All About The Bustle

You know that gorgeous gown you bought? Or the one you’ve been cyber-stalking for months? The one you see yourself getting married in? Yeah, that gorgeous gown. While I’m sure you’ve long-considered the price, the lace, the neckline, have you given much thought to how you’d like it bustled? Your gown will actually spend most of its time in view of your guests bustled, so it’s something that you might want to give a little thought. The info below will give you all sorts of ideas for how to bustle your wedding dress and some photos to help you imagine it.

1.       The only dresses that need to be bustled are those with a train.

If you went with a floor-length gown or shorter, you don’t have to concern yourself with bustling. Get back to your flower arranging! If you’ve chosen a long show-stopper, you’ll definitely want to have a seamstress add a bustle to your gown. She can do this so easily while finishing all of your other alterations. At your fitting she can even show you what each of these bustle styles would look like with your dress, and some seamstresses can draw you a little cheat sheet to give you a reminder of how to bustle it. But with that long train you will definitely want to bustle your gown so that you don’t have guests stepping all over your dress on your big day.

http://www.modwedding.com/2015/10/alessandra-rinaudo-wedding-dresses-2016-collection/

http://www.modwedding.com/2015/10/alessandra-rinaudo-wedding-dresses-2016-collection/

2.       The non-bustling, bustling options.

Yeah, that’s confusing. Let me explain, since a bustle is a particular way of shortening the dress by adding ties or hooks to the back, there are other ways to shorten your dress. Unfortunately, there’s just not a great term for them. So we’ll call them the non-bustling bustling options. You with me?

So here’s the first: carrying your dress over your arm. This is not a great option as it only leaves you with one hand available to hug people, drink, toss your bouquet, etc. I mention it though because it does look incredibly lovely and delicate in photos. Also, you’d need a gown with a crazy long train to be able to do this.

The second option is a wrist tie. This is the little loop that’s sewn into the dress lining that you can hook over one wrist. It creates a beautiful drape to your dress, and most dresses already have them sewn in. The pitfall is that you are having to hoist the weight of your dress’s train all night. It might seem light for half an hour, but if you’re planning on a longer reception, be prepared to have a really sore arm the next day!

http://www.weddingpartyapp.com/blog/2012/11/20/wedding-dress-with-sleeves-lace-gown-bridal-sleeved-dresses/

http://www.weddingpartyapp.com/blog/2012/11/20/wedding-dress-with-sleeves-lace-gown-bridal-sleeved-dresses/

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b6/7f/f6/b67ff69e2d2a7f212880870bc79b89e1.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b6/7f/f6/b67ff69e2d2a7f212880870bc79b89e1.jpg

3.       The American Bustle.

The American bustle is also called the “outer bustle” because the train of your dress is lifted up and attached to the outer side of your dress. Imagine picking a spot in the middle of your train and lifting it up so that the train becomes the same length as the front of your dress. Your seamstress can pick one lift point or several. This style usually gives the dress a little flare in the back.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ba/39/97/ba39978ce9f725e34a68a6a381f23879.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ba/39/97/ba39978ce9f725e34a68a6a381f23879.jpg

https://sparklefriday.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/imgp2153.jpg

https://sparklefriday.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/imgp2153.jpg

4.       The French Bustle.

The French bustle is otherwise known as the “under bustle” because the train is tucked up and tied under the back of your gown. So your seamstress will pick a spot in the middle of your train, push it up and under the fabric above it, and attach it. This gives a kind of pillow-y or folded look in the back with the bottom of the train falling to the floor underneath.

http://theberry.com/2012/03/26/b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-wedding-ideas-34-photos-2/

http://theberry.com/2012/03/26/b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-wedding-ideas-34-photos-2/

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ae/05/63/ae05634aeb70a3b6fdd1d7d01bc09400.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ae/05/63/ae05634aeb70a3b6fdd1d7d01bc09400.jpg

