The Bustle: an Interlude
I’d stressed about the bustle on and off for the past two weeks. I looked online to see if I could find examples of the two options I was shown, and I actually found a photo of the two options side by side.
Warning: this picture is NOT my dress. It’s some random photo from the intertubes. But these are the two kinds of bustles:
I had chosen the one on the left while I was in the dress shop, but with this clear view of the photo, I began thinking in earnest that I’d made the wrong choice. But how could I be sure? Maybe it looks different on my dress! Who the heck knows?
Yesterday, I decided to stop worrying and to just do something about it. I called the shop, but got the answering machine. I didn’t want to wait any longer to get this stupid dress off my mind, so I sent this email to the shop owners:
Hey there,
I have a quick question for you. I came in on June 11th for my first dress fitting and I was surprised that I had to choose how my bustle would go on that day. In retrospect, it probably shouldn't be a surprise, but alas, I am clueless and I wish I had brought someone with me to help make the choice. Unfortunately, I've been sweating my decision ever since, and I really wish I could get a second opinion.
I'm hoping that I can either:
A) Hold off on the bustle alteration until my next fitting, which is July 16th and then I will bring a bridesmaid with me so she can help make the call or
B) (if it's not possible to wait) is it possible to change my decision at this point, because I have a strong feeling that I made the wrong choice.
Sorry for the indecisiveness on the issue; it's just been stuck in my head and I really wish I had brought someone with me.
Cheers,
Katie
Yesterday, I decided to stop worrying and to just do something about it. I called the shop, but got the answering machine. I didn’t want to wait any longer to get this stupid dress off my mind, so I sent this email to the shop owners:
Hey there,
I have a quick question for you. I came in on June 11th for my first dress fitting and I was surprised that I had to choose how my bustle would go on that day. In retrospect, it probably shouldn't be a surprise, but alas, I am clueless and I wish I had brought someone with me to help make the choice. Unfortunately, I've been sweating my decision ever since, and I really wish I could get a second opinion.
I'm hoping that I can either:
A) Hold off on the bustle alteration until my next fitting, which is July 16th and then I will bring a bridesmaid with me so she can help make the call or
B) (if it's not possible to wait) is it possible to change my decision at this point, because I have a strong feeling that I made the wrong choice.
Sorry for the indecisiveness on the issue; it's just been stuck in my head and I really wish I had brought someone with me.
Cheers,
Katie
I chewed my nails until the reply came:
Hi Katie-
No worries at all – we will hold off on doing your bustle until the next fitting.
See you soon,
X
Followed by complete ecstasy and relief and happiness on my part. Now I can finally relax about the darn bustle. Why didn't I just contact them earlier?? DUH.
Hi Katie-
No worries at all – we will hold off on doing your bustle until the next fitting.
See you soon,
X
Followed by complete ecstasy and relief and happiness on my part. Now I can finally relax about the darn bustle. Why didn't I just contact them earlier?? DUH.
I briefed my bridesmaid Heather on the issue, and she’s excited to come with me and help make the choice. So all’s well that ends well.
And actually, you can help make the choice too. Which one do you like?
I have some super awesomeness approaching. Tomorrow morning, Steve and I will haul our butts out of bed in the 5 o’clock hour, Todd and Heather are picking us up and we’re all going to Las Vegas for a long weekend with a big group of friends. Julie, Rachelle and Leah are also coming out, plus a big pack of Steve’s friends. Then we will celebrate with what is known as bachelor and bachelorette parties. And it is going to be awesome. Did I say that already? Yes? Double awesome.
And actually, you can help make the choice too. Which one do you like?
I have some super awesomeness approaching. Tomorrow morning, Steve and I will haul our butts out of bed in the 5 o’clock hour, Todd and Heather are picking us up and we’re all going to Las Vegas for a long weekend with a big group of friends. Julie, Rachelle and Leah are also coming out, plus a big pack of Steve’s friends. Then we will celebrate with what is known as bachelor and bachelorette parties. And it is going to be awesome. Did I say that already? Yes? Double awesome.
