c6.html

Joanna said her experience without a bustle was no problem. This may not be many people's preference but hers is a voice from the other side.

There are some options to have both with the train and without. An overskirt is available with some dresses or a planned add-on.

I would just be aware of how long your train is. You don’t want anyone to step on it while dancing and rip your dress or get footprints all on it

How much dancing will you even do after, for example, the First Dance? After that comes the continuing interaction with more guests. It also depends how big of a guest list you have whether a bustle is needed. Have any brides gotten the bustle details added but did not really bustle your gown?

Thanks Michael yes - I had a cathedral train and didn't bustle, and it was fine. I had a loop.
The loop was great for the photoshoot outside.

My dress was also considerably longer than alterations people normally recommend. Again, tripping wasn't an issue. If you plan on literally running up and down stairs during your wedding you might want to consider a bustle for practical purposes. Otherwise, it is not necessary. Do it if you like the look and want one. Please don't be scared into thinking it's must if you'd prefer to keep your train throughout the day

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Joanna,

So many want to stay in their dress for the reception. I'm starting to like this option because the dress remains in full view instead of a shortened version.

Love this thank you all so much

If you don’t have a bustle, you and guests will trip over it.

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It is a great moment to sort these ideas out. Glad you brought up the question.

PSA: no one is obligated to bustle if they don’t want to.


I have a shorter train (1-2 fee in length) and I’m opting to not bustle. A girl I saw today getting her alterations had an even longer train (3-4 feet long?) also opted to not bustle. If you’re uncomfortable with the length for dancing or maneuvering, you can bustle. If you do want to bustle, depending on the fabric, skirt shape, weight (and so on) there are several types of bustles you can do. French bustle, American bustle, Austrian bustle, ballroom bustle, and train-flip bustle to name the most common ones. Prices can widely vary for each type depending on feasibility with your specific dress. The number of places that need the bustle buttons/loops, will affect cost. For instance, train flip bustles generally require lots of anchor points (especially compared to American or French bustles) for the entire skirt, not just in the back to be effective. This will cost money, and time during the beginning of the reception to achieve, even with a few hands. Highly recommend checking with a seamstress!

I’m just not doing a train. I hate bustles. I know that if your train is long enough you can have a loop added at the end and put it on your wrist. That way no one is stepping on it at the reception and you don’t have to worry about tying it up right. I thought about doing this for my dress, but with all the beading and embellishments it has it would just be too heavy to be comfortable.