Wedding Dress Trains Discussed!
Your wedding ceremony dress is likely one of the most extravagant outfits you will ever wear. One of the key features that makes it so unique is the train – the extended back of a wedding gown that trails behind the bride as she walks. Trains vary significantly in design and length – some can be very short, while others can make quite a substantial statement – Kate Middleton’s was nine feet long! Sometimes wedding dress terminology can be challenging to grasp, and trains are no exception. There are numerous types, each with their own names and characteristics. This simple guide will explain the differences between the various trains so you can go to your bridal shop with confidence, knowing what you're looking for.
Most floor-length wedding gowns will have a train of some kind – some will be almost unnoticeable, just a few inches longer in the back than in the front, whereas others may require assistance from bridesmaids as you walk. Trains can be attached at different points on the back of the dress, and some are even detachable to make dancing or walking easier after the ceremony. Some may also have loops for you to hook over your wrist to keep your train out of the way when needed. Keep in mind that long trains can be heavy, so if you're going for a very traditional ballgown style wedding dress with a large train, you might need to rest during the day to avoid getting tired!
Here are the main types of wedding dress trains you’re likely to come across while wedding dress shopping:
1. **Brush** - This is the shortest length of train; the back of the gown is slightly longer than the front and just touches the ground.
2. **Court** - Court-style trains are a bit fuller than brush-styles. Draping starts at the waistline and extends about 12 inches behind the gown. Court trains are sometimes detachable.
3. **Watteau** - These trains give a very different look as they are attached in a single panel on the shoulders. The train then extends down the bride's back and usually just brushes the ground. However, some Watteau trains may be longer for a more dramatic look. Like court trains, Watteau trains can often be detached from the wedding gown itself.
4. **Chapel** - This is where things start to get dramatic in the world of wedding gown trains! A chapel train can extend up to three feet behind the gown, which most brides find is a fairly manageable length.
5. **Cathedral** - Cathedral trains are more formal and are most common for large church weddings because the train extends six feet or more behind the bride. You will almost certainly need a little help from your wedding party to manage this train!
6. **Monarch** - Usually reserved for incredibly formal, celebrity, or royal weddings, a monarch train is the longest of all, and typically extends at least nine feet behind the bride, like Princess Diana’s and Kate Middleton’s.
---
**Specific Train Styles Mentioned:**
- **Cathedral (wedding dress special gothic)**
- **Watteau (wedding dresses)**
- **Court (wedding dress patterns)**
- **Brush (wedding dress special gothic)**
- **Brush (wedding dress)**