wedding gown

Expert Tips: What You Need To Know Before Your Bridal Appointment

Clothes are the story of our lives. And if you were to gather all the clothes you have ever owned in all your life, each baby shoe and winter coat and wedding dress, you would have your autobiography.
— Linda Grant (2010). “The Thoughtful Dresser

We believe the process of discovering your perfect gown should feel like falling in love. We all come to love in our own way and choosing the right gown should mirror that significant experience. We hope that this blog will help ease any dress anxiety you might have and give you the confidence you need to say “YES” to your dream dress.

Woman talking with bridal consultant before her wedding gown appointment.

1.) Consider your wedding date when scheduling your appointment

One of the beautiful benefits in being a Bustle Bride is that all of our dresses are Sample Gowns.  This means that every gown you try-on in the shop is available for you to take home that SAME day - no backordered or delayed gowns here! With all of the supply chain set-backs in the industry, knowing that you will leave with your dream dress in hand is the kind of bliss we all need right now. Keeping your wedding date in mind is also important because you want to allow any extra time needed for alterations.

We want to make scheduling your appointment at Bustle completely stress-free. You can visit our website here to set-up your appointment today.  

2.) Be intentional when selecting your Entourage

Woman trying on wedding gown with bridal consultant.

Your bridal gown appointment is all about YOU. One of the things our bridal experts have learned in their many years of experience is the more you are able to mindfully condense your bridal entourage, the better. The days of needing a crowd of people surrounding you through such a significant decision are over. We have found that intentionally inviting 2-3 of your dearest loved ones makes for an enjoyable day for both the group and bride. We don’t need to tell you that you deserve to feel only love and encouragement on your bridal appointment day - but in case you need to hear it, You deserve to feel immense love and support on your special day. PERIOD.

3.) Don’t exhaust yourself with appointments

You shouldn’t feel pressured to attend more than one bridal appointment in one day. Over the years, scheduling 2-3 appointments in a single day became standard practice and we have seen the stressful effects that has had on our brides. When you are able to give yourself more breathing room, this allows you to make clear decisions that aren’t filled with overwhelmed confusion. By limiting your bridal entourage and the amount of appointments you attend in one day, we promise you will feel empowered to make the decision that is right for you in an unclouded state of mind.

4.) Come to your appointment prepared

The easiest way to feel confident in your bridal appointment is to come prepared. We can always promise you that with Bustle, our sweet stylists are here to make sure you feel comfortable and seen. But, there are a couple things you can do to feel your best on this special day.

Collection of wedding gowns in Bustle Bridal shop.
      • Wear the right undergarments. What you’re wearing underneath the gown matters. We recommend always wearing nude undergarments.

      • Do a little research before hand on what styles you are interested in; but be gentle with yourself. Most often, our brides feel the most stunning in a gown that is completely opposite from what they pinned on their Pinterest board. Knowing what you like, while being open, is the best formula for dress success.

I want people to see the dress but focus on the woman.
— Vera Wang

Bustle Bride: Anna Beth Cross

I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.
— John Green
Anna Beth and David touching noses in bridal photo.

Sometimes the best love stories are the ones that develop over time: like a cadence of notes all working together to craft a melody that stays with you and earnestly becomes your favorite song. Every note is a moment in time that is essential in telling your unique story of love. Each one is equally cherished because it strands together a life song that can then be shared with those around us. Anna Beth and David have created the sweetest of love stories through intention and heartfelt patience. The couple met while working together at a Birmingham-based summer camp called Passport. They spent two summers serving on the same team, but didn't start to form romantic feelings until the second year. Their romance began with genuine friendship and even though their time together took place over two summer seasons, it was effortless for them to pick up where they left off each year and grow closer with every meeting. However, it is a camp rule that you cannot date while on staff, so they had to wait several weeks until camp was over to go on their first date.

