Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dress trains have been popular since the Middle Ages, when they were used to showcase the wealth of royalty. Today, trains are still a popular feature of wedding dresses, adding elegance and drama to the bridal look. Trains can be detachable or built-in, and they come in various lengths and styles, such as the Watteau, chapel, sweep, and court trains. They can be made from different fabrics like tulle, chiffon, or silk, and may include embellishments like ruffles or lace panels. Creating and shaping a wedding dress train involves careful construction and attention to detail, ensuring that the train flows gracefully and complements the overall design of the dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Train length | Chapel trains extend 12-60 inches, sweep trains extend 6 inches, and court trains trail between one and two and a half feet. |
| Train attachment | Trains can be detachable or built-in. Detachable trains can be tied or pinned in place and are often less expensive than built-in trains. |
| Train types | Watteau trains are attached to the shoulders or back of the dress for a cape-like look. Bustles are another option, with American bustles complementing ball gowns and French bustles working well with mermaid or trumpet shapes. |
| Train maintenance | The maid of honor is typically responsible for adjusting the train and ensuring it stays gracefully spread out. |
| Train styling | Ruffles or horsehair braids can be added underneath the train to help it glide over the floor and prevent it from dragging. |
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What You'll Learn
Advantages of a detachable train
A detachable train is a great way to add a unique flourish to your wedding dress, and there are several advantages to choosing one. Firstly, they can provide a cost-effective way of achieving two different looks on your wedding day. By removing the train post-ceremony, you can instantly transform your look, going from a dramatic entrance to a more comfortable and practical reception outfit. This also saves you the hassle and expense of sourcing two completely different dresses.
Secondly, detachable trains offer versatility and convenience. They can be made in a variety of fabrics to complement your wedding gown, and they come in different styles, such as skirts, Watteaus, and capes, allowing you to personalise your look. A detachable train can also be an elegant solution to the challenges of having a long train. Long trains can be cumbersome, heavy, and difficult to manage, especially when moving around or dancing. With a detachable option, you can enjoy the grandeur of a long train for the ceremony and photos, and then remove it to create a more streamlined silhouette for the reception.
Additionally, detachable trains can add volume and dimension to your wedding dress. They can enhance the structure of your gown, creating a regal silhouette and visual interest, especially in photographs. The ability to detach the train also means you can more easily manage and care for your dress, as long trains can be delicate and prone to damage.
Ultimately, a detachable train gives you the option to have a dramatic entrance and that signature bridal moment, without sacrificing comfort and practicality for the rest of your special day.
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The Watteau train
DesignFormal, a trusted name in wedding couture, offers a diverse collection of Watteau train wedding dresses, catering to various styles, including modern elegance and vintage charm. Their gowns are meticulously crafted, ensuring comfort, style, and ease of movement. Additionally, they provide customization options, such as neckline alterations and fabric selections, to create a truly unique wedding ensemble.
The Isobel Watteau Train is another example of a detachable train that pairs with the Isobel Gown. This train features floral embroidery at the hem, adding a delicate and romantic touch to the overall design. With its ethereal aura and timeless appeal, the Watteau train is an excellent choice for brides who want to make a statement on their special day.
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The bustle
A bustle is a bridal alteration that helps secure the fabric of a gown's train, allowing the bride to move around freely and comfortably. It is usually added after the ceremony and before the reception, although some brides may opt to leave their train flowing for the first dance.
There are several different types of bustles, and nearly all full-length gowns have hooks, ties, or buttons sewn into the wedding dress train to create a uniform hemline. The type of bustle chosen depends on the gown, and a seamstress can help determine the best style. One popular style is the ballroom bustle, which gives the illusion that the gown was a floor-length dress all along. This style is achieved by sewing multiple bustle points around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately. Another style is created by gathering fabric centrally down the middle of the gown and through the back, creating a vertical illusion similar to ruching. This style is unique and eye-catching and is also easy for bridesmaids to help adjust.
Bustles can be expensive to add and technically challenging to execute. They usually cost around $100 to $300, but the price depends on the style chosen. It is important to have a trusted person, such as a maid of honour, bridesmaid, parent, or close friend, help with bustling the dress, as it is nearly impossible to do so while wearing it. This person should attend at least one fitting to learn the technique and reduce any fumbling on the wedding day.
