BUSTLE BRIDES

Bustle Bride: Emily Criswell

Bustle Bride, Emily Criswell, with her husband, Jeffrey, in Avondale.

The story of how Emily met Jeffrey is straight out of a Netflix romcom. The only thing that would make this tale more cinematic would be a cameo from your favorite celebrity actor. Jeffrey is a member of the Hoover Country Club and was randomly partnered with Emily’s parents for a summer scrabble tournament in the summer of 2020. Throughout their game time together, the group’s bubbly connection was warm and familiar. In true parental fashion, by the end of the tournament Emily’s parents were offering Jeffrey her phone number. Fast forward to a couple weeks later, Jeffrey and Emily “coincidentally” ran into each other at the country club.

I now know that Jeffrey saw me there and made it a point to run into me. We spoke briefly and that was that. I told all my friends how cute he was and how kind. I just couldn’t get him out of my head.
— Emily

About 4 months after that first meeting, Emily’s best friend, Amanda, playfully took her phone during their dinner date and added Jeffrey on Facebook. (That’s what best friends are for, right?) 

Bustle Bride, Emily Criswell, and her best friend, Amanda in Saturn Birmingham.

Emily with her best friend, Amanda

I was freaking out and told her he would never remember me all these months later, but while we were still at dinner, he reached out. He came with me and my friends to hang out at Back Forty the very next day and the rest is history.
— Emily

Emily’s first date with Jeffrey was nothing short of magical. Because he already knew her family (thank you scrabble tournament), she felt comfortable asking him to pick her up. The couple immediately hit it off and the conversation was effortless. Jeffrey treated Emily to dinner at Roots and Revelry and they laugh now because neither of them liked what they ordered but of course raved about how amazing it was that night.

“After dinner, we had drinks at the Elyton and he kissed me on the rooftop overlooking the Birmingham skyline. We spent 5 hours together that first night and it was perfect.” - Emily

Emily knew Jeffrey was “the one” in the summer of 2021. Jeffrey’s family invited her to join them on a family vacation in Wyoming. The pair spent the week hiking and fishing together with Jeffrey’s parents and his sister.

Bustle Birmingham Bride, Emily Criswell with her husband Jeffrey Criswell.
I knew when I left that I would marry him one day. Seeing him love and serve his family on that trip made me realize he would love and take care of me for the rest of my life. After we got engaged, he shared with me that he had a similar moment on that trip and had been planning his proposal since we returned. 
— Emily
Bustle Bride, Emily Criswell, with her husband, Jeffrey, in Avondale Birmingham, AL.

Emily went into her wedding gown appointment at Bustle expecting to walk out with a mermaid satin wedding dress with not a stitch of lace on it. 

Little did I know, the dress of my dreams was not the dress that would make me feel like a bride. The Bustle team was incredibly patient as I came to this realization and guided me through different styles and materials until I finally put on THE dress.
— Emily

The neckline of Emily’s wedding gown was her favorite part. She gushed with us over how enchanted her dress was to her, 

“The Bustle team spent well over an hour with me and honestly, I am SO thankful they understood my overall vision for our wedding even better than I did, and they didn’t let me get in my own way when it came to what I expected my dress to look like.” 

Bustle Bride, Emily Criswell, with her bridal party in Avondale, Birmingham, Alabama.

Emily’s favorite memory from our wedding day was, without any doubt, Jeffrey praying with her from around the corner of the venue. The beautiful couple chose not to have a first look. When Emily’s pastor came to pray with her and her bridesmaids, Emily asked if there was a way she could pray with Jeffrey without him seeing her.

My amazing wedding coordinator found a way for us to pray with each other from around the corner and being able to hear his voice brought me so much joy and peace. It was completely unplanned and beautiful, and I am so glad our photographers and videographers were able to capture that special moment. 
— Emily

The pair had a gorgeous brunch wedding in Birmingham’s iconic Avondale district. We might be a little bias, but we think Avondale is such a beautiful backdrop to the perfect wedding day. A downtown wedding is a fool-proof way to insure your guests feel energized and comfortable. What a refreshing way to say, “I do.”