As the summer came to a close and autumn began, Anna Beth traveled to Raleigh to stay with a friend. In true hallmark fashion, David had also just moved to Raleigh, so the pair were able to finally go on a date. David planned to pick up Anna Beth after lunch and take a walk through the beautiful Duke Gardens; however, the weather had other plans after a slight torrential downpour. Quickly coming up with an alternate plan, David picked up Anna Beth and took her to a European-style cafe since he knew she loved studying abroad in Europe. They sat in the sweet little cafe for over three hours and never ran out of things to talk about. The pair ate dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, Tazza Kitchen, and ended the evening by going to see a movie. While their first date sounds like a pretty classic course of events, the 11 hours they spent with each other on that rainy afternoon was the start of a beautiful life that they would share together.

Anna Beth's wedding stationary and bridal details.

Anna Beth knew David was “the one” because of the unshakable friendship they had cultivated in their summers together. This friendship quickly became the most sincere alliance that would set the foundation for their love story.

It was evident that we quickly became best friends and each other’s person, even after dating long distance for two years. Our daily FaceTimes and monthly visits helped make it clear this relationship was meant to last and something special. Also, seeing him with my family made it clear that he was meant to be part of me forever.
— Anna Beth

Bustle’s sweet store owner, Meredith, had the wonderful opportunity to help Anna Beth choose her dream wedding gown. Everything about Anna Beth’s dress spoke to her: the style, shape, color, fabric, the open back. EVERY aspect of her gown was exactly what she pictured in her mind for so long. Anna Beth’s gown is a beautiful Allure fit and flare with a gorgeous v-neck. 

Anna Beth sharing a first look with her bridal party.
Meredith did a great job helping me find the perfect dress without pressuring me into something I didn’t want. I’m so glad I got my dress from Bustle!
— Anna Beth
Anna Beth spending time with her bridal party before the ceremony.

One of Anna Beth’s favorite aspects of her wedding was watching their loved ones come together as vendors for their special day. Seeing each of them play such significant roles reminded Anna Beth and David how incredibly loved they are. Anna Beth’s aunt, her friend, and many of her cousins arranged the florals for their wedding, giving her the autumnal garden of her dreams. Most of the greenery came from Anna Beth’s family farm which added an even more sentimental touch.

Just in case this wedding isn’t already the sentimental work of our cinematic dreams, the couple’s camp coordinator officiated their ceremony and made everyone feel right at home.  Their loved ones set the scene from beginning to end by personally designing their wedding invitations and acting as instrumentalists and vocalists to set the mood for the day. (Where is the tissue box?) Anna Beth’s dear friend, Jenny Dansby, helped keep the day together by stepping up as the day-of coordinator. A wedding day is so much more than the love between a couple. Seeing that love radiate and spread from family and friends is a reminder that a full life is meant to be shared.

Anna Beth and her bridal party holding their beautiful colorful bouquets.
My favorite memory from our wedding day was seeing all of our people in one place, my hometown. David is from Virginia but lives in North Carolina and I’m from Birmingham but lived in Texas. We also worked camp in many states, so seeing all of our people from various places and stages of life in one room to celebrate us was so special. We cherished getting to see and dance our hearts out with everyone we love!
— Anna Beth
Anna Beth and David with their wedding party.
Anna Beth and David on the dance floor with wedding guests during their reception.
Anna Beth hugging her bridesmaid on the dance floor.

VENDORS:

Dress: Bustle

Suits: Men's Wearhouse

Photographer: Allison Naylor Photography

Venue: The Barn at Shady Lane

Cakes: The P'Pool's Bakehouse

Flowers: Beth Edwards and Jenny Loughridge

Day-Of Coordinator: Threefold Events (Jenny Dansby)

DJ: Disco Hristo (Chris Sarris)

H&MU: H+MU by Nat (Natalie Moore)

Caterer: Happy Catering Company

Invitation Suite (plus design for cups, napkins, koozies, & signs): Lauren Brawley Creative

Rehearsal Dinner Venue: The Up & Up at McLellan's

Bustle Team

Bustle started 8 years ago this August, and since then we have grown and changed a great deal. As we’ve added to our numbers, we knew we had to introduce our Shop and Media team to you. The Bustle Team is the heart of our business, and we are so excited for you to meet everyone!

