Bustle Bride: Ruth Allison Griffin

Ruth Allison and Scott’s meet cute was something out of our Grey’s Anatomy dreams. Scott, living in his own kind of McDreamy energy, was in Residency at UAB while Ruth Allison was giving every ounce of herself to her patients as an ICU nurse.

““We were friends for a while then at the work Christmas party at Carrigan’s we decided to finally go on a real date!””

— Ruth Allison

From the beginning Scott had an effortless way of taking Ruth Allison’s inner child by the hand and leading them both into an easy way of serendipity. Their first date was a celebration of that youth, an evening filled with genuine laughter and wholesome interest. 

““We went to the Birmingham Bulls hockey game! It was laid back and fun with hot dogs and french fries for dinner and then we sang to a mixed CD from the high school era all the way home—what a fun throwback!””

— Ruth Allison

The nostalgic music that filled the car on that first date quickly became a foreshadowing scene to what would look like forever. Ruth Allison knew Scott was the one after sharing their love for song.

““When we started singing together, it just felt right.””

— Ruth Allison

Their time together quickly became the melodic jingle that Ruth Allison couldn’t get out of her head. The seamlessness of their aligning outlook on life gave Allison the undeniable reassurance that they would never want to live without each other. 

““I never wanted to live in this life without him. When you know, you know!” ”

— Ruth Allison

It’s no secret that Ruth Allison’s wedding gown was one of our favorites. When this beauty of a dress arrived in the shop, the Bustle girls couldn’t help but dream about who would be the bride that would dawn this gown for their special day. When Ruth Allison tried on our beloved gown, everyone in the room knew it was meant for her.

““{I loved} Every. Single. Thing. It was classic, timeless, modern, modest but also flattering. It was perfect for a church wedding. My mother’s dress had a bow on the back of hers as well. I love that mine captured that sentiment.””

— Ruth Allison

It was no surprise to us that a couple who embodied such true connection would prioritize that intimacy throughout their wedding. When we asked Ruth Allison what moment stood out to her the most, her answer had us looking for the nearest tissue box. 

““It’s hard to narrow it down because there wasn’t one thing we didn’t love about that day. I think our favorite part was our first look and private vows. It was special and intimate. We felt like after that we actually got to spend our entire wedding day together and we wouldn’t want to spend it any other way. Of course the dancing was our second favorite! The band was so worth it!””

— Ruth Allison

Menswear Suits: Mens Warehouse

Wedding Planner: Engaged Wedding Library

Photographer/Videographer: Eric & Jamie photography

Venue: church: Redeemer Community Church ; Reception-The Fennec

Cakes: Telia Johnson Cakes

Flowers: Susan Milner Designs

H&M: hair- Molly Gee Webster with Molly Gee & Co. and Paige Goodwin (Salon U)

Makeup- Bride did her own!

Caterer: In-house catering with The Fennec

THE BEST PLACE TO FIND AN EASTER DRESS IN BIRMINGHAM: CLOVER AND BEE

If you’re like us, you probably also just remembered that Easter is around the corner and you STILL have NOTHING to wear—oopsie daisy! Do not fret, dear reader, you don’t have to go on any easter egg hunts for this info.

At Bustle, we help guide you into the wedding dress of your dreams. We know how valuable it is to create meaningful connections with you. It’s our biggest desire to introduce you to our remarkable gowns while making you feel at home—comfortable and treasured. Needless to say, our expectations are high when it comes to local boutiques. Clover + Bee checks every box effortlessly!

““Whether it’s the perfect fit, a unique accessory, the ideal gift, or a memorable connection, we hope you feel like one lucky girl when you visit us at our boutique in Birmingham, AL.””

— CLOVER + BEE

Formally known as Cradle + Bee, this local treasure trove sits pretty in the heart of Cahaba Heights in Birmingham, AL. Clover + Bee is a burst of color, waiting to give you your daily dose of serotonin. This boutique is INSPIRED floor to ceiling. Every little corner filled with something that will make you smile—so whole-heartedly happy.

““We consider ourselves truly lucky to have you as our customer, and our personal service is designed to let you know how special you are to us. You can expect a welcoming environment, attentive service, and a genuine smile from everyone on our team.””

— CLOVER + BEE

Our Bustle girls took a stroll around the shop and fawned over all their new inventory. If you are still in need of an Easter dress, they truly have something for EVERY style. From clean lines and classic silhouettes, to whimsical color palettes and trendsetting styles, they have it all.

Their staff is so incredibly kind and welcoming. We felt so taken care of from the time we walked in.

You really need to visit Clover + Bee to experience it yourself! You can visit their website here, or check out their instagram for all the latest updates.