Details from Bustle Bride, Emily Criswell’s wedding in Birmingham, Alabama.
Details from Bustle Bride, Emily and Jeffrey Criswell’s wedding in Birmingham, Alabama.
Details from Bustle Bride, Emily and Jeffrey Criswell’s wedding in the Saturn Birmingham, Alabama.
The wedding cakes from Daughter's Baking for Bustle Bride, Emily and Jeffrey Criswell’s wedding in Birmingham, Alabama.
Details from Bustle Bride, Emily and Jeffrey Criswell’s wedding in Birmingham, Alabama.

Dress: Bustle

Hair: Hannah Griffin at Orchid Salon

Makeup: Jessica Witt at Haven Space Salon

Spray Tan: Glow by Gabby

Suits: Men’s Warehouse

Photographer: Eric and Jamie Photography

Videographer: RJackson Media

Venue: The Upstairs at Avondale

Cakes: Daughter’s Baking 

Flowers: Designs by Robina 

Caterer: B&A Warehouse

Musician/ Entertainment: Robert Abernathy 

Bustle's Top 10 Father-Daughter Dance Songs

She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father.
— Harper Lee, Go Set a Watchman

Today we want to take a moment to appreciate the men that held our hearts first. They make keeping us safe their full time job and remind us of our true worth (even when we can’t see it ourselves). How do you fit a lifetime of that kind of love into a 3 minute Father-Daughter Dance? It all starts with a song that articulates what he means to us. We narrowed down our Top 10 Father-Daughter dance songs and are excited to share that with you.

Brittney and her Dad sharing their first dance at her wedding.

1.) Simply The Best - The Hound + The Fox

2.) Fathers and Daughters - Michael Bolton

3.) Hold My Girl - George Ezra

Bustle Bride, Mary Clyde, sharing a first look with her Dad.

4.) The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley

5.) I Will Always Be Yours - Ben Rector

6.) My Girl - The Temptations

7.) You Are My Sunshine - Jasmine Thompson

8.) I Loved Her First - Heartland

9.) Love Like This - Ben Rector

10.) Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez

Bustle Bride, Mary Clyde, having a Father Daughter Dance with her Dad.

Full Circle Motherhood: Emily and Teresa's Story

While the Oxford Dictionary very simply defines “motherhood” as “the state of being a mother,” we know that is the mere beginning of such a sacred word. How could anyone even begin to describe such a lifelong commitment. When asked about her own mother, Maya Angelou once said, “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” 

I really admire the way Oliver Wendell Holmes depicted adoration for his mother, “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; a mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” A mother’s secret hope is a force more mighty than any natural disaster, yet gentle to the touch. Today we are sharing a story of full circle motherhood between soon-to-be mother and former Bustle bride, Emily, and her Mom, Teresa.

When we asked Teresa to describe her relationship with her daughter, Emily, in one word, she said, “intuitive.”

Intuition: the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. 

The effortless intuition between parent and child is an unspoken miracle. Often found in hand signals, a laugh, or a simple “look”, this communication system surpasses all others. The very enchantment that magic is made of, making morse code look like child’s play.

On Emily’s wedding day, what Teresa wanted most was that her daughter not worry about any tiny detail. She longed for her daughter to be present in every moment, without worrying over the mechanics of the next. Teresa lovingly said, “The look on Emily's face that entire day told me that mission had been accomplished.” There is no better satisfaction to a Mom than knowing that their child is completely happy and at ease. 

I have to say that my absolute favorite moment was watching Emily’s first dance with her father.  Watching them in those few minutes was like watching a slideshow of their relationship from the time he held her as a baby to graduating from college and going out on her own.  It was such a picture perfect moment and of course...I cried.
— Teresa Odom

Teresa expressed to us how most people, especially Mothers, have preconceived notions of what special days will be like in their children’s lives and sometimes those moments don’t always go how we planned them. One of the many beautiful aspects of motherhood is learning to embrace those things. There is strength and pure love in accepting change. Emily’s outdoor wedding ceremony quickly became an indoor event after a downpour pivoted their plans. Their wedding venue, Burns Bluff, moved in high-speed to make Emily’s wedding day as beautiful as possible and the entire wedding party danced the night away. 