Meredith Carter - I’m the creator and owner of Bustle. Friends often ask how Bustle was started and it really is sort of funny - I was at a Birthday dinner when a friend and I started talking about what I wanted to do with my career. She threw out the idea of opening a bridal shop, which had never even crossed my mind. Her comment spiked my curiosity so I did a little digging. At the time, Tiny Weddings Bham had a space in Bluff Park that they allowed me to share with them. It was really only a matter of weeks from that birthday dinner that we opened Bustle’s doors to sell “pre-loved wedding gowns” or, dresses that had been altered and cleaned. We transitioned a few years ago to exclusively selling new or sample wedding gowns off-the-rack. This is the perfect fit for Bustle because it allows us to sell gorgeous, designer gowns at a fraction of the cost. When I’m not at Bustle, you’ll probably find me at my brother’s house watching Tiny Kitchen with their 3 year old!

Cherry DeRosa — I’ve worked at Bustle as a bridal consultant for an amazing 8 years! Meredith (my daughter) had a vision for a bridal shop, and she opened Bustle within 4 months. I joined her and I’ve had such fun meeting sweet brides over the years. When I’m not working at Bustle I’m spending time with my grand babies — that’s the best! I also enjoy sitting at an outdoor restaurant sipping a cappuccino, or having dinner with my husband or shopping at At Home in Homewood.

Jessica Hammock — I’ve worked as a bridal consultant at Bustle for the past 6 years. I started working at Bustle after I purchased my wedding gown from Bustle and instantly loved Meredith and the shop! When I’m not working I’m spending time with my husband Jamey and our two sons, Levi (3) and Oliver (almost 1). I love sweets — two of my favorite places to visit are Hero Donuts and Big Spoon Creamery.

McKinley Landen— I’ve been a bridal consultant at Bustle for 2 years and I love helping brides find their perfect dress! I came to Bustle to shop for my own wedding dress and I enjoyed the experience so much. I am a full-time therapist, so I wanted something light and fun to do on the side. I have loved being able to serve brides. When I’m not working I love spending time with my husband and our two pups. We love going to Local No. 39 in Homewood — they have the best sweet tea chicken sandwiches and a fun environment!

Julianne Dean - I just started as a bridal consultant at Bustle and I’ve had so much fun helping brides find their dream wedding gowns so far! I own a balloon styling company called For Love and Loons so when I’m not at Bustle I am usually decorating different events. I also love going shopping and getting brunch with the girls. My favorite local Birmingham restaurant is VINO for amazing food, wine and art.

Lily Willis — I am new to the Bustle team and just started as a bridal consultant. I followed Bustle on Instagram and wanted to be a part of this sweet environment, especially because I had shopped here before and knew how special it was. When I’m not working at Bustle I’m most likely studying. I’m a full-time student and currently completing my Dietetic Internship and Masters of Science at Samford (I graduate in December), and then I hope to work in clinical nutrition. In my free time, ideally I would be outside by the pool or eating at my favorite restaurant, The Essential.

Laine White — I’m the Media Director for Bustle, so I get to curate our social media feed, plan photoshoots and giveaways and collaborate with my friend Claire. I am most often with my little girl, Rowan who was born in January of this year. She is quite the adventure and my husband, Tucker, and I have enjoyed every moment of parenting her so far. I also work as a manager at Breakout Birmingham and for the Breakout Games marketing team. When I’m not working you might find me at my favorite bagel shop, Homewood Bagel Company, or at Seeds Coffee.

Claire Jackson — I’m the blog manager and marketing assistant at Bustle, so I get to do fun photo shoots, write blogs, and collaborate with Laine on ideas for social media. I got my wedding dress at Bustle, and I just loved the people and the atmosphere here. I’m so glad I’ve been able to work here 3.5 years so far! I’ve also started doing real-estate photography which I really enjoy. I spend much of my time hanging with my one year old daughter, Eleanor and my husband Daniel, and we have a little boy on the way! You might also find strolling around a garden or plant shopping (my favorite is Shoppe in downtown Bham) or having coffee and pastries outside at Continental Bakery.

