A Perfect Wedding Gown for the Perfect Venue!

When shopping for a wedding gown there are a million details to be considered.  Does the style fit your personality? Is the fit perfect for your body shape? Is it too fancy, or too simple? One of the key factors is your venue.  At each appointment we ask each bride for their wedding date and immediately following.. “Where are you getting married?”  Your venue can help decide on some guidelines for your wedding gown.

Formal Wedding

For a formal wedding consider your silhouette, especially if your venue is very grand.  You want to be able to make a statement and have a larger presence in such a great venue.  Consider a ballgown with a longer train.  This doesn’t mean you have to look like a poofy princess (unless you want to of course 🙂 ).  Modern day ballgowns have something for everyone, from feathers to classy satin.  And don’t skimp on your veil.  Make sure its cathedral length even if your train isn’t.  This will create grandeur and wonderful lines to compliment your gown.

A Formal Princess Wedding

Once you decide on your silhouette, your fabric is next! Satin is the queen of formality.  If you decide against a ballgown silhouette and you prefer something more fitted like a mermaid, satin still works well.  Against satin? A beautiful alencon lace gown will create a timeless look.  Remember Duchess Catherine? Yup! Exactly that.

A Grand Ballgown

To sparkle or not to sparkle? With a formal wedding you can go allllll out! An embelished bodice will look gorgeous, but if you just want a bit of bling try diamond jewelry, a cystal belt, a beaded bolero or a fun headpiece.  There is no such thing as too much bling in this case.

Garden Wedding

Look for a gown that compliments nature and that has an organic feel.  A slimmer silhoutte like a sheath, modified A-line or trumpet would be perfect.  These silhouttes can compliment many body types. Try to also find a gown with a smaller train such as a chapel length or sweep train.  Walking down the aisle and having your reception outside might catch on a few leaves and branches.  Once you pick your silhoutte, you can choose any length veil! A longer veil will help weigh it down in case its windy, but a short fingertip length will compliment the less formal garden feel.

A Trumpet Style

For your fabric, try to look for something that has a light feel such as an organza or a soft lace, like chantilly lace. Along with being light, they compliment an outdoor organic feel.  The embelishments on your gown can go in two directions depending on the time of your wedding.  If it is a daytime wedding, minimize the amount of bling on your gown and accessories with sashes, feathers or fun headbands.  If you are having an evening wedding a little bit of sparkle won’t hurt.  The sparkle will glimmer throughout the night!

Beach Wedding

A beach wedding requires a bit of a balancing act.  A gown that matches the casual ceremony might need to have a formal feel for the reception afterwards. Any A-line, sheath, empire (destination style) or mermaid can work well for a beach wedding.   A flowy fabric will look wonderful by the sea breeze and it will create a light airy feel in case you are dealing with major heat and humidity.

Light and Flowy

Just like the garden wedding, the beach wedding follows similar “rules” regarding beading and emroidery on your wedding gown.  Be conscious of your surroundings and time of day.  A little bit of detailed sparkle will look gorgeous against a sparkling sea, especially at sunset, but an over the top beaded bodice, train, veil, earrings, etc. might overbear the casual venue.

And a Little More Formal for the Reception

What kind of venue will you have? xx

To Bustle, or not to Bustle?

Some brides have some apprehensions about bustles and whether or not they want one, or if the one they have in mind will look they way they want.  Here at The Bustle our seamstresses can tell you what sort of bustle would work best on your gown based on the fabric of the gown, the detail of the gown, and what you gravitate toward. 🙂 Below are a few different ways to take up your train depending on your dress and style.

The English Bustle

The English bustle, or over bustle,  works great if you would like to show off some bead work or lace on your train!  It also complements mermaid dresses very well.  “Eyes” and “hooks” must be added for this type of bustle; the “eyes” are placed along the waistline while the hooks are down along the back of the dress.

Here is a Great Example of an Over Bustle!

 The French Bustle

Another great option is the under bustle or French/Victorian bustle.  This works well for gowns with no waistline or have a lot of detail going on in the back area.  It creates a more traditional look and more volume to the gown.  It is perfect for a ballgown or A-line, especially if it already has decorative pick ups.

Here is an Example of an Under Bustle!

