It’s officially wedding season, but regardless of the time of year, Berlin serves as a one-stop shop for all your wedding needs, from the venue, to the gifts, to the flowers, hair and makeup, and most important of all, the dress! Bustle Bridal Boutique in Berlin has a lot to celebrate this year, including their recent move to a larger space! The bridal shop is also celebrating four years in business this week. We decided to tour the new space, spurring us to consider all of the options for wedding planning in Berlin.
Jen Davis and Kathy Walsh are the owners and operators of Bustle, but they share a bond beyond business partners, they are also mother and daughter. “We were always thinking of a mother-daughter venture” Kathy said of the origins of their bridal store. “There was nothing here locally, so we thought it would be a fun niche that we could fill,” added Jen. Four years later, the mother-daughter team is going strong, with a new, larger space and an ever-growing list of happy brides and bridal parties.
Bustle made the move from its former Main Street location (now home to Bungalow Love) to Broad Street this spring – a move which has afforded them with more space and natural lighting for their stunning selections. Consequently, they are now carrying men’s suits and tuxedos, in addition to their line of dresses for mother of the bride, bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, flower girls, and brides. There are also a few gifts available in the shop that are perfect for a shower or a wedding.
The pictures really do the store the most justice (see below), but we were instantly taken with the natural lighting, the soft tones, and the welcoming feel of the shop. The intimate and friendly setting at Bustle is equal parts elegant and inviting, with the perfect infusion of small town charm. “We offer a very personal and relaxing setting,” said Kathy, and we couldn’t agree more. Kathy also pointed out that they offer private, champagne appointments, with sweet treats and champagne on hand for the bride and her family and friends to enjoy as they toast to finding ‘the one.’ Which is precisely why they provide limited store hours, said Jen, adding that it allows them to work with the brides’ schedules for early morning and early evening appointments.
Of course the focal point of the shop is the dress selection. “We pride ourselves in our selection of gowns,” said Kathy. “Our selection is classic, so not too trendy,” added Jen. “We’ve never wanted to be overwhelming in our selection.” The selection of dresses is varied, and while it is on the smaller side when compared to the larger bridal malls, the aim is to keep the process intimate and stress-free for brides and their bridal parties.
When asked what their favorite aspect of their jobs was, both Kathy and Jen agreed that it was that perfect moment when the bride finds the dress of her dreams. “For me, it’s when her dress comes in and it’s everything that she imagined it would be,” said Jen. For Kathy, it’s watching the reaction of the mother of the bride when the veil goes on. “As soon as that veil goes on, it’s waterworks.”
In addition to providing the attire for the entire wedding party, the ladies of Bustle also act as the unofficial concierge for your big day, offering advice and referrals for area vendors. Sarah Murray Photography, Encore Events, Baked Desserts, The Waystead Inn, The Atlantic Hotel, Little Miss Lovely, and Bleached Butterfly are just a few of the local vendors and venues Bustle recommends.
And for a complete Berlin wedding, we recommend the following:
Dress and Wedding Party Attire: Bustle
Venue: The Atlantic Hotel
Cake/Dessert Bar: Baked Dessert Café
Flowers: Bleached Butterfly
Hair: Oh My Hair
Unique Gifts: Bungalow Love (stay tuned for our upcoming story)
For more on Bustle, to make an appointment, or to check out their new location, visit bustleonbroad.com.
*Photos by Gina Whaley*