Expert Tips for Your Dress Shopping Experience

You’ve just said “YES” to the man of your dreams, now it’s time to find the perfect gown. If you've ever seen "Say Yes To The Dress," you've seen some super stressed brides and gown shopping horrors. Here are a few quick tips to keep your day stress-free.

Real Bustle bride, Trina Cobb Ware. Photo courtesy of Jett Walker Photography.

1. Make an Appointment

Making an appointment with a wedding gown salon is just as important as scheduling an appointment with your doctor - you would never just pop-in on your dermatologist, right?

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Making an appointment allows the salon to prepare for you. They’ll be expecting you on the decided date and time and your consultant will be able to focus entirely on you. Without an appointment, there may not be anyone available to show you dresses - yikes! 

Okay, so you’ve made an appointment. Don’t get caught up in the moment and make 3 appointments for the same day. If you don’t find your dress at the first salon, then go ahead and make second appointment. Decision exhaustion is real - your brain can't handle looking at too many dresses in one day!

2. Know Your Budget

Knowing the dress budget before the first appointment will relieve so much stress. I PROMISE.

If you are paying for the gown, do some research and come up with a number both you and your fiancé are comfortable with.

If someone else is paying, have a conversation before your appointment. This may be uncomfortable initially, but totally worth it in the end. If you know the budget is $2,000, you won't need to wonder if you should try the $3,000 gown in the window!

Consider accessories and alterations. Go ahead and budget for accessories such as a veil or earrings. Most brides need some amount of alterations on their dress, even if it’s just a hem, so make sure your budget has some wiggle room!

3. Limit Your Entourage

It may be best to leave the big party for the wedding day and other bridal festivities. Too many opinions during your appointment can be overwhelming and confusing.

You’ll be the one wearing the gown when you say “I do,” so it’s important to bring only those whose opinions you trust and who encourage you to find the dress that makes you feel the most beautiful.

4. Have an Open Mind

So, you've probably been adding photos to your wedding dress Pinterest board for years. That's ok! In fact, it’s a great idea to do some research on different styles and fabrics to find what you like before your first appointment. However, it’s equally important that you go into each appointment with an open mind. It's not uncommon to fall in love with a dress that you never even imagined trying on!

5. Don't Be Afraid to Say, "Yes!"

Most likely you'll be able to find a dress you love at every bridal salon you waltz into. That being said, it’s okay to find "the one" at your very first appointment! Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking you need to try on every gown in the city before you can decide. It’s actually pretty common for brides to purchase one of the first dresses they try on when working with an experienced bridal consultant.

So, when you find a gown you love, stop looking and say, "YES!"

Real Bustle bride, Emily Brooks Hamby. Photo courtesy of Sweet Julep Photography.

Bustle is a bridal salon nestled in Homewood, Alabama providing a high-end shopping experience to style-savvy brides on a budget. Bustle specializes in designer sample wedding gowns straight off the rack. Visit Bustle's website to learn more!

Bustle Bride: Rebecca Atkinson Strickland

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Rebecca Atkinson and Whit Strickland first met in September 2018 on a blind date set up by her aunt and his mom! Rebecca was a substitute teacher at the elementary school where Whit’s mom, Emily, worked as a librarian, and Rebecca’s aunt, Paula, often volunteered. Emily and Paula, who were good friends, decided to play matchmaker and set them up on a date when Whit moved home to Birmingham, AL. Turns out Whit was open to the idea and he called Rebecca to make plans for their first date!

Whit and Rebecca Strickland were married May 2nd, 2020 in Birmingham, AL. Because of COVID-19 they had to forgo their big wedding plans, and instead, had an intimate ceremony with their closest family. Rebecca said, “The only guests in attendance at our wedding were our parents, one of my maids of honor, and my aunt.” Despite the change of plans, Rebecca said their wedding day could not have been more wonderful. “As much as I would have loved to have all of our original guests there, it ended up being absolutely perfect. There was no stress, nothing felt rushed, and everything just went so smoothly. It truly just felt like the whole day was all about us and we were able to focus on what really mattered.”