Austrian Bustle

 While different and uncommon, the still beautiful Austrian bustle is created by running a ribbon through a back seam and pulling it through, creating a casing.

Beautiful Austrian Buslte!

The Loop

Though this is not technically a bustle, it is still an attractive way to keep your train off the ground for your reception.  Brides who have a train but would like to skip the bustle, can attatch a loop at the end of the train underneath, and simply put it on their wrist-a very romantic look. Some gowns even come with a loop underneath their train already!

Sweet and Old-Fashioned Way to Keep Your Train Off the Floor at Your Reception!

It’s a good idea to keep in mind which bustles will work best for your gown.  If you want to show off some amazing lace or beautiful beading on your gown the the over bustle is a good option. If you have a ballgown or A-line, the under bustle is a great pick.  All in all, each option creates a beautiful bustle for any bride.

 Which bustle will you go with?!

A Dress No One Will Have

Every bride wants to be unique in her own way.  How can you guarantee that the gown you choose will be unique to you? There are hundreds of designers and thousands of gowns, so here are a few tips on how to make your gown yours no matter how popular it might be!

Accessories are an everyday part of life.  Well, you can do the same with your wedding gown.  Lets say you fall in love with a very popular style, do not be afraid to glam it up.  I promise not to list anything impossible or anything made up.  I have seen all of these fun changes and made note at how wonderfully creative my brides can be.

No matter what the style, belts give you a small waist and fun options. You can pick sashes to match your bridal colors, or find something totally unique.

Bridal Belt

Recently I saw a completely different, one-of-a-kind masterpiece turned into something even more unique. Our bride was the first to purchase this gown ever! Then… she decided to cut off half of it! Do not be afraid girls! She is going to be the only girl in the world with that gown.

In many cultures, the color red is predominant in the bridal world.  Well, why not “marry” red and white? One of our brides had a beautifully beaded gown and she added red beading to it in order to represent her culture.  How creative is that? Find a gown with red detailing or even save some money by using a red sash!

Red Detailing

 

Do not hesitate to ask your bridal consultant if ordering more fabric is possible.  A bride recently fell in love with the dress, but she wanted to add capped sleeves to the strapless gown.  We ordered her the same exact fabric from the manufacturer, and I can’t wait to see the end result!

Another bride loved her gown but she wanted a longer train.  Sometimes designers have the option of adding on a few feet to an existing train for an added cost.  The bustle can be a little complicated, but it is do-able.

LONG Train

Ok, it doesn’t have to be as long as the picture, but you know what I mean 😉

If you don’t want to go custom with accessories, try smaller boutiques.  Rather than shopping at brand name stores, or larger “department store” type places, stick to a small intimate boutique.  They usually have a smaller selection, but you will be surprised at their different gowns.  They can carry local designers that aren’t all over the magazines.  At The Bustle, we carry Somsi Couture.  She only designs her dresses (made by hand by her) for our boutique with a few sample exceptions. Local designers are different, but also aren’t too wild so you won’t be getting any crazy stares hehe.

If you aren’t too specific, don’t worry. No matter what dress you fall in love with, it will be unique to you.  Your body shape and individual personality will shape your gown into something that is totally yours.

The Bustle: French or English?

Some of you might eliminate a possible contender because of its train length.  Well do not fear! The length of your train, no matter how long, can be bustled up and you do not have to worry about it dragging along behind you during your reception. Sometimes the train of a gown can really make an impact and it is mostly only visible during your ceremony and for a few pictures. Once it’s time to get your grooooove on, the right seamstress will create a flawless bustle unique to your wedding gown.

The bustle is created during your alterations and each seamstress should show you your different options for which bustle will work for your gown.  There are two main bustle designs: The French Bustle tucks the train underneath itself; The English Bustle buttons the train over itself.  Make sure to bring your mom or maid of honor to learn how to button you up because they will be the ones to bustle your train before the party begins!

American Bustle

The English Bustle, as mentioned, buttons or ties the train on top of itself.  That does sound silly, but it makes sense when you see it. The material, weight and length of your train will determine how many loops and buttons will be needed to create a sound and strong structure. The buttons are usually clear so they won’t interfere with the design of your dress.  You can have as little as one point to lift your bustle or as many as five.  The picture shows a traditional single point bustle, but be aware that sometimes single pointed bustles might not be strong enough.  So, if you need an “over” bustle, ask for three points or more reinforcement!