I liked how it was just me and and my Mom putting on my dress. Those are some of my favorite pictures from my wedding day. We’re in front of these big windows in the lodge, so it’s all bright and there’s one picture where her hands are on my waist and you can see how happy she is behind me, it’s my favorite.
— Emily Odom Brown

When Emily found out she was pregnant, after telling her husband, the first person she called was her Mom. Teresa, like most Mothers, is the most trusted secret keeper. She kept this beautiful secret for a while before Emily told the rest of her family. 

She knew for quite some time before anyone else in my family knew. She actually had to go visit my sister, who was having her second baby, and had to keep it a secret from everyone!
— Emily Odom Brown

One of the things Emily admires so much about her Mom is the art of letting go of the need to control every situation concerning her children. Emily’s parents always gave her a safe space to land. She knew no matter what she was dealing with in life, her Mom would be there to help her pick up the pieces and learn along the way, without judgement.

I just want my baby to do what she wants to do, and be her own person. No child is happy when they’re forced to do stuff they don’t want to or feel like they have to because their parent is the coach/director. Whatever she chooses will be fine with me as long as she’s being a good person, good teammate, and constantly trying her hardest.
— Emily Odom Brown

Emily’s due date is May 17th, which coincidentally falls around the same time of year her Mom was due to have her. Motherhood is such a beautiful full circle experience and we are so thankful to Emily and Teresa for helping us share that love with you today. Happy Mother’s Day to every beautiful Mom. You are a wonder.

Bustle Bride: Abbay Lovell

It’s not every day that you hear a love story with such reverie that it ignites every romantic narrative you have so vividly pictured in your mind since the dawn of your adolescent awakening. The kind of incandescent tale that couldn’t actually be real. Abbay and Christopher’s story is one that should be accompanied by its own grand piano score - simply stunning. 

The best trips, like best love affairs, never really end.
— Pico Iyer

Abbay met Christopher in a New Zealand-based neighborhood bistro, Gerome, for their first date. The conversation was warm and effervescent. Unsure if it was the red wine or his British accent, Abbay felt flushed in the best way. Christopher’s kind demeanor immediately captured her attention as they so-easily swapped travel tales.

Abbay and Christopher in their bridal looks standing in a field in front of beautiful mountains in New Zealand.

Before finding herself in this cinematic bistro with the company of a beautiful English gentleman in New Zealand, it was actually a European holiday that first sparked Abbay’s wanderlust. What started out as a spirited Girl’s Trip to Europe ended in Abbay coming back to America eager to find that feeling of liberation again. Not long after her return, Abbay’s accounting firm proposed the opportunity of a lifetime. She was offered a 4-6 month secondment abroad and couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity. Having just gone through a breakup, love was not on her radar. She was looking to experience a new country, a chance to learn and grow. Little did she know, this short term commitment would be an exploration that would change her life.

Abbay and Christopher's wedding bands in white flowers.

Abbay felt herself falling for Christopher after their second date - immediate SPARKS.

I half-jokingly wrote in my journal that I was convinced we were in love and maybe I would marry him.
— Abbay

While it was a little out of ‘the normal’ for Abbay to write something like this. She realized that Christopher made her feel safe. Abbay fell into this incredible state of vulnerability with Christopher. This level of vulnerability felt like a long shot knowing that Christopher was from England and her roots were in America. With only a temporary assignment in New Zealand holding them together geographically, this chance at love was a beautiful risk that the couple was willing to take. They spent months learning each other and enjoying the simple things. It became clear to Abbay that this connection was special and worth the outward commitment. Abbay extended her stay in New Zealand and fell in love with Christopher.

Abbay in her wedding gown walking through a beautiful scenic sidewalk.