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As difficult as 2020 was at times, it will
always hold some of the sweetest and most
beautiful memories for us.
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One of Rebecca’s most cherished memories of the day came at the end of the ceremony. All of their original guests had been given a Zoom link so they could watch the wedding live and still be a part of the Stricklands’ special day. “After the ceremony was finished, our photographer (Jessa Torres) asked us to go to the front of the church so that we could take some pictures there. When we got out there we started to take pictures, and then we saw a line of cars coming towards the church. One of my bridesmaids had set up a surprise car parade for our guests to show their support and make us feel loved.” Since their bridesmaids and groomsmen weren’t able to attend the wedding in person, some of them decided to meet together in a nearby parking lot to watch the wedding together on their phones, then they joined the parade! The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered their wedding plans, but it was still a perfect day for the Stricklands.

Rebecca reflected, “I think sometimes people get caught up in all of the planning that goes into a wedding, and when the big day finally comes they aren’t able to fully enjoy it all because there is so much going on. I’m so thankful for the way that everything ended up playing out that day. As difficult as 2020 was at times, it also will always hold some of the sweetest and most beautiful memories for us.”

Congratulations, Whit and Rebecca Strickland! We wish you all the best in your marriage.

Photos by Jessa Torres

Florals by Michelle Wright

Bustle Bride: April Miller Atchley

We're so excited to kick off the new year, and to celebrate 2018 we have the sweetest new Bustle Bride! April met her now husband during their freshman year at Samford University. John Kelly says it was then that his crush on April started, but it wasn't until a year later when he asked her on a date, and the rest is history. April and John Kelly said, "I do," on a beautiful September day in North Carolina.

April has the most genuine heart and the sweetest spirit to match, and we so loved helping her find her dream dress! She looked absolutely stunning on her special day in her Anne Barge tulle ballgown with a beaded lace bodice. Also, her lovely bridesmaids wore the champagne Eliza & Ethan multi-wrap gowns that we carry in store! 

It’s hard to narrow it down to one thing, the whole day felt like an absolute dream. Aside from marrying my best friend, the dance floor is high on the list and maybe only second to having everyone we love and treasure all in one room celebrating with us. At one point we took a moment to look around at all the faces around us and let it sink in. Joy does not even begin to describe how we felt!

Vendors:

Venue: Charlotte Country Club

Photographer: Christine LeGrand Photography 

Flowers: Tina Bondurant 

Wedding dress & Bridesmaid Dresses: Bustle

DJ: Mike at Split Second Sound

Bustle Bride: Lauren Sullivan Wright

It's a new week, and we have a new bride to feature -  Lauren Sullivan Wright! Lauren married the man of her dreams, Drew, on June 3 at Brookwood Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL.

Lauren and Drew have the sweetest love story, which you should read from Lauren herself...

"Drew and I were set up on a blind date.  His cousin's mother-in-law works with my mother at The Blue Willow and they played matchmaker (without my knowledge) and then surprised me next time I walked into the store asking me if I wanted to go on a date with him.  I said yes and he called me that night and set up our first date at Starbucks for the following Monday.  When I walked up to him at Starbucks, Drew stood from his seat and, unfortunately, his feet got tangled under the legs of the table. He tripped and said, 'Well that was smooth. Hey, I'm Drew!' Because of that, he likes to say he fell for me the first time he saw me."

Lauren has the most genuine personality, and we loved helping her find the perfect gown for her special day! She said "yes" to a beautiful Paloma Blanca ballgown with a strapless draped bodice with ribbon at the waist, and an organdy ruffle skirt with sweep train.

My favorite part of the wedding day was walking out of the ceremony, driving to the Club, and then having a few minutes with Drew to catch our breath and eat some snacks before we went into the reception. I was so happy to finally be able to call Drew my husband and have a few moments alone with him to reflect over the day and relax. It was also a relief to know all the pre-ceremony festivities and the actual ceremony had gone according to plan!