Crafting with Claire: Valentines Day Gift Basket

Tis the season for heart-shaped everything—from candy boxes to cereal bowls, pink and red have officially covered the grocery stores shelves like a blanket of “he loves me..he loves me not.” Personally, I thrive for the vday aesthetic. It’s playful and often the kind of romance I once wrote about in a 9th grade journal. It’s pink fuzzy hearts and swirly cursive handwriting personified. Valentines Day isn’t meant to be fussy. The best part about the whole holiday is getting a green light from society to be inexplicably cheesy. 

Our resident Pinterest golden girl, Claire Jackson, has successfully put us in a lovestruck daze by pulling together a beautiful (and majorly affordable) Valentines Gift Basket. She took to the shelves of Dollar Tree to build a basket worthy of all the vday praise—complete with a softball-sized HERSHEY’S KISS. Let this be your sign to get creative and genuinely have fun putting together something for your special someone. The gifts that mean the most are often the ones without the big price tag.

Claire Jackson is such a refreshing part of our Bustle family. When she isn’t wowing us with her endearing creativity, she is spending time with her sweet husband, Dan, and their two precious children, Eleanor and Henry.

And not that you really need a reason to watch a sappy movie that will make you feel things, but we think Valentines Day is the perfect excuse to cry or laugh at your TV with the ones you love. We’ve put together a little list of our favorite flicks of the season. Whether you’re cuddling on the couch with your sweetheart or sharing a big bowl of popcorn with your best girls, we hope your Valentines Day is filled with sincere love. Soulmates come in all shapes and sizes <3

1.) You People

2.) Valentines Day

3.) Crazy Rich Asians

4.) The Notebook

5.) 50 First Dates

6.) Sleepless in Seattle

7.) 10 Things I Hate About You

8.) First Wives Club

9.) Portrait of a Lady on Fire

10.) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

To Veil or Not to Veil? | Why We Love Them!

Did you know that wedding veils go back to ancient Greek and Roman times? While the symbolism of this timeless accessory has absolutely evolved over the last couple-thousand years, we are still swooning over the beauty of this tradition. But, let’s get real—WHY should you consider wearing one? Are they worth the extra money and effort? We happen to think so for several reasons, and here’s why!

But FIRST, did you know that veils come in just about any length AND that every length has a special name? We love how no matter the details of your day, there is a veil for every bride.

Birdcage 12-18″

This veil is a vintage calling card—STUNNING yet understated. You can wear it by covering the face down to the chin or swept to the side for a more striking look.

Blusher 30″

This veil is probably what most would picture when you talk about a “traditional” wedding veil. Dawning a short, single layer worn over a bride’s face as she walks down the aisle, later pulled back by her betrothed—simple and romantic.

Shoulder-Length 20″

Maybe your gown has a PHENOMENAL back that you don’t want to cover up, but you also don’t want to sacrifice the drama of a veil—then a shoulder-length veil is for YOU. This length is perfect for laying gently over your shoulders without covering one of your favorite parts of your gown.

Elbow-Length 32″

Since this veil falls at your elbows, it is the perfect style to complement a ball gown (or any gown with a voluminous skirt) because of where the veil ends and the skirt begins. We love the silhouette of this look.

Fingertip 38-40″

This veil is ideal for those who really want to dip their toes (or fingers, lol) into dramatic territory without the fuss. While this veil is a bit longer, it doesn’t hide your dress—universally being one of the most beloved styles.

Knee-Length 48″

Knee-length veils are your “it girl” if you want to wear a long veil, but also keep it on throughout your reception. The length screams “I AM THE MOMENT” while still being short enough that you aren’t tripping over it through your reception—no dancing will be harmed at the hands of this veil.

Floor-Length 72″

Our stylists love floor-length veils! They really love the idea of this veil for brides that maybe don’t have a long train on their gown. That way, the veil can gently graze the floor in place of a train—giving you the wow-factor in the back.

Chapel 90″

This veil is DRAMA in all the best ways. While this length is not for those who want a no-fuss situation, it is absolutely perfect for brides who want to feel like the main character in a fairytale (major royal wedding vibes).

Cathedral 108-120″

The Cathedral veil is the veil of ALL veils. This theatrical wonder is both traditional and awe-inspiring. Perfect for those with grand venues or long wedding aisles—be prepared for audible gasps from your guests in this type of veil!

Veils are GORGEOUS in photos!

It’s pretty hard to deny that veils are a sure-fire way to look editorial in your wedding photos. You cannot replace the drama of a beautiful veil gently blowing in the wind while you are kissing the love of your life.