5.       The Ballroom Bustle.

The ballroom bustle is a less popular bustle because it takes quite a bit more work and it often loses the “drama” of the dress. This style is called the “flip under” because your seamstress will put in a row of buttons or ties all along the inside of your dress so that you can button up the train so that your dress looks just like a floor-length gown. All of the train fabric is hidden by buttoning it up on the underside of the dress.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/52/08/ad/5208add195a99148addc492ab777c35e.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/52/08/ad/5208add195a99148addc492ab777c35e.jpg

Wedding Advice From a Recent Bride

Hello! My name is Chelsea. I’m with the events staff here at The Hermitage. I absolutely love working on the weddings here and am so honored I get to be a part of so many. On April 2nd I reversed my usual role and got to be the one walking down the aisle! I had the wedding of my dreams, and I wanted to share my wedding planning experience as a bride with you!

 

Hardest/Easiest Part of Planning

Hardest-

  • Deciding on a general direction- Let’s be honest, there are SO many cool ideas out there. You should have seen my Pinterest board. It was a hodgepodge of beautiful randomness. I didn’t know if I wanted a rustic, boho, or a woodland feel. It just gets overwhelming. I say this to encourage you to sit down with your fiancé and decide on what kind of wedding you want. What kind of feel do you both want? What is representative of you two? Decide on a theme--a point in time, a painting, a movie, something. Find photos for inspiration, get creative, and then run with it.
  • Keeping up with all of the details- Lists will become your best friend. They’ll be on legal pads, post-it notes, voice memos, and the occasional text to yourself. The minor details seem never ending. How do you want your napkins folded? What will you be using for a send-off? Where are guest favors to be placed? The list goes on and on. However, as your big day gets closer the list will get shorter and shorter… I promise!
  • Seeing the big picture- Sometimes it’s difficult to see how everything is going to flow or look together. No matter how many times you layout all of your décor on your living room floor it is still difficult to envision how your guest sign-in table is going to look with linens, flowers, candles, and all. Just relax and trust your planner to have it all come together!

 Easiest-

  • Having a planner do the big stuff- A planner will save you so much time and more importantly, stress! They will make hotel blocks for your out-of-town guests, create all of the floor plans, and will organize the ever so frantic bridal party to make sure everyone walks down the aisle at the right time (That’s some sort of magic if you ask me!). They will also set-up and tear-down all of the décor that you brought. They’re there so you can enjoy your wedding day with your loved ones and not have to run around worrying about the little things. This is the time to focus on yourself and the next step you and your fiancé are about to take, not on how many seconds should pass between each bridesmaid walking down the aisle.
  • Vendor meetings- No need to stress! These are so much fun! Whether you’re trying food, playing with table settings, or talking with a photographer or DJ, this is your time to reveal to them what the wedding of your dreams looks like. Have any questions or possibly odd requests? Do NOT be afraid to ask. You’d be surprised what certain vendors are able to tailor. Let them know what is important to YOU because each bride likes to emphasize different aspects of their wedding.
  • Budgeting (can be stressful, but it is easy when you’re on top of it!)- Don’t be afraid to shop around for vendors and get quotes. Plus, you’ll be able to see who fits your wedding style the best. If I could only give one piece of advice it would be to decide on your top 3 most important parts of your wedding and splurge on those. If you are dreaming of pretty flowers and greens, then do it! There are corners that can be cut in just about every category. And when spending keep everything logged, keep every receipt, and don’t impulse buy. Little things add up quickly and you don’t want to be left with a bunch of unneeded items.
Head Table- Why not sit in throne chairs and drink out of brass goblets?! Oh, and you can't have a royal table without a garland!

Head Table- Why not sit in throne chairs and drink out of brass goblets?! Oh, and you can't have a royal table without a garland!

