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I haven’t been blogging as much lately because things are a whirlwind. We’re exactly 20 days from the wedding and there is still so much left to do. My head is spinning and all of a sudden, I am suffering from amnesia! I have become so forgetful and there’s unexpected stress flying at me from every different direction.
Did you expect to be stressed about your dress fittings? I guess I was a naive bride-to-be these last 18 months because I always thought alterations would be easy peasy. Think again, Miss Brooch! First came the anxiety of leaving my wedding gown with a complete stranger knowing the power of needle and thread. The thought of anyone (even a skilled seamstress) pulling my dress apart makes me cringe.
Then there’s determining the right fit. The lady working on my dress has taken in more than one full inch on each side and it’s still too big. I’ve lost some weight since my first fitting. I think we’ll get the fit right, but I can’t lie, I’m pretty stressed about the whole thing.
I loved the fit of the gown more than anything when I bought it, so I really want to recreate that look! I guess the fact that this is my wedding gown os all contributing the immense feeling that it should fit perfectly.
Then there’s the bustle—OMG y’all! I have no idea how to bustle this dress. I guess I always assumed it would come with a bustle or that the seamstress would just tell me what kind to have. Instead, the choice is left up to me and that’s not fairing too well at all since my brain has become complete mush.
I googled “wedding dress bustle” and found a lot—I never realized there were so many options!
Really? Really you guys? Why didn’t you warn me! Luckily, I found this article on Project Wedding extremely helpful. I think I like the French and Australian bustle the best. I’m not sure the Australian bustle is a possibility so I might go with the French. I found this before-and-after shot that I think represents what my dress looks like (from the back) now and what I want it to look like with the bustle.
Did you know right away the best bustle for you? How did you choose? Are stressed about your fittings?
I am suuuuper stressed about my fitting next week. Glad to know I’m not the only one!
also stressed out about my fitting coming up next week! I’m with ya girl!
I’m with you both, except I have the opposite problem! I bought a Casablanca 1975 online and the dress is too small!!! I’m a size 0 in regular clothes, and it’ STILL too small. Aye aye aye. The seamstress says it’s no big deal, but wow, I am stressed. No way for me to lose weight unless I have a rib surgically removed! 
I completely understand where you are coming from! That article was great by the way- i was being forced into the 1 point bustle by all the places and now i’m thinking the 3 point or ball gown one might be a better option for my dress. And don’t worry about it- everything will be perfect you will look beautiful in your dress and the ladies in these stores are accustomed to working with these materials and brides who change sizes (I’m having my zip up dress converted to a corset back for this reason as well)
PS- I had a question about where you’ve been getting your Mason Jars or if I could buy them after your wedding- I’m in DC too and it would be great to Bride Share and save each other some much needed mulahhh with all these wedding expenses!
Can you believe I DON’T want a train, because I think bustles look wonky? Also, cheapie over here doesn’t want to shell out $$ for one.
Now to actually FIND a floor-length gown….
based on the look of the back of your dress I think French would look best, your seamstress should have had an idea based on the style of your dress. Mine narrowed it down to 2 and then pinned it to replicate how each would look, I love the french but the american bustle looked better with how my dress laid. Have your seamstress pin your dress and take photos, that should make it easier to narrow down. good luck!
Hmm, guess I should get started on the alterations now so I don’t freak out. I’m worried about gaining weight with grilling and guacamole season right around the corner.
yeah i know just how you feel! mine is also being taken in a lot(2 sizes!!)! which is good, but so scary! i don’t want her to ruin anything but i’m trusting her
Didn’t know there were different kinds of bustles. But I’m loving the “French” one in the photo. Very feminine and flowy.
Thanks for the info about all the bustle options out there - I had no idea!
Oh man, I burst into tears at my last fitting because they just couldn’t get one seam to lay flat and fit right, and it was the most expensive dress I’d ever bought and why couldn’t it be correct?!?!?! Not pretty. Plus I was alone and freaking out the seamstress and there was no one else to calm me down, so I finally had to take off the dress, step outside and call my mom. She did an excellent job of reminding me that it was all ok. And it totally was. But yeah - the stress I was feeling the last 2 weeks before the wedding? Very happy not to be feeling it anymore!
You’ll get through these next days and everything will be awesome!
I didn’t need a bustle (no train!). But I think that the one you picked out looks great-I hope your seamstress can make it look like fantastic!
DD’s dress needs a bustle too and I’m too scared to tackle it since there are so many ways it can be done. Found a picture that looks good and has a waistline similar tohers (and a lttle bit of yours if yours has as deep pleating as the sample pic does)
[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h321/geminidream62/dressshopping019.jpg[/IMG] the back of daughter’s dress
[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h321/geminidream62/z823445.jpg[/IMG] the way we hope her bustle will turn out
Whoa–I had no idea there were so many bustle options. My dress came with a French bustle (which I love). I’ll be sending good fitting juju your way! 20 days till sheer awesome, Brooch!
i’m so stressed about my fitting…and it isn’t until june! the reason is that the sample i tried on was a bit tight in the hips, but MUCH larger in the waste/bust (i’m VERY hourglass). So we went up TWO sizes to give some room in teh bootie, but now I’m really worried that the top will be too big to alter. the ladies at the boutique promised it would work, but i know that INCHES from each side will have to be taken in.
oy vey!
good luck!!
1) I think the top left dress is my dress:) or very close at least- so cool!
2) Make sure your BM and MOH know how to bustle it once you decide. I was a BM in a wedding once and had no idea what we were doing!
3) I feel you. I am so scared. Plus I’m trying to try to lose inches too.
I had some fitting stress too. I forgot to out on my crinolin under my dress until it was already pinned. Everything turned out fine in the end but it was a lot of unneeded stress. btw- CANNOT wait to see what dress you chose!
I love the last bustle its so pretty! Good luck with your fitting I’m sure your seamstress will work her magic and get you that fit you love!
My gown is Sabelle by Maggie Sottero. I am the perfect height (5′9″) to not need any alterations… I just have to arrange the hoop skirt so the dress comes to the right length and the dress has a corset so even if I gain or lose a little weight, we can pull that sucker tight. 
So honestly, no, I’m not stressed about my alterations. My dress is 4300 miles away so there’s not too much I can do about it anyway. My mother put in a french bustle with 5 seams which is supposed to be semi adjustable. We’ll check it one last time a few days before the wedding and she’ll be able to make any alterations needed. Otherwise there are safety pins.
Anyway, what the heck. I’m not worried!
The back of my dress looks similiar to the one you posted, just a little longer.. I had a 5 point French bustle, loops & button down the seams in an almost upside down V. Held up all night long! Just play with it until you get it right. Good luck!!
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Mrs. Brooch, Arlington, VA Age and Occupation: 25, Writer/Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Front Desk Manager Engagement Date: October 3, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2011 Venue: Oxon Hill Manor About Me: I’m an indecisive girlie-girl with a motor mouth, can-do attitude, and knack for making others laugh. I dream of becoming a best selling novelist like Elizabeth Gilbert or Julie Powell (a girl can dream, right?), and love long road trips, a beautiful countryside, music, blogs, books, and all things vintage/thrift/antique/or homemade. I’m a Virgo, i.e. overly sensitive, emotional, and critical, and there’s no such thing as short and sweet in my world. I want to say and do it all. Mr. Brooch grounds me. I point where to go and he figures out the way. He’s a pragmatic fancy-pants who enjoys video games and movies. We both adore our mutt, Rocky, and spending time with our amazingly supportive family and friends. We’re planning a garden wedding with a formal reception with lots of whimsy and unique, Southern-inspired details.
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