Abbay didn’t have the chance to do any research before she visited Bustle for her initial bridal appointment. She had only been engaged for a week before flying to Birmingham from New Zealand for work. Abbay knew that if she wanted her Mom and Sister to help her pick out a gown, she needed to fit in an appointment while in Birmingham. There was something about going in totally open minded that gave Abbay a fresh sense of freedom. She tried on several different styles, but felt something special after trying on a stunning Anne Barge gown. Abbay was almost sure this dress was THE one. After taking the evening to collect her thoughts, she knew that it was meant-to-be. Everyone experiences emotions differently when trying on their dream dress for the first time. It’s important that we don’t pressure ourselves to feel immediate theatrics because we all experience life in different ways and that is what makes us beautiful. Abbay gave herself time to allow her feelings to settle before making the decision that was right for her and we LOVE that.

I loved everything about my gown, but if I had to choose one aspect I love the most, it would be the long-sleeve lace top that can be worn over the gown. It completely glams up the gown in a really timeless way.
— Abbay

Like all love stories (even the most enchanting ones) not everything can go as planned. The last few years have brought a new set of challenges for every pair planning matrimony. Abbay and Christopher had to cancel their big-white-wedding in England and after several failed attempts to reschedule they decided to reimagine their wedding day.

After all, we met in New Zealand and spending time outside is our favorite thing to do together. So, why not take advantage of New Zealand’s mountains as a crazy, beautiful backdrop for our special day?
— Abbay

The morning of their elopement, Abbay and Christopher spent precious time together in their romantic mountain lodge, talking and gazing into the lake.

The couple shared intimate vows in front of their lodge followed by a scenic drive to the mountains. Passing sheep and an endearing flock of ducklings on the way, they finally arrived to their spot. This place would make even the most cynical person believe in love. And just as she dreamed weeks prior, Abbay got her special moment with the crazy, beautiful mountains as the backdrop. 

Abbay and Christopher exchanging vows outside in New Zealand.
Abbay approaching Christopher to share their "first look."
I loved our first look - We both cried. It was a really lovely ‘I’ve-been-waiting-for-this-moment-forever’ type of feeling that came over both of us.
— Abbay
Abbay and Christopher sharing an emotional first look.

While Abbay and Christopher had each other on this significant day, they also found unexpected friends in their vendors. Eloping comes with a beautiful effortlessness that allows room for laughs and candid moments without the fear of others’ expectations. The pair hit it off so well with their photographer, that they invited Charlotte and her husband to a private dinner that evening. The beauty in this love story is in the unexpected details. How fate and a sequence of particular circumstances brought Abbay and Christopher to this moment. Falling into a life of love is truly done one little adventure at a time.

Abbay and Christopher sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.
As tough as it is to plan a wedding these days, I love the freedom that the pandemic has given us to rewrite the rules when it comes to weddings and events. There really are no rules anymore, and there is so much less expectation around what a wedding ‘should’ look like.
— Abbay
Abbay and Christopher in a scenic field in front of mountains in New Zealand.

Abbay, originally from Alabama, started a travel business and loves helping couples plan their dream honeymoon. You can glean from her knowledge in this precious blog post or visit her website to learn more about her phenomenal services. Your dream honeymoon is only a few steps away.

Abbay and Christopher in a scenic field in front of mountains in New Zealand.
Abbay and Christopher in a scenic field in front of mountains in New Zealand.
Abbay in her Bustle wedding gown.

Accommodation: Matakauri Lodge


Photographer: Charlotte Kiri Photography


Celebrant: Liz Maluschnig at Chosen for Beautiful Weddings


Flowers: Crimson Wedding Flowers


Hair and makeup: Charm Beauty


Dress: Bustle Gowns

Travel Planner: Abbay's Escapes

Bridal Gowns as Taylor Swift Eras

At Bustle, we know All Too Well that finding the gown of your Wildest Dreams can be almost as hard as finding a Message in a Bottle. Most of us have been Enchanted at the idea of our bridal gown since we were Fifteen. We want to see Sparks Fly, we don’t want to just Tolerate It. Everyone’s Love Story is unique to their own experience and your dream Dress should always reflect that journey. Call It What You Want, you are Gorgeous. You are Fearless. You spent years looking for your Forever and Always, your Holy Ground. We’ve all had our fair share of Champagne Problems. Now is the time to be your own White Horse and enjoy what you worked so hard for. We Are Never Getting Back Together with the idea that we aren’t enough.