 

Mistakes I think I made during planning

  • Time management- Do not, I repeat, DO NOT wait until right before the wedding to get “small stuff” done. If I could go back I would have had everything done at least 3- 4 weeks out. But of course I was still making my guest favors the night before…oops! Granted, I didn’t have the help I needed until everyone was in town to help me out, but I did think that I had a lot more done that I actually did. I guess I bit off a little bit more than I could chew. Thankfully, I had some amazing people to help me get everything together without being crazy stressed!
  • Choosing vendors that I really didn’t trust- The bottom line is don’t choose to work with someone if you don’t trust them completely. You will waste time worrying and trying to micromanage what they do. Know that it’s okay NOT to book after a vendor meeting. And don’t just book because they are a family friend or gave you a good deal. You want to trust your vendors in full to provide the best service for your big day!

 

Favorite aspects of your wedding

  • The guests- After plus ones we only had 85 guests and it was PERFECT. Originally we made a long list that included long lost family and friends to people we got to know at our gym. The both of us then sat down and decided that our criteria was that we will not invite anyone that we wouldn’t take out for coffee. Sure, we ended up running into some people that we marked off of our list, but we still had no regrets. It made our wedding intimate, loads of fun, and not to mention cheaper!
  • Make it personal- Do not be afraid to do something different! We started off our ceremony with a “warming of the rings” where our rings were placed inside a wooden box and were passed around for our guests to see and to put their wishes, blessings, and prayers over. I’ve had people continuously commenting how unique and sweet of a gesture it was. And now looking back my fiancé and I are so happy to have been able to involve our loved ones in our ceremony.
Escort Cards- We had table "animals" rather than table numbers. Our guests loved finding out which animal they were going to be at for the night!

Escort Cards- We had table "animals" rather than table numbers. Our guests loved finding out which animal they were going to be at for the night!

 

What I wish I would have known

  • Some little things just don’t matter- At the end of the day it’s about you and your husband. No one is going to remember every little detail. For example, last minute we decided to not drape the doorways at our cocktail hour to save some money. And you know what?  I never caught a glimpse of my cocktail hour! And the while planning the whole time I was very adamant on draping those doorways that I would have never seen. If I knew this little thing wasn’t such a big deal I would have never been so hung up on the drapes (see what I did there). But seriously, focus on the bigger things that you find truly important.
  • How fast it goes by- Oh my, your wedding day is over in a blink of an eye. My final advice would be to enjoy every moment of it and please, please, please if you’re going to splurge on anything, splurge on an amazing photographer! You will have these photos for you to remember this quick, but special day for the rest of your life. Make sure that it is captured in the best way possible. It makes all of the difference.
Table Setting- I love a colored table cloth rather than sticking to a traditional ivory. And I couldn't resist these wooden chargers!

Table Setting- I love a colored table cloth rather than sticking to a traditional ivory. And I couldn't resist these wooden chargers!

Featured Wedding: Arianna & Matt

Arianna and Matt's August wedding at Cabin by the Spring was bursting at the seams with bright colors, personal details, and happy romance! They held their ceremony on the terrace of the Cabin, then moved inside for a Canadian-themed cocktail hour in honor of Matt's family, before dancing the night away in their (air conditioned!) tent. Arianna donned two gorgeous saris during the evening and incorporated beautiful sari fabric into the table decor in honor of her Indian heritage. During the ceremony Arianna and Matt jumped on stage to help the band for a few songs. The bride rocked out on the drums! 

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Lane Photography

Here's a few words from the bride about her big day:

August 8th, 2015 truly was the best day of our lives, to say the least. The planning leading up to our big day was one of the biggest tasks I have taken on: constant emails/texts/calls with my planner Nita of Nashville Event Planning, negotiations with over half a dozen vendors, and a plethora of art projects my now husband willingly helped me with. In addition, we had about 90 people coming to our wedding, about 80 of which were coming from different countries such as Canada, India, USA, Germany, and Haiti, which added a whole other layer of details. Both of our families had a heavy hand in helping the guests with travel plans, as well as the overall planning. 

Our wedding preparation resulted in (literal) blood, sweat and tears from the day we were engaged (October 12, 2014) to the day of our wedding (August 8th, 2015). The day of, it was AMAZING to see all of our hard work pay off with almost no setbacks or mistakes made. Everything I had envisioned came true, thanks to our families, friends, event planners, and vendors. 

