A wedding dress train is a type of wedding gown embellishment that drapes from the back of the dress. Wedding dress trains come in all different shapes and sizes, and there's one perfect for every bride! But, all these different options and train lengths can quickly become overwhelming. Which style is right for you? How long is too long (no such thing!). Don't worry - the experts here at Avery Austin are ready to help you.
In this wedding dress train length guide, we'll answer all your questions about wedding dress trains. We'll start by explaining what they are and their significance to the wedding ceremony. Then, we'll talk about the different wedding train lengths available. Finally, we'll help you choose the right wedding dress train length for your own unique style!
Stay tuned to the very end as we explain where you can find wedding dresses with customizable train lengths. First things first - some background information on wedding trains in general.
What Are Wedding Dress Trains?
A wedding dress train is a long piece of fabric that extends from the back of the wedding dress. It typically runs along the ground and can range in length from a few inches to several feet. The wedding dress train can be made from the same material as the rest of the dress, or it can be made from a different fabric altogether.
And while you may only be familiar with trains as it pertains to wedding gowns, this isn't the only situation in which you'll encounter trains. They're common in academic ceremonies as well.
Now, with all this said, why do wedding dresses have trains? We actually wrote a complete guide on this topic - be sure to read through it if you haven't already. But to summarize, trains have been an important component of bridal gowns since medieval times. They help draw attention to the bride and symbolize the wealth of the family. These days, though, brides just want trains on their dress for one reason: they look elegant and sophisticated!
With that said, you know you want a train on your bridal gown. But the question is, how long should your train be? That's the topic at hand today. So without any further ado, let's get into our wedding dress train length guide!
Wedding Dress Train Length Guide: Breaking Down Popular Styles
Ready to dive into our wedding dress train length guide? We're going to break down the most popular styles you'll come across in the bridal industry today. After this section, we'll talk about going custom with your train length. Let's start by introducing the first style, and the shortest of wedding dress trains: the sweep train.
The Sweep Train
The sweep train is the shortest wedding dress train length available. It's also sometimes called a brush train, and it extends anywhere from four inches to two feet long. The vast majority of wedding dresses you see in magazines or on TV will have a sweep train. And there's a good reason for that - they look amazing!
A sweep train is perfect for any bride who wants a classic look with just a touch of drama. It's a pretty understated look. Sweep trains don't extend too far behind the bride, so they're easy to manage and walk-in. This is especially important for outdoor weddings on the beach (which our beach bridal gowns are perfect for!)
Plus the sweep train still offers that glamorous look that every bride wants on their wedding day. If you want a timeless wedding dress with a short train, the sweep train is the way to go!
The Court Train
The court train is the next step up from the sweep train in terms of wedding dress train lengths. It runs anywhere from two to four feet long. Unlike the sweep train, which lies close to the ground, the court train extends outwards and away from the body.
This wedding dress train length is perfect for any bride who wants a little bit more drama on their wedding day. The court train is still easy to manage, but it's definitely a more dramatic look than the sweep train. If you're having an indoor wedding or a formal affair, this is the perfect style for you!
Plus, the court train looks amazing in photos. Trust us - your wedding photos will be absolutely stunning if you choose a dress with a court train!
The Watteau Train
The watteau train is the next wedding dress train length on our list. It's named after Jean-Antoine Watteau, a French painter who was known for his Rococo-style paintings. And like the Rococo period, the watteau train is all about drama and opulence!
This wedding dress train style extends anywhere from four to six feet long. That's a lot of fabric! The watteau train also drapes beautifully and cascades down the back of the dress. It adds a bit more drama than the aforementioned train lengths. So if you want a more understated look, you may not opt for the Watteau train. But if serving up drama as you step down the aisle is your goal, this is not a bad choice!
Keep in mind that because it's so long, the watteau train can be difficult to manage. We recommend that brides who choose this wedding dress train length have someone to help them with it on their big day!
The Chapel Train
The chapel train is a wedding dress train that's slightly longer than the sweep train. It extends anywhere from two to five feet long, and it's named after a traditional wedding venue: the chapel.
A chapel train is perfect for any bride who wants a classic look with a little bit more drama than a sweep train. They're still easy to manage and walk in, but they offer a more dramatic look. If you want a timeless wedding dress with a medium-length train, you can't go wrong with the chapel train. But if you want something a bit longer, consider the cathedral train.