Bustle Model in romantic wedding gown.

In the off chance that you haven’t picked up on it yet, this week we are inspired by the ever lovely, Taylor Allison Swift. For so many of us, this woman has helped shape the way we look at love and heartbreak. She gave a voice to our feelings at every stage of our lives. We couldn’t think of a better way to channel this inspiration than taking a trip down the many eras of Taylor Swift. We hope you enjoy our tribute and find the perfect gown from the album that pulls on your heartstrings. Whether you’re a Lover kind of girly or a Folklore type of bride, at Bustle we have a gown for every aesthetic. 

Are you ready for it?

I think that the perfection of love is that it’s not perfect.
— Taylor Swift

Debut Album

Gown Designer: Rebecca Schoneveld

Fearless

Gown Designer: Paloma Blanca

Speak Now

Bustle model in floral lace wedding gown.

Gown Designer: Jenny Yoo

Red

Gown Designer: Wtoo By Watters

1989

Bustle model wearing fitted wedding gown.

Gown Designer: Anne Barge

Reputation

Gown Designer: Tiadora

Lover

Gown Designer: That’s Bliss by Monique Lhuillier

Folklore

Gown Designer: Wtoo By Watters

Evermore

Gown Designer: Modern Trousseau

If you would like to see the gowns in action, check out our Instagram Reels for all the twirls.

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 Bride: Brittney Vigna Wysong

In a world full of online dating horror stories, it is beautifully refreshing when one of those “swipes” ends in real romance.  While Brittney and Rory’s story may have started in Bumble DMs, it is no question that the authenticity of their connection is something that each of them had never experienced before.

Brittney hugging her husband Rory before their wedding.

When Brittney met Rory she was working at The University of Alabama while Rory was temporarily located in Tuscaloosa for work.  Brittney is a huge craft beer fan (we love a girl who knows a good brew!), so it is fitting that they chose Loosa Brews for their first date.  When Brittney arrived to the brewery, she had so many butterflies that she completely darted past Rory and tried to calm herself down.  In true hallmark movie fashion, the warmth of their conversation quickly put Brittney at ease and she laughed more that day than she had in a long time.  Rory failed to mention that he had NEVER tried craft beer before, so Brittney took the lead and introduced him to her favorites.  Needless to say, he quickly realized that craft beer hits a little different - instant fan!  

The back of Brittney's Bustle gown with her windswept veil.
I knew he was the one when he became the first person I wanted to call for anything. That person had always been my mom. It sounds funny, but that’s when I recognized the fact that this is my person, this is my family.
— Brittney
Brittney and Rory sharing a laugh during their wedding ceremony.

When Brittney felt that shift within herself, she knew Rory was her person. It was undeniable that Rory had put himself in her heart and she would continually find him residing there.  The earnest thing about love is that sometimes there isn’t one instance that tells you someone is “the one.”  It is all of those little feelings that build onto each other until it is absolutely impossible to see that person as anything else.

Brittney's bridal details and stationary.
Brittney with her Mom on her wedding day.
Brittney having a first look with her bridesmaids.

Brittney’s wedding day encompassed all of her most significant dreams.  She never saw herself in a ballgown.  When she had her Bridal Appointment at Bustle, Brittney went in thinking that she would go for something backless with long sleeves.  It is no surprise that she did not choose either of those things.  When Brittney tried on the ballgown, she felt like a bride for the first time.  She was no longer just a girl trying on white dresses.  She was THE BRIDE and had all the confidence to go along with her showstopper gown.  Brittney’s dress did not need a single alteration, so she felt like it was quite literally made for her.

I finally felt like a BRIDE in this gown and the confidence that came with that is the most I’ve ever experienced in my whole life.
— Brittney
Brittney twirling in her bustle birmingham wedding gown.