Veils are a beautiful way to incorporate an Heirloom

This sentimental accessory can easily be passed down through generations. We love the idea that you could wear a piece of your history in such an effortless way—No need for costly alterations and reconstructions!

A veil can TRANSFORM your look—giving you two look options for your big day!

The best part about fashion is there are NO rules. Just because you want a veil for dramatic gasps at the ceremony and cinematic pictures, doesn’t mean you have to be tied down to it all night. Make your fashion choices work for you! So many brides dawn a veil during their ceremony and then switch up their look by removing it for their reception.

This may be the only time in your life when you get the opportunity to wear a veil!

We think it’s important to consider that for a lot of people, this may be the only instance in your life where you can wear a veil. For so many of our brides, the veil is the crowning jewel of a perfect gown. This moment is one you have romanticized for most of your life—why not do it big and live out your dreams?

Did you know we specifically offer veil appointments at Bustle? We can help guide you into the perfect veil whether you’ve sad “YES!” to your dress or not—You can visit this link here to schedule an appointment!

What NOT To Do Before Your Bridal Appointment

We recently watched one of our FAVORITE romcoms of all time, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, and if there is ANYTHING to be learned from that emotional circus, it’s the fact that knowing what NOT to do in any given situation speaks volumes. There are few things that sting worse than reflecting back on a moment where you went into something blind and wish that you could go back and try again—WHY can’t we all just have a pretty little do-over button?

This blog is here for you so you don’t have to mentally rewind your bridal appointment, wishing you could do things different.

Your wedding season is TOO SHORT to be stressed over every tiny detail!

TIP #1 - Don’t schedule too many appointments in one day

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—talk about DECISION FATIGUE. Scheduling multiple bridal appointments in one day is a lot like trying to navigate that mile-long menu at Cheesecake Factory. TOO MANY CHOICES is a real thing. 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 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.

Tip #2 - Don’t come to your appointment in the wrong undergarments

What you’re wearing underneath the gown in your appointment matters. We recommend wearing skin colored undergarments with a smooth texture. That way, the gowns you try-on will look seamless and will give you the best foundation to make a decision that you are confident with. Avoid undergarments that are not your skin tone with a lot of lace.

Tip #3 - Don’t let ANYONE pressure you into a gown that isn’t you

While it should be a given that what you choose to wear on your wedding day should be YOUR CHOICE, for many brides it doesn’t always feel that way. It’s not a foreign feeling to have pressure from your family or friends to pick a dress that just isn’t you. We ESPECIALLY don’t want that pressure to ever come from your bridal consultant. At Bustle, we solidify a commitment to always being there to guide you into a gown that brings every bit of the magic that you deserve. As hard as it can be to fight the feeling to please everyone else on such a big day, please remember all these people are here to celebrate YOU finding one of the most beautiful opportunities life has to offer—love.

For more in-depth tips on managing good mental health during the wedding planning process, you can visit our blog here—we sat down with local therapists, McKinley and Melanie, and they gave us some much needed tips on keeping up the mindfulness.

To book your bridal appointment with us, you can visit this link here. We can’t wait to meet you!

In The Shop October 2022!

It’s been a while since we shared a blog post specifically to swoon over some of our favorite wedding gowns. The Bustle bridal shop is often a front door for our team to escape. With a step inside this enchanted closet, we let reality wait in the parking lot for a few hours. If you open a window, some blissful serotonin might find its way out. Each rack is a cadence of texture and softness - a complete dream. A reminder that celebrating love and art will always leave a gentle space for effortless wonder.

“We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality. We create it to be able to stay.”

— Lynda Barry

We would love nothing more than to have you in our shop so you can experience this simple magic for yourself. If you are interested in booking a bridal appointment with one of our consultants, you can schedule that appointment here.

SEE YOU SOON <3

Join Us for a Dress Appointment at Bustle

At Bustle, we want your dress shopping experience to feel special and catered to you. We know how easy it is to get overwhelmed at the thought of dress shopping for the first time. Sometimes the anxious feelings of what to expect in your appointment can be a voice that is hard to silence. We want to take you along with us on a bridal appointment so you can get a peek into what this experience is like at Bustle - no worries, no pressure, just magic. As always, if you have any questions or concerns that are not covered in this blog, please don’t hesitate to send us a message. We want your experience with us to be as effortless as falling in love with your special someone.

1.) Schedule an Appointment

We want to make scheduling your bridal appointment as stress free as possible. You can easily book your appointment by visiting our website here and following the prompts. Our bridal suites are intimate and allow enough room for the bride to bring up to 4 guests. 