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The length of the train
For a shorter option, consider a sweep or brush train, which gently grazes the floor, extending just a few inches from the bottom hem of the gown. This style is perfect for brides who want a subtle touch of sophistication without compromising their ease of movement, especially for outdoor or casual weddings.
If you desire a slightly longer train without the hassle of a traditional wedding dress, opt for a court train. This style extends about one foot out from the bottom of the gown, offering a happy medium between length and manageability.
For a timeless and understated look, the chapel train is a popular choice, extending 3 to 4 feet from the waist. This mid-length train is ideal for semi-formal or formal dress codes, providing a classic bridal feel without being too fussy.
If you're seeking a more dramatic effect, the semi-cathedral train adds formality without the weight of a full-length train. Extending 4 to 5 feet from the waist, it offers a similar visual impact to the cathedral train but with less fabric, making it easier to manage.
Finally, for the ultimate fairytale moment, choose a cathedral or monarch train. The cathedral train is a formal option, extending 6 to 8 feet behind you, often chosen for grand venues and black-tie weddings. The monarch train, also known as the royal train, is the longest option, flowing 10 feet or more and reserved for the most formal and lavish affairs. These longer trains create a majestic aura around the bride, ensuring she is the centre of attention.
Remember, you can always opt for a detachable train to enjoy the benefits of multiple looks and hassle-free movement throughout your wedding day.
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Adjusting the train
As the Maid of Honour (MOH), you may be tasked with adjusting the bride's train throughout the wedding. It is your responsibility to ensure that the train stays gracefully spread out behind the gown, without rumpling or bunching up. Before the bride walks down the aisle, make sure the train will flow out behind her as she steps towards the altar. During the ceremony, use subtle and refined adjustments to keep the train beautifully spread. Make your adjustments when all eyes are on the altar, such as during the officiant's greeting or a selected reading.
If the wedding dress has a bustle, you will need to help the bride prepare it between the wedding and the reception. The type of bustle will depend on the style and fabric of the dress. For example, an American bustle works best with a ball gown or longer wedding dress train, while a French bustle complements a mermaid or trumpet shape. The seamstress or tailor will decide on the bustle technique during one of the fittings. However, they won't be there on the day, so it is your responsibility to pin the bustle.
If the bride has a detachable train, you can simply remove it post-ceremony to reveal a reception look. This can save time and money, as well as providing two looks in one. A detachable train can turn a fitted column silhouette into a ball gown, a sheath into an ethereal style, or a mini dress into a high-low gown with a flowing train.
To help a train glide over the floor, you can sew a ruffle onto the underside of the train. The ruffle should be attached to the lining of the train—the side that has contact with the floor. The ruffle needs to be about 2-2.5 inches wide and made in a figure of 8, sewn down the centre to hold its shape before attaching to the train lining. If the train has a sewn-in lining, the ruffle can be attached by machine or hand over the previous middle stitching line. Attach the ruffle so it's between 0.25" and 0.5" from the outer finished edge of the train. Net/tulle is the recommended fabric for the ruffle.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding dress train is an extra length of fabric that extends behind the wedding dress. Trains can add elegance and drama to the bridal look.
There are various types of wedding dress trains, including the Watteau train, chapel train, sweep train, and court train. The Watteau train is attached to the shoulders or back of the dress, giving it a cape-like look. The chapel train extends about 60 inches from the waistline, while the sweep train is shorter, extending only six inches. The court train, on the other hand, starts from the waistline and trails between one and two and a half feet on the ground.
Detachable wedding dress trains offer versatility, allowing you to have two different looks on your wedding day. They are also more affordable than built-in trains and can be removed for the reception, making it easier to move around and dance.
On the wedding day, the Maid-of-Honor (MOH) is typically responsible for adjusting the train to ensure it stays gracefully spread out. They also help keep the train off the ground before the ceremony and during the walk down the aisle. To enhance the flow of the train, you can sew a ruffle on the underside or add a horsehair braid to the hem.