One of my favorite moments was walking around during the reception, observing friends and family from around the world all present to celebrate us and our marriage, and seeing people talking and having fun that may never have the chance to meet again. Our wedding was the ultimate dream true, and it showed me that hard work during the planning really did pay off!

Top 10 Wedding Photos of 2015 at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

It's been a banner year for weddings at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage! We were granted the 2015 Couple's Choice Award from WeddingWire and named one of the Top Three Places to Tie the Knot in Tennessee by Wide Open Country! We love the couples who fall in love with the history and beauty of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and decide to let us host their big day. The unique, stunning weddings they create are the stuff of dreams, so we'd love to share our 10 favorite photos from their weddings with you!

10.

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Sarah & Travis tied the knot in early October at the Cabin by the Spring. Their reception in the Cabin was warm and inviting despite the rainy weather.

Photographer: Details Nashville

 

9.

Melissa & Jesse had a charming rustic wedding at the Cabin by the spring this past May. We love this timeless photo of them on the front porch of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. 

Photographer: B & B Photography

 

8.

Lacey & Chris said their vows under one of the beautiful trees in front of the Cabin by the Spring before heading inside to dance the night away. 

Photographer: Justin Wright Photography

 

7.

Kristin & Dylan enjoyed a few private moments together after their ceremony in the Hermitage Church before heading to their reception at the Cabin by the Spring.

Photographer: Jaime Saunders

 

6.

You can't beat the huge smile on Caroline's face while she and husband, Brant, celebrated their first dance! Their romantic tent at Tulip Grove Mansion was breath taking.

Photographer: Lotus Blossoms Photography

 

5.

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Kellie and Alex held their ceremony at the Hermitage Church before taking the horse and carriage to Tulip Grove Mansion for their reception. Their dance floor with string lights created a great atmosphere for such a sweet, loving couple!

Photographer: K.G. Photography

 

4.

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Rachel & Brayden loved the idea of taking some photos as the sun set after their ceremony. We whisked them away on the golf cart to get a few beautiful moments before bring them back to their reception at the Cabin by the Spring.

Photographer: Lauren Hanson

 

3.

Holli and her bridesmaids look like they could be on the cover of a magazine! The gals donned boots for Holli & Michael's wedding on the Hermitage Grounds in October.

Photographer: Cassidy Carson Lynch Photography

 

2.

Stephanie & Alex were over-the-moon about getting married! Their rustic, Americana wedding in the Hermitage Church and the Cabin by the Spring was so unique to their story and style.

Photographer: Abigail Bobo Photography

 

1.

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Molly & Carter had a small winter ceremony in the Hermitage Church. Their Christmas details were gorgeous, but they couldn't hold a candle to this loving couple.

Photographer: Crystal K. Martel Photography

 

We'd like to say thanks to all of the couples who chose Andrew Jackson's Hermitage for their wedding ceremonies and receptions. We're so honored to be part of your big day, and we can't wait to meet all of the couples we'll watch tie the knot in 2016!

+Some wedding photos were not submitted for use.+

Featured Wedding: Caroline & Brant

Tulip Grove Mansion has that graceful, elegant feel that many antebellum Southern homes have, but Caroline and Brant's June wedding really made it shine. After their ceremony at the Woodmont Christian Church, the couple and their guests arrived at The Hermitage for a sweet, Southern reception. 

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

We are crazy about the way the lined the path behind the mansion to the tent with draping and chandeliers! Such a dramatic entrance to the party!

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Such a happy couple! They were all smiles all day long!

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Caroline's flowers were the gorgeous product of The Enchanted Florist. We love the soft pastel combination with the pop of yellow from the container!

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Lotus Blossoms Photography

Lotus Blossoms Photography

Lotus Blossoms Photography

Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

This. was one of the most dramatic tent designs (by Randi Events) we've seen at Tulip Grove Mansion, and the effect is jaw dropping. It was the magical backdrop of a great night

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

I mean, just look at those garlands and chandeliers!

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography

Photo by Lotus Blossoms Photography