2.) Share your vision with your consultant for your special day

Your Bustle stylist is here to make your dress dreams a reality. Our consultants have hours of training on the art of all things wedding gowns. They will listen to your vision so they can pull dresses that you would expect and some that you might not have seen coming. Often times, our brides say “YES” to a gown that is totally different from their original ideas. Our consultants’ job is to make sure YOU are the best thing about your wedding dress.

3.) Relax as your consultant thoughtfully pulls dresses for you to try on

Our collection of gowns is a bridal wonderland! Each consultant has spent intentional time getting acquainted with every gown. We love to take in all of the beautiful details and are trained to give you the best fit possible. Each dress is a unique work of art ready for its muse (i.e. YOU). While you sit comfortably in our relaxing bridal suite, your stylist will pull gowns for you to try. Everything about this process is purposely crafted for you.

If you are curious on what you can do to best prepare for your dress appointment, visit our in-depth blog post here! 

4.) Take your beautiful gown home the SAME DAY you purchase it

One of the BEST parts of our shop is that every dress in our collection is a sample gown. When you say “YES” to your dream dress, you get to take that beauty home with you that same day! No anxious waiting, no hiccups, just you and the dress that you can’t get enough of.

If you want a closer look into what it means to buy a sample gown, visit our blog post on Sample Gowns here!

To book your appointment, visit our website here! We can’t wait to see you.

Birmingham's Only Sample Gown Shop

So it begins, wedding planning is in full swing. As both your to-do list and excitement grow, the time has come to start the beloved google search for local bridal boutiques. With each click you feel yourself getting lost in the pool of wedding dress shopping options. SO. MANY. DRESS. SHOPS. We hope this blog can help you get to know our bridal gown shop and what makes it special. 

We’ve found that not all of our clients know Bustle is the ONLY all Sample Gown shop in Birmingham. What does that mean? We’re glad you asked!

Sample Wedding Gowns are dresses that have been tried on by brides but never actually altered or purchased. At a traditional bridal shop, brides will try on sample gowns and order their dress in a different color or size. But, what happens when the sample gowns run their course?

The act of seeking out the sample gowns in our shop reminds me a lot of the movie National Treasure. And if that’s the case, our intuitive shop owner is the Nicholas Cage of the wedding world. She puts so much intention in seeking out and selecting the gallery of gowns we have in the shop. Each gown is incredibly special in their own way. There are a multitude of reasons why shopping sample gowns at our shop is a wonderful choice. Below we will highlight some of our favorite reasons!

1. COST

At Bustle, EVERY gown is under $3,000. Buying a sample gown means that you will get the designer of your dreams at quite literally a fraction of the cost. We know the anxious feelings that can come when visiting a bridal boutique for the first time without knowing how many gowns will be available in your budget. It’s nerve-racking and uncomfortable. When you visit Bustle, you can breathe deep knowing that every gown is set at a price that is accessible for every bride.

2. SUSTAINABILITY

It’s no secret that buying second hand is an amazing way to reduce waste and cut costs. If wearing a used gown isn’t for you, shopping sample gowns is the perfect solution. It’s both devastating and unfortunate to think of a beautifully hand-crafted wedding dress going to the scrap pile. At Bustle, we give gowns a second life. You get a dress that is perfectly tailored to you, without ever being worn by another bride. Your wedding will be the first wedding day your gown has ever seen.

3. NO WAIT

The dreaded wait time for your ordered wedding dress to come in was already anxiety inducing. Calculating that wait time felt like a math problem that you could never solve. The wait only got worse for traditional bridal shops in recent years with the supply chain issues from the pandemic. At Bustle, there is NO WAIT. You get to take home your dream dress THAT day. Imagine saying “yes” to the dress and then your consultant giving you that same dress in a sleek garment bag as you leave your appointment. That is the experience you get with Bustle. Shopping sample gowns means there is no wait time. Supply chain issues, who?

4. FEWER ALTERATIONS

Even though our shop is a sample dress boutique, that doesn’t mean you will be shopping alone. Bustle will always make sure you have the most elevated shopping experience. We have the sweetest, most intentional bridal consultants ready to guide you to the dress of a lifetime. Because our consultants will be bringing you gowns that are tailored to your style and body, this greatly decreases the amount of alterations you will need. You are getting to try on every gown with the knowledge that you will take that dress home. We aren’t blindly ordering a size with the hopes that when it comes in, it will fit like you envisioned. We’ve found that aside from minor alterations—like a hemline taken up or waistline taken in—our brides rarely make alterations to their gown.

It would be an absolute honor to help you find the dress your heart has been looking for. You can make your own bridal appointment here. And if you have any pre appointment questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message on instagram or visit our chat portal on our website. Our team loves to post reels of new arrivals on our instagram - you can find our recent reel here! We can’t wait to see you!