The French Bustle serves that same function, just done differently.  You can get as creative with it as you do with the English style.  This time your train tucks underneath the gown layers and any ribbons or buttons are completely hidden.  This look is very popular with ballgowns which

French Bustle

already have pick ups.  This way the bustle just flows with the gown design.  Unlike the single layer in an English Bustle, the French allows you to create even two layers of bustling underneath.  The example shows a very creative and fun spin on the “under” idea. Even though some may lean towards this style, just remember that each dress is different and a French Bustle might not work.

And do not be afraid of getting creative! I have seen all kinds of bustles, sometimes even combining the French and English in one! Believe us, The Bustle rocks. 😉

Which bustle will you/did you choose?

Veil or No Veil?

Some might think that veils are out of style, very “old school”, but when you think about it, when will you ever get to wear a veil again? If you haven’t tried on any veils yet, definitely do because you might be pleasantly surprised.  No matter what your style, whether it is romantic, edgy or simple, there is a veil out there made for you.  If you like sparkles, do you prefer simple bugle beads or embroidered flowers? Two tiered or single? Cathedral length or birdcage? Veils are making a comeback in all different styles.

I’m sure you all watched the royal wedding, and if you haven’t, you definitely saw pictures at some point.  The veil length that

Veil Lengths

Katherine wore is considered Cathedral Length, the longest veil option.  Cathedral length can create a traditional feel or a romantic detail that matches the length of your train.  If your train is shorter and a Cathedral length is too long, your next option is Chapel Length which is about 10-15 inches shorter.  It still creates the long feel, but might match your gown better by just slightly brushing the floor. Your next step up is the Waltz Length.  This length can be perfect for trumpet and mermaid style gowns because the end of the veil “hits” where your gown might flare out.  The Fingertip Length is very similar as (depending on that designs “arm length”) it could reach the flare as well.  The shorter versions include Elbow Length which on some gowns will reach the end of a bodice on a ballgown or the bottom of a corset in the back of other styles.  The shortest of all veil length is the Shoulder Length.  This is a fun length because it really creates a different look.  You can turn your simple feel into a couture look with an application of such a short veil.  Those that want something toootally different love birdcage veils.  Those are the tiny ones that only cover your face a little and look like netting.  Options galore! Try them all on and see which one fits your gown.  You might be pleasantly surprised.

Ok, now that you picked what length you like, you get to accessorize your accessory! Veils come with all kinds of beading, lace and cuts.  If you like sparkle, veils can come with the usual beading, or you can UPgrade with Swarovski Crystals. And don’t be scared, that kind of Bling Bling does not come at an unimaginable price.  Beading opens up many options on how sparkly you want to get and what designs can be created with those beads. Other options include lace edging that can sometimes come with beading as well.  Different cuts can also add detail, like scalloped edging. More simple details include ribbon edging that can range from a 1/8 inch to 1 inch in width.  Color? Yea.. that too.  Diamond White veils pretty much match every gown, but if you really want to be specific, its as easy as asking if the veil you picked comes in other color options to match your white, diamond white, ivory, candlelight, alabaster, silver, gold, phew.. any colored gown.  I know it seems like a lot, but hang in there! If you prefer a more traditional look, you can purchase a veil with a blusher (the part of the veil that covers your face), or purchase a removable blusher.  At The Bustle, whenever I have a bride come in, I play with different veils with each dress she tries on, so the process is much easier than it seems. Scouts Honor!

Head Pieces

You have found your veil and it perfectly flows down the aisle with you and looks gorgeous during the ceremony.  It even makes your pictures look stunning.  But after the ceremony is over, most of the time brides do not wear their veils at their reception.  If you are not a veil person, it really is only for an hour or two that you get to wear it.  Naked head feeling? Accessorize! You can either add accessories after your ceremony or wear them during so when the veil comes off you still have something fun! Options include tiaras, handmade organza flowers with all kinds of details, fresh flowers or crystal headpieces.

OK, there you have it! Your Veil 101. Believe me ladies, your grooms are simple minded when it comes to weddings (no offense guys).  When they think Wedding or Bride .. that equals = white dress and a veil to pull over for your first kiss! Don’t disappoint ladies 😉