To Train or Not to Train: Getting on the Right Track with Your Dress
Should you get a wedding dress with a train? Are there benefits and downfalls to having a train? When you go shopping for a wedding dress you will be confronted with all sorts of gown lengths, including a variety of trains. It is important that you know a little bit about the types of trains available and if they are appropriate for your wedding day.
The Brush Train
The brush train is the shortest of all the wedding gown trains. If you are considering getting a gown with a train, but you are just not sure if you want one, then this may be the train for you. It just barely touches the ground behind your dress, so you don’t have to worry about tripping over the train or having someone step on it. It is the most flexible of the trains. You don’t have to worry about bustling up the train after the wedding, because it is “barely there.” It can be worn at any season or style wedding.
The Court Train
A little longer than the brush train, the court train extends three feet behind the waist. If you want a more pronounced train, but still want the flexibility, then this train may be your choice. It can be worn for any season or type of wedding. However, it can be a little troublesome if your wedding is being held outside on the grass or in the sand. It can get dirty as it drags along the ground.
The Chapel Train
Extending five feet from the waist, the chapel train makes a bigger statement without getting too long. It adds to the formality and elegance of a dress, but can be a problem for outdoor weddings. You will also need to be careful around others, because it gets easier for people to trip or stand on your dress causing stains and tears.
The Cathedral Train
Adding an extra two feet onto a chapel train will give you the cathedral train. It is an elegant train that is ideal for more formal or traditional weddings. It should not be used for weddings on grass or sand, but it is very appropriate for the traditional church wedding. This style will require the assistance of an attendant to make sure that it remains in order behind you as you walk down the aisle. At the reception, the dress will need to be bustled or held up to avoid tripping or tearing of the dress.
The Royal Train
Want to make a true statement at your wedding? The royal train is the grandest of all the trains. It extends 10 feet from the waist, and it spreads out across the aisle as you make your way to the altar. This train should be used only for the most formal comparisons, otherwise the dress will overshadow the rest of the wedding and look out of place. Also, you will absolutely need help with this train to make sure the fabric lays correctly. The dress will also require a bustle at the reception if you plan to dance or move around easily. However, if you are looking to be a queen for a day, this may be the train for you.
The Watteau
The wattteau is a different kind of train. It is a single panel of fabric that attaches to the top of your dress. Some watteaus attach at the shoulders and others attach at the back of the bodice. The length can be adjusted to your preference, as some watteaus are only as long as the dress and some extend beyond it. It is a versatile train and can be designed for the style of any occasion.
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