Vendors:

Photographer: Rachel Coffey Photography

Ceremony Venue: Brookwood Baptist Church

Reception Venue: The Club

Flowers: Bronwyn Cardwell

Wedding Hair: Micah Hooten

Band: Jimmy Allen and the Reminder Band

Cake: Magic Muffins

Invitations: Fine Paperwork

Menswear: Mr. Burch Formal Wear

Bustle Bride: Taylor Lindsey Bruin

Taylor Lindsey Bruin is our newest addition of Bustle Brides, and we couldn't be happier! Taylor and her husband Chris said "I do," while surrounded by mountains on June 24th on a breathtaking ranch in Jackson Hole, WY where the sweet couple first met! 

Taylor and Chris met in Jackson Hole shortly after she moved there for a job. She did not plan on meeting anyone while she lived there, but Chris introduced himself one of her first weeks at Cornerstone Church, and they seemed to have the same interests. "Before you knew it, I was falling hard for this guy!" He lived in Idaho Falls, so they would see each other on the weekends. They spent nearly every weekend camping, hiking, or exploring in the mountains as this was something they both loved to do. In December, Chris planned an incredible proposal at the top of a mountain in Salt Lake City, where both of their families were hiding out, and Taylor said yes!

Taylor was an absolute dream in her Olia Zavozina a-line lace gown, and we can't get over the photos from her big day - even horse jumped in their photoshoot which made for some truly majestic photos!

My favorite part of the wedding was having everyone from all the different stages of our lives come together in one place. Everyone that said they wanted to visit us was able to come out and see Jackson Hole and celebrate with us. Our church community in Jackson Hole really pitched in to help everything come together, and the whole day was a representation of the gospel at work. It was easily the best day of our lives for so many reasons, and we are so thankful to be on this journey of marriage together!

Bustle Bride: Laura Matthews Barman

Laura Matthews Barman and her husband, Michael, began their forever together earlier this year on a beautiful day in March! Laura's favorite moment from her big day was after the ceremony, "Our venue set up dinner in the bridal suite for just the two of us. It was a special time to slow down and enjoy our first few moments as husband and wife."

We are so thankful to be able to dress Laura from head to toe! She looked oh so beautiful in her Alvina Valenta lace v-neck gown which she paired with a blush veil with silver trim which complimented her bridal look perfectly!

Michael and I met when I was visiting our mutual friend Mallory in Atlanta for the weekend. The charmer that he is, Michael asked for my number and ended up visiting me in Birmingham the next weekend. I never thought we would end up doing long distance for almost 5 years, but it was definitely worth it.

Vendors:

Photography: Sweet Julep Photography

Venue: Mathews Manor

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Hair and Makeup Artist: Danielle Ivy

Groom's Attire: Men's Warehouse

Catering, Cake, & Floral: Mathews Manor

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Calligraphy: Bess Booth

Ring Boxes: End Grain Wood Shoppe

Signage: RosaLilla and Flora South Designs

Videography: Woodnote Media

Bustle Bride: Mary Claire Crane Ansley

Today we're featuring Bustle bride Mary Claire Crane Ansley! It's a special day for Mary Claire and her hubby Hunter because today is their 1 year anniversary! This time last year they were saying "I do," at the timeless Old Car Heaven where they began their happily ever after. 

Mary Claire and Hunter met while on a blind date, and she knew he was the one. "He was my first kiss, first date, and first boyfriend. I immediately knew I couldn't see myself being with anyone else because we worked so well together, and it was like he already belonged in our family."  Mary Claire and Hunter and their son John Taylor make the sweetest family, and they looked oh so perfect on their special day!

Mary Claire was absolutely breathtaking in her strapless organza gown by Watters. She was such a joy to have in our store, and we're so thankful we had the opportunity to help her find her dream gown!

My favorite part of my wedding day was finally getting to see Hunter. I was so nervous and I just knew when I finally got the first look over with we could spend time together before the ceremony and make jokes (which is 90% of our conversations) and just talk to each other to get our minds off of being in front of so many people.  Another favorite was getting to see John Taylor in his wedding outfit. He’d just learned to walk a few weeks before so his legs were still super chunky and he was so excited to see me in a big dress. It was a very laid back day and couldn’t have been more perfect.

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception: Old Car Heaven

Catering: Teresa's Catering

Cake: Magnificent Cakes

Photography: Sarah-Peyton Green Photography

DJ & Lighting: B. Brian