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Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student Engagement Date: November 30, 2007 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
About Mrs. Bruschetta

Bustle Tussle

April 30th, 2009 @ 12:00 pm by Mrs. Bruschetta

After finding the perfect shoes, I was so excited for my first fitting earlier this week. But it ended with the seamstress storming out of the room, and me fighting to hold back tears. And this coming Monday, I’m scheduled for my second first fitting — prior to this, though, I need some advice from the hive. Okay, let me explain further.

Mama Bruschetta came along — Sister Bruschetta, my matron of honor, was unavailable (but we figured she wouldn’t miss much at this first visit). I first met with Cindy, the alterations consultant, who helpfully advised me on my undergarment issue — a topic for another post (in the near future, I promise!). Cindy then helped me into my gown (making me extremely happy, as evidenced by my grinning mug, below) and told us the seamstress would be in soon.

~~~ White dress ahead, Mr. Bruschetta! You don’t wanna see this yet! ~~~


Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 1 1

From the minute she entered the room, the seamstress (let’s call her “Dee”) was all business. Great, right? In no time, she had the dress pinned along my bust (so it was no longer slipping down), and was kneeling on the floor beginning to tack the hem in place. While trying to remain comfortable — it was super challenging to stand perfectly still in my new 3 1/2-inch heels… especially considering it was an unusually balmy night (although it’s cooler out now, we were at the time having a summer preview here in the Philly area, with highs in the 90s!) and the alterations room was warm and stuffy — I snapped pictures of myself in the mirror and gabbed away with Mama Bru. Dee okayed my including her in some of the shots, chuckling at the fact that I was even capturing all this on film.

Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 21 2

After she finished the front hem, Dee continued crawling around me to the back of my dress. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it — I was tired, too warm, and still giddy to be wearing my dress — until I glanced down and noticed she was about a quarter of the way through pinning up a bustle. Whoa! I definitely didn’t think we were going to even do the bustle at this appointment — and spoke up right away saying so. A language barrier hampered my communication with Dee, though, and she didn’t seem to fully (or immediately) understand that I wanted to discuss the type of bustle before pinning it up. When I couldn’t effectively make my bustle idea known to Dee, Mama Bruschetta went searching for Debbie, the consultant who sold me the gown.

Debbie helped me explain the bustle idea, and Dee took immediate offense. She argued that there was only one way to bustle this gown, and that if it’s done any other way, it would ruin the look altogether. Then, without allowing me to further clarify the idea, she began hastily pinning the bustle. As soon as it was complete, Dee stood up and clearly addressed me and Mama Bruschetta, telling us we’re making a huge mistake with the bustle, and that it will make the dress look terrible.

My consultant, Debbie, was actually in the room for this rude exit, and assured me not to worry, that Dee was just stuck in her old ways, not wanting to do anything different — and, frankly, that the original bustle she pinned was much easier to sew, thus her complaints about the second version. Mama Bruschetta snapped a few more pictures, and we left, feeling confused and rushed, and disappointed in the bridal salon.

Once home, I began Googling to find pictures of Melissa Sweet “Mila” bustles — something I would have preferred to do before the fitting, had I known I would be forced into a bustle by the end of the evening — and reviewed the pictures we’d taken of the controversial bustle. I knew I didn’t like the style Dee had started on her own, but something about the second version also bothered me. Soon, I’d found some inspiration photos, and after a quick pep talk call to Mama Bruschetta, left a difficult — but important — voice message for Cindy (the alterations consultant) to discuss the crazy night we’d just had… and my doubts about the bustle pinned on my gown.

The next day, Cindy and I connected, and she apologized for the way I’d been treated and the undue stress Dee had caused by her lack of communication and negative attitude. Cindy suggested I begin my alterations experience anew — but let me know the only other available seamstress works on Fridays during the day (not a feasible alternative for me). And so I took a deep breath — because, just as during the fitting, I was fighting to hold back tears — and let her know that as long as we could proceed without any further issues, working with Dee would be fine. I told Cindy I’d appreciate it if someone spoke to Dee, and that, while I understand Dee is the seamstress (and so she clearly knows much more than me about sewing and alterations), I’m the expert in how I want to look and feel on my wedding day — and Dee would need to acknowledge this.

(Just a note: I’d like to stay at this shop for my alterations, since I have access to my consultant if I have any questions or problems — and the contract I negotiated before purchasing the dress has a nice little cap on the amount alterations can cost… which I wouldn’t be guaranteed elsewhere!)

Phew! I hope you’re all still reading along — sorry for the oh-so long winded back story!

Before my next appointment (to which I’m happy to say both Mama and Sister Bruschetta will be able to come), I really need to firm up my bustle plan. I’ve got a few thoughts — and I know what I don’t want — so here are some pictures (with explanations) to give you a clearer idea:

I found this picture, which is similar to the style Dee was pinning when the fitting became awkward and uncomfortable. In her version, each of the points was just below the asymmetrical back, so you could see each gathered bit of fabric — not a look I like at all. (No offense, of course, to this bride, who looks lovely in her gown!)

Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 3 3

(source)

Here’s the bustle that was on the gown when we left. It’s beautiful, but given the asymmetrical drop-waist and rouching, I don’t think the straight French bustle suits the gown. But what say you?

Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 4 4

Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 5 5

I found this bustle through a Knot message board. It’s… interesting. And definitely beautiful in its own way — it reminds me of the ruffles around a fancy parasol — but is it the right one for me?

Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 6 6

(source)

Finally, there’s the bustle Weddingbee reader peony80 recently posted about, which comes closest to the style I think I prefer. It’s similar to Dee’s attempt, but just has a much more polished look, in my opinion.

Bustle Tussle :  wedding wedding dress 77 7

Which style do you like best? (I really need your input and advice!) Did you have a hard time deciding on your bustle?

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76 Responses to “Bustle Tussle”

1 2 3 4 

1.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Ballet Flat (message)  852 posts, Busy bee

I like the third one the best. It blends well with the dress. :)

 
2.
Miss Burgundy
Hostess
Miss Burgundy (message)  1,426 posts, Bumble bee

I like the first and last ones the best, they show off the asymmetrical nature of the dress well and keep a more streamlined style. Good luck!

 
3.
IA_Snowflake
Member
IA_Snowflake (message)  1,913 posts, Buzzing bee

I like the last picture best, but that’s my opinion. I’m not really a “bustle” person so I like the way it just seamlessly makes the dress still flow.

 
4.
Miss Mary Jane
Bee
Miss Mary Jane (message)  1,973 posts, Buzzing bee

I like ruffled parosol one a lot!! It’s different and delicate and cute. I also like the bottom one though, and it sounds like with a little help your seamstress could pull that off no problem.

 
5.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Beagle (message)  1,381 posts, Bumble bee

Beautiful dress! Hmm.. googling images of the bustle on your dress style was a great idea (I need to remember that :) ) I like # 3 too.

 
6.
Member Icon
Member
Jenny Bee (message)  258 posts, Helper bee

I like the first and last best.

 
7.
Guest Icon
Guest
KikiLoo

I am with the others the first and third definitely keep to the look of the dress, a traditional looking bustle isn’t why you have that awesomely gorgeous dress! Keep strong Miss B, I am glad you spoke up!!

 
8.
Guest Icon
Guest
A

Definitely first and last one. I didn’t think the first one looked unpolished at all–I thought it looked lovely and didn’t take away from the gown. And, for sure, the way she pinned the bustle on you currently does NOT work.

 
9.
trisch84
Member
trisch84 (message)  48 posts, Newbee

I LOVE the ruffled parasol style! It’s different and fun, but still really feminine. It gives a lot of flair to the dress.

 
10.
Mrs. DG
Hostess
Mrs. DG (message)  8,491 posts, Bumble Beekeeper

I like the first one the best. I can’t really tell about the last one in that picture, but it looks very similar to me.

 
11.
Guest Icon
Guest
Bobasti

I like the first and last one a lot better than the other two - that style looks more integrated into the dress, more organic to the dress. I am guessing that what the seamstress wanted to do would look more like the last pic after it’s actually sewn.

 
12.
Guest Icon
Guest
Tiffany

I really like the last one. Simple, clean, chic, and still showcases the dress!! I haven’t started the whole bustle journey yet, but this discussion makes me nervous… good luck with the process!!

 
13.
Guest Icon
Guest
Serena

You’re right, the straight French bustle looks horrible with the dress. I actually like Dee’s bustle (the first one); I think it looks the best with the dress, and it gives the illusion that there isn’t even a bustle at all! The last picture is good too though.

 
14.
Soon2BeeMrsLewis
Member
Soon2BeeMrsLewis (message)  727 posts, Busy bee

definately the last one!

 
15.
Miss Bear Cub
Bee
Miss Bear Cub (message)  1,566 posts, Bumble bee

my seamstress did a bustle before I even knew it! I have a very different dress than you, but it’s similar to the french bustle your seamstress came up with. Luckily I like it - all the pinning and bustling went by so fast I didn’t have a chance to question otherwise!

 
16.
Guest Icon
Guest
MissH

I think that you were perhaps a bit too quick to dismiss the seamstress’ work. Her opinion about the way she was doing it being the best option is definitely right in my opinion.

 
17.
darilinda
Member
darilinda (message)  138 posts, Blushing bee

I never even considered the bustle at all. It was just done but my dress is less complicated in terms of the assymetry that yours has. The last look, overall, looks the most polished and sleek. The one of your actual dress, is not as finished.

You should get what YOU want and not what some seamstress wants. I’m glad you stuck up for yourself!!!

 
18.
Guest Icon
Guest
Honeydew

The last one. It seems to suit the dress well.

 
19.
Member Icon
Member
peony80 (message)  104 posts, Blushing bee

Hi Ms. Bruschetta!
Wow, what a pleasant surprise that my bustle made it onto your post! :)

I have to say that I do like the 1st and the last (the one I have) bustles the most. When I was researching bustles for this dress, I also came across the two pics in the middle that you posted. Although they are very unique and definitely caught my eye, I don’t know that it really meshed well with the assymetry of the dress. I have one a picture of another bride that has this dress as well, which I can share with you if you’d like.

Good luck! I have an appt myself this Sunday for the last/final fitting where I may adjust my bustle, but just lower it by a bit, since it looks lifted off the floor too much for my liking.

One last thing - I think the 1st bustle and mine are pretty similar. I know that if you tousle the bustle a bit with your hands, it can change the shape of the bustle a bit. My seamstress did that to mine when I wanted some more “pouf” and it did look different.

 
20.
markyk
Member
markyk (message)  227 posts, Helper bee

I like Dee’s version or the weddingbee readers version. I think the others take away from the dress.

 
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Mrs. Bruschetta
Mrs. Bruschetta

Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student Engagement Date: November 30, 2007 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.

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