Shopping for your dream wedding dress is one of the most important and exciting tasks in the wedding planning process. With so many styles and options to choose from, finding the perfect gown can be a daunting task. Once you have your dream wedding dress in hand, you may start to wonder about the small details, such as when and how to bustle it. In this blog post, we will discuss whether you should bustle your dress before or after cocktail hour.
What does bustle means?
A bustle is a term used to describe a method of securing the train of a wedding dress to the back of the gown, making it easier to walk around and dance without tripping over the fabric or dragging it on the floor. Many wedding dresses come with a bustle already built in or can be altered to include one. There are many different types of bustles, including the American bustle, French bustle, and ballroom bustle.
The Timeline of a Wedding Day
Before we discuss the best time to bustle your wedding dress, let’s take a moment to go over the typical timeline of a wedding day. A wedding typically begins with the ceremony, followed by cocktail hour, dinner, and then dancing. The timeline can vary slightly depending on the couple’s preference, but typically, this is the order of events. It’s important to ensure that your wedding dress is bustled before the dancing portion of the evening begins.
Bustling Before Cocktail Hour
One option is to bustle your wedding dress before cocktail hour. This can be a good idea if you want to be free to enjoy the speeches, toasts, and drinks with your guests without worrying about the train of your dress. By having your gown bustled beforehand, you can focus on socializing and making memories with your loved ones without the weight of your dress holding you back.
However, bustling your gown before cocktail hour could also mean that you will have to wear your wedding dress for a longer amount of time. This may not be an issue for some brides, but it could be a concern for those who find their wedding dress uncomfortable after a few hours of wear. In addition, bustling your gown before cocktail hour could lead to the risk of the bustle coming undone during dinner or during the reception. This can be a nuisance to deal with and disrupt the flow of the evening.
Bustling After Cocktail Hour
Another option is to wait until after cocktail hour to bustle your wedding dress. This can be a good idea if you don’t mind carrying the weight of your dress around during cocktail hour. It gives you an opportunity to show off your beautiful gown without any adjustments, and it allows you to focus on the ceremony, photos, and cocktail hour without any added pressure.
Bustling your gown after cocktail hour can also be a good option if you’re having an outdoor ceremony or taking photos in a location where the ground is uneven, such as a vineyard or the beach. In that case, having your gown bustled during these activities can help prevent the train of your dress from getting damaged or dirty.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of whether to bustle your wedding dress before or after cocktail hour is entirely up to you. There are pros and cons to both options, and it’s important to consider what will work best for you. Keep in mind the type of bustle you have, the amount of time you’re comfortable wearing your dress, and the activities you have planned throughout the day. No matter what you choose, remember that the most important thing is to feel confident and beautiful in your gown as you celebrate with your loved ones on your special day.
FAQ
Do you bustle your dress before or after first dance?
When it comes to wedding dresses with a train, bustling the dress is often necessary to make moving around easier and avoid tripping or causing damage to the train. Bustling involves securing the train up, usually with buttons or hooks, so it is off the ground and less likely to get caught on anything. The question of whether to bustle before or after the first dance is a common one that brides-to-be might ask themselves.
In general, brides will typically bustle their dresses after the ceremony and before the reception. This is because the train tends to be most necessary during the ceremony, especially for religious or formal ceremonies, when the bride wants to look grand and majestic as she walks down the aisle. After the ceremony, the bride and groom usually take photos, and then transition into the reception space where they often greet guests and take part in other wedding traditions. At this point, the bride may want to consider bustling her dress so she can move around and socialize with more ease.
However, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to bustling a dress. Some brides may choose to leave their train flowing for the first dance, although this would depend on the length and style of the train and how comfortable the bride feels dancing with it. Opting not to bustle for the first dance can make for a dramatic and romantic look on the dance floor and can create some beautiful photo opportunities. That being said, if the train is particularly long or cumbersome, it may be wiser to bustle before the first dance to avoid tripping or getting caught on other dancers.
The decision of when to bustle a dress is a personal one that depends on the bride’s preferences, the style and length of the train, and the specific wedding traditions planned. However, generally speaking, anytime the train would impede comfortable walking or moving is a good time to consider bustling the dress.
When should I do bustle?
If you are a bride-to-be and you have chosen a gown with a train, you may be wondering when you should do a bustle. A bustle is a way of lifting up the train of a wedding gown so that it doesn’t drag on the ground after the ceremony. This makes it easier for the bride to move around freely and prevents her from tripping or getting the gown dirty.
Typically, a bustle is put up after the ceremony and before the reception. This is usually after the bridal party photos have been taken, but before the bride and groom dance their first dance. The reason for this timing is partly for safety reasons. During the ceremony, it’s important that your gown look as perfect as possible, and busting it up before can ruin the look. However, after the ceremony, once you are walking around and mingling with your guests, your gown can be perceived as a tripping hazard.
Most wedding photographers prefer to take the majority of your bridal photos before the bustle is put up. This means that you should plan your photography session accordingly, so that there is enough time to take all the photographs you want before lifting up the train. Additionally, most bustles are put up with buttons and loops or ties, which can take some time to put in place. You should plan to have a trusted member of your bridal party or a professional seamstress help you out with this.
A bustle is an important part of a bride’s wedding day attire, and it should be placed up after the ceremony. This allows you to move freely and safely during the reception, while also maintaining the perfect look of your gown during the ceremony. Plan accordingly to ensure that your photographs are taken before the bustle is put up, and have a trusted friend or professional help you out with the process.
How long does it take to bustle a wedding dress?
Bustling a wedding dress is an important part of wedding preparations, but many brides don’t give it enough attention. Proper bustling ensures that you will not trip while dancing and keeps your dress clean and in pristine condition, but it can take a little bit of time. On average, bustling a wedding dress only takes around three to five minutes. However, this short amount of time is critical in ensuring that the dress does not drag on the ground, which can be a nuisance in an outdoor or crowded venue.
Moreover, doing a perfect bustle for your wedding dress doesn’t solely depend on how fast you can do it; it is also critical to ensure that it is done correctly for your dress type. Therefore, you should practice busting your dress before the big day, or even better, have your seamstress show you how to do it in advance. Not only will this provide you with peace of mind, but you will also have the confidence that your dress will look beautiful from start to finish.
Bustling your wedding dress only takes a few minutes but is invaluable in ensuring a perfect appearance throughout your wedding day. Rushing through bustling your dress is not worth the risk of tripping or having a dirty dress, so take your time and practice to get it perfect. And remember, your seamstress or a wedding planner could assist you in mastering this essential task before your big day.