Guide to Wedding Dress Trains
What makes a wedding look really come together is the little details, whether that’s the intricate lace on your veil, the beading on your dress, the piece of your mom’s wedding dress you sewed into yours, or the type of train you chose for your dress. All of these details add a personal touch to your wedding attire. When it comes to the train, a lot of people can forget about it when they are wedding dress shopping, but it’s one of the most important parts of the dress. Not only does it complete the look, but it brings a magical quality to your wedding entrance as you cascade down the aisle with your train following in your path. As beautiful as extremely long trains are (we’re thinking Princess Diana’s 25-foot train or Priyanka Chopra’s 75-foot train), they can make it difficult to function in your dress. Most brides will opt for a happy medium with trains ranging from 10 feet to just 1 foot. Whether you like long or short trains, there is a style for every type of bride. We created a guide for you below, so it can make the process of choosing the right train for you a little bit easier!
Watteau
If you’re looking to have a more unconventional train, then the watteau is the one for you. This type of train is attached at the shoulders instead of the waist, almost resembling a cape. If you don’t want to make the full commitment to having a train, this is a great option because you can wear it for your ceremony and then take it off for your reception to dance the night away. It also works as a great accessory to add flair to a more casual wedding gown.
Sweep
Trains aren’t for every bride, so if long trains or just trains, in general, make you nervous, the sweep train is very subtle. Often it is just long enough to graze the floor, usually measuring less than a foot. Despite being short, it can still add a dramatic effect to your dress and is great for outdoor weddings where you may have to do a lot of walking through terrain that can dirty your gown.
Court
Just slightly longer than a sweep train, the court train is about one foot long but extends from the waistline instead of the hemline. This type of train subtly accentuates the silhouette of a gown, making a dress a little less casual. But, it’s still short enough that it’s easy to move around in while creating a sophisticated wedding look.
Chapel
This is the most popular train among brides. Measuring about three to five feet long, the chapel train can add a significant amount of drama to a gown but isn’t too over the top. It’s the perfect blend between practicality and formality, giving an eye-catching, elegant touch to almost any wedding gown style while remaining functional.
Cathedral
If you’re really trying to nail the formal look, then the cathedral train, measuring about six feet long, is perfect for you. This glamorous look is sure to make you feel like you’re in a fairytale while walking down the aisle on your wedding day. But, this type of train does require more attention than the others as you’ll have to keep bridesmaids on hand to make sure your train isn’t getting caught on anything or bunching up on the ends.
Royal
Now, if you really want to bring an element of extravagance and go all out on your wedding look, choose the royal train that measures about 10 feet long or more. It might take an army of bridesmaids to get you down the aisle, but no one will be able to take their eyes off of you. This type of train will make you look and feel like a royal princess and get you “oohs” and “aahs” all night long!
Share this with a bride who is trying to decide on their preferred wedding gown silhouette. Browse our collection of wedding gowns that are all made-to-measure and have a variation of train lengths!
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