Bustling Your Wedding Dress: Is It Really Necessary?

In 2020, before I even started the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, I was bored during the pandemic and randomly made a YouTube video answering a common question: Do I need to bustle my wedding dress?

At the time, the answer seemed so obvious to me, but it was one of those moments where I realized that what’s obvious for wedding professionals is not always obvious for brides. Fast forward to today, and I’ve seen that many brides are still tempted to skip the bustle. Let’s break down what a bustle is and why it will be one of the most important parts of your wedding reception.

What Is a Bustle?

A bustle is the alteration done to your wedding dress that transitions the train from being longer in the back to being the same length all around the gown. Essentially, it “picks up” the train, ensuring that no fabric is dragging behind you as you move.

Bustles are typically done by the seamstress during your dress alterations. There are many different styles of bustles—some are simple with only a few buttons, while others are much more elaborate, especially for dresses with longer trains or more layers. On average, a wedding dress has about 5 to 8 hooks, loops, or ties to secure the bustle, but I’ve seen dresses with over 20!

Do You Need to Bustle Your Dress?

Technically, you don’t need to bustle your wedding dress, but let me tell you why you’ll probably regret it if you don’t.

1. Avoid Getting Your Dress Stepped On

Even if you think you’ll hold your train or manage the fabric, I can 100% guarantee that guests will step on it. People simply aren’t used to looking out for fabric around their feet. When guests come in for a hug, they’ll forget about the train, and before you know it, someone will step on it.

2. It's a Safety Hazard

An unbustled dress is not just an inconvenience; it’s actually dangerous on the dance floor. Even a shorter train can be a trip hazard, and if your dress gets stepped on repeatedly, it will likely get dirty or even ripped.

3. Your Bustle Might Still Get Stepped On (And That’s Okay!)

Even when your dress is bustled, there’s a chance it’ll get stepped on during the reception, especially on the dance floor. But that’s why we have safety pins! It’s a sign of a great party when your bustle pops because you’ve been dancing so much. Just pin it up and get back out there!

Bustling Tips for a Smoother Wedding Day

To help make sure your bustle holds up and is easy to manage, here are a few tips:

1. Bring Someone to Your Final Fitting

Make sure to bring a bridesmaid, your mom, or anyone who will be with you on your wedding day to your final fitting. The seamstress can show them how to work the bustle, which will save time and stress on your big day.

2. Record a Video of the Bustle Process

Even if you have someone at your final fitting, it’s always a good idea to record a video of the seamstress showing how to bustle your dress. Those hooks, loops, or ties can be tricky to find, and a video will give you peace of mind.

3. Number or Color Code the Hooks

Ask your seamstress if they can number or color code the various hooks and ties. This makes it much easier for your designated helper to figure out what goes where.

4. Add Time to Your Wedding Day Schedule

Bustling a dress takes time, especially if it’s more complicated. Be sure to add time to your schedule for bustling before cocktail hour or before you’re announced into the reception. While some brides prefer to wait until after the first dance to bustle, I recommend doing it earlier.

5. Consider a Dress Loop

If you’re not sure about getting a full bustle, or you know you’ll be moving around a lot for photos, ask your seamstress to add a dress loop under the train. This allows you to hook the train around your wrist and carry it more easily without dragging it on the ground.

Extra Bustling Tools: Bring a Crochet Hook!

Bustle loops can be tiny and difficult to work with, especially if your ladies have acrylic nails (or no nails at all!). Having a crochet hook on hand can make grabbing those loops much easier and faster.

Pro tip: A crochet hook can also be super helpful if your dress has small hooks on the back. Even if your dress zips up and the hooks are decorative, they can be tricky to fasten. And don’t forget, the crochet hook will also help when it’s time to get out of the dress at the end of the night!

Final Thoughts: Is Bustling Really Necessary?

While skipping the bustle might seem tempting, especially if you’re dreaming of twirling in a dress with a long train all night, it’s usually not practical. Without a bustle, your dress is more likely to get stepped on, dirtied, or even ripped. Bustling ensures that you’ll enjoy your wedding day to the fullest without worrying about damaging your dress or tripping over it.

Have You Decided to Bustle or Not?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Were you contemplating skipping the bustle? Head over to the Wedding Planning Collective Facebook group and let me know!

And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to rate and review—it helps other couples find the wedding planning resources they need!