Katie Morton
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Reader Comments (25)
I'm DEFINITELY liking option A! To me it's more flirty and feminine. The other a little bit more "safe" and forgive me...matronly. If your dress has detailing at the bottom the way this one does then why not show it off?! Stick with what you picked!!
I like the one on the right for no particular reason.
Either one will be lovely. Can you sit on them equally? In reality, you'll be so busy that day you won't give it a second thought.
hmm, I can understand why this issue has played on your mind. And, unless you have some pretty detail on the skirt of your dress that you really want to display, I'd pick the right-hand option. Either way though, you'll look stunning. And I thought your hair was very pretty. I liked all those spirly curls, especially the top half - really beautiful. Hope your double 'B' parties are terrific fun.
I actually like the option on the left better. But it's about what YOU like and it sounds like you already kind of know that you prefer the option on the right.
I think both options allow you to show off the skirt detail. I think people are thinking that option B tucks the hem of the skirt up underneath and we're looking at the underskirt. But the dress on the right is just a different dress that does not have the rose embroidery (it's not hidden, in other words). It's just a plainer dress, so the back of the skirt hanging down is plainer. If it had the same embroidery, you would still see it in option B. All that said, I like option B, because your butt will look smaller and your form more elongated. I had the "butt tack" at my wedding, and at 5'1 and 102 lbs, I think now that it made me look too wide and round back there, at least for my height. I was not offered a choice like you were. Wishing you a fab party weekend in Vegas. What a great idea!
I like the one on the left better.
I think the first option looks more deliberate. By that, I mean, the second option almost looks like the dress accidentally got tucked underneath itself while you went to the bathroom or something. My best friend had her dress bustled like that for her wedding a few weeks ago and it looked nice, but seeing the first option now, I think that looks much nicer. I'm sure either way will look beautiful though! I hope you'll post a picture of your dress one day! Have fun in Vegas! Make sure you go see the Thunder From Down Under - so much fun!
We ARE going to see Thunder From Down Under on Friday night. :-)
Very excited about that.
Agree with TakenGirl. The bustle-under option to me looks almost accidental, like it's a hot day and the dress stuck to the back of your knees! But it might look more intentional with your actual dress.
I like the one on the left (your original choice). I just think it looks girlier :).
I like the left, to me the right looks like its been caught after using the restroom. But hey, that's me!
Personally, I worry that the left one would look like I have taffeta shooting out of my ass. Either that, or a horse's tail.
On the other hand, I agree with y'all on the coming out of the bathroom with my dress tucked into my underpants look.
Can't I just drag the dress around behind me all night? ;)
I really like the one on the left, but it may look completely different on your dress.
i love bustle but i have noticed at a lot of weddings that I have gone to that the back of it drags a little bit on the floor and gets stepped on gets ripped off the hooks, buttons, etc and drags on the floor. My suggestion to you is to make sure the bustle does not drag at all when its done up and to have a lot of extra safty pins in case you (god forbid) need them to keep the bustle hooked up.
you are going to look GORGEOUS- the hair 'do and the dress + the internal glow of your wedding day. only happiness for you and steve
right. the left looks like a tail.
Tough to call because the dress on the left has more feminine and pretty detailing, but my instinctual response was option A. You will be beautiful! Have a great time in Vegas!
...and try not to elope.
The second one. Less -- there's something on my butt -- and more elegant, in my opinion. Have a great time!
Hi Katie, A friend of mine was married and she didn't like what they had to do to add the bustle on the left. She had a long train which ultimately required a row of buttons just below her waist when the dress was down. She didn't like how this looked from the back because her dress was a simple satin at that point and the buttons really stood out.
I hope that made sense.
Maybe you could ask the woman doing the alterations what would be required for both alternatives... it might make your decision easier.
I agree with TakenGirl - what she said was exactly what ran through my head as I looked at the pictures. I definitely favor Choice A.