Brittney’s gown is an ethereal masterpiece from the designer, Mikaella.  The high neckline and lace bodice exude sheer elegance while the chiffon skirt is playful and romantic.  We’ve never met a tulle skirt we didn’t like!  Brittney is a true vision in her gown.  She was able to dance and enjoy her wedding comfortably while simultaneously feeling the most beautiful.

Brittney fluffing her Bustle Birmingham wedding gown.

We asked Brittney to share with us the most memorable aspect of her wedding day and her answer has us all reaching for the tissue box.

My favorite part is when I walked down the aisle and saw Rory. I truly felt like time stopped. I didn’t see anything but him. It was so special and I had no doubt that our forever would be just as beautiful as that moment.
— Brittney
Brittney and Rory with their wedding party at the Clubhouse on Highland in Highland Park.
Brittney and Rory sharing a kiss after their wedding ceremony.
Brittney and Rory dancing on their wedding day.

Vendors:

Hair: Shelby Cox

Venue: Clubhouse on Highland

Florist: Three Things Floral

Tent Rental: Pre Events

Catering: Happy Catering Co

Suits: Black Tie

Bridesmaid Dresses: Lulus

Videography: Kate Elaine

Photography: Hannah Sharriee

Officiant: Chris Clevenger

Hooray, Bustle is 7!

For this year’s celebration, we gathered the Bustle girls together for a girls night in. We got cozy in our favorite loungewear and fuzzy slippers and had our hair braided by Ashley Brannon from Morgan Ashley Salon. We snacked on a delicious (and beautiful) charcuterie board by Savor Style and dove into the most delicious peach bourbon cake from Daughter’s Baking. When we were full of treats, we snuggled up in our blankets and masks and watched Emma projected on a big screen! It was really nice to be relaxing together and spending a little QT. Special thanks to Maddie Harper and Kindred Events for planning and executing this intimate little afternoon.

It’s been such a pleasure to serve so many brides these past 7 years. We’ve enjoyed getting to be a part of each beautiful love story, and are grateful to be able to do what we love. Here’s to many more years of Bustle!

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Bustle Bride: Kelsey Brown Sizemore

It was a beautiful August day when Bustle bride Kelsey Brown Sizemore and her hubby Josh began their happily ever after! Kelsey and Josh met a few years ago through a mutual friend who was Kelsey's roommate at the time. The pair quickly became friends and saw each other at church pretty often, then started dating a year later!

The whole day was so fun- my favorite part was being with all of our favorite people! It’s amazing to have all of your friends and family together to celebrate you- really humbling. All the bridesmaids and family got ready together at my parents house and I loved sharing that time with all the girls. Josh and I both agree that the music during our ceremony was one of our favorite parts of the day. Several great friends from church played during our ceremony and it was so beautiful and really meaningful for us!

Kelsey was such a joy to have in our store, and we so loved helping her find her dream dress! At the end of the day, she couldn't see herself in anything other than her Lis Simon chiffon halter gown.

Bustle Bride: Lindsey O'Quinn Davis

Our newest Bustle Bride is the beautiful Lindsey O'Quinn Davis. Lindsey and her husband Jay Davis said, "I do," on a beautiful August day at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, AL.

Lindsey and Jay met on the last day of their freshman year at Samford University; however, is wasn't until the first day of sophomore year that they started to get to know one another and go on dates. They finally became "official" on October 9, 2014, and the rest is history! 

Lindsey chose a gorgeous Ivy & Aster strapless gown with tulle skirt and lace detailing bodice and hem, and we're so thankful we had the opportunity to be a small part of Lindsey's special day!

Other than walking back down the aisle with Jay and the surreal feeling that we both experienced, my favorite part of the wedding was the reception where I got to dance the night away with my spouse, friends and family all by our side! It was such an incredible night that we will cherish forever and ever!

Vendors:

Venue: Aldridge Gardens

Photography: Leah Grace Photography

Catering: Savoie Catering

Florals: Vera Flora

Linen: Décor to Adore

Cake: Cakes by Kim

Entertainment: Act of Congress

Prop/Lounge Rentals: Prophouse

Lighting Design: Lighting the Way

Tent Rental: Special Event Rentals/Gameday Events

Car Rental: Coats Classic Cars