The Cathedral Train
The cathedral train is the longest wedding dress train length available. It extends anywhere from five to fifteen feet long, and it's named after the most famous wedding venue: the cathedral.
A cathedral train is perfect for any bride who wants a dramatic look. They're not as easy to manage and walk in, but they offer a truly stunning look. If you want to step down the aisle looking as elegant and dreamy as possible, the cathedral train is a great choice. As you'll learn below, though, there is one more style that is even a bit longer...
The Royal Train
Last but not least, there is the royal train. As the name implies, it doesn't get more elegant or formal than this gown style! The royal train extends anywhere from ten to twenty-five feet long.
This wedding dress train length is perfect for any bride who wants the most dramatic and luxurious look possible as they waltz towards the alter. If you want to make a grand entrance on your wedding day, the royal train is the way to go. Just keep in mind that you'll need someone to help you manage it on your big day!
But, as you'll discover in the next section, these train styles we've discussed aren't the only choices you have. You can also meet between two styles by going custom.
Customizing Your Wedding Dress Train Length At Avery Austin
Of course, you're not limited to these three wedding dress train lengths. You can always customize your train length to be whatever you want it to be! And if you're looking for something truly unique, we recommend going with a custom wedding dress train length.
At Avery Austin, we specialize in wedding dresses. We believe that every bride deserves a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that's perfect for their unique style, wedding theme, and more. And when you buy wedding dresses online at Avery Austin, you can customize your train length if you want it longer or shorter! We can eliminate the train altogether if that's what you want - or, we can add or remove train fabric in 1' increments. We mean it when we say that you can get your dream dress at Avery Austin - no compromise whatsoever. The best part is that we guide you through the process every step of the way. No need to stress over the wedding dress timeline or finding affordable wedding dresses - experience bridal gown shopping as it was intended at Avery Austin! We'll talk about this more later on. There's still some work left to do - let's help you pick the right train for your gown.
Choosing The Right Train Length For You
Now that you know all about wedding dress train lengths, it's time to choose the right one for you. To do that, there are two main things you need to consider: your wedding style, your wedding venue, and your personal style preferences. Let's start with the wedding style.
Wedding Style/Location
Are you having a traditional church wedding? If so, you might want to consider a chapel train. Are you having a destination wedding in the sand? Then, you might want to go without a train altogether. But if you're getting married in a grand ballroom or another formal setting, any wedding dress train length will look gorgeous!
- Destination wedding in the sand: no train/short train
- Traditional church wedding: chapel train
- Grand ballroom: any wedding dress train length will look gorgeous!
Personal style preferences:
Do you like the way that long trains look in photos? Or do you prefer the way that shorter trains look? Consider your personal style preferences when choosing your wedding dress train length. There's no right or wrong answer - it's all about what you love!
If you're still having trouble deciding which wedding dress train length is right for you, don't worry! In the next section, we'll help you choose the perfect train length for your wedding dress. We'll give you a few different scenarios and tell you which train length would work best in each case. Keep reading to learn more!
Wrapping Up Our Wedding Dress Train Length Guide
As you can see, choosing your ideal wedding dress train length is not something you should take lightly. This seemingly minor detail can make or break your intended look. If you want to add flair and drama to your look, opt for a long train wedding dress. If you want to remain simple and understated, without the hassle of a train flowing behind you, stick with a shorter train.
There is no right or wrong answer - you're the bride. What you say goes, after all! And if you don't believe in compromising on what you want, choose Avery Austin for your wedding dress shopping.
We're on a mission to transform the bridal gown industry for the better. When you shop with us, you get salon-quality without the expensive price tag. You also get unparalleled support every step of the way - our bridal experts are here to help you navigate this complicated process. You can even try on wedding dresses at home - enjoying that classic dress shopping experience from the comfort and convenience of your own home!
Not only can we help you customize your train length, but we can help you get your dress fast. While the majority of retailers are experiencing up to 6-month delays, we can get you ready to ship wedding dresses in under 13 weeks! Once this whole experience is over and you look back on it, you'll be glad you went with Avery Austin - despite the less traditional shopping experience. Let's get started!