Wedding dress trains and hemlines.

Our most asked question is how long should a wedding dress be? Well, the answer depends on the look you want to achieve. Be it vintage, modern or traditional, or easy-to-wear casual bridal design. We will cover the most popular hem lengths in this blog post and give alteration tips that may help navigate this question.

Wedding dress train lengths

• Sweep train
• Chapel train
• Cathedral train
• Royal train
• Reveal skirts
• Detachable train
• Train-less wedding dresses

Well, you need not have a train on your wedding dress if you don’t want one. A trainless style is associated with a simple, fun affair and is excellent for a casual wedding ceremony. I’m not saying it is any less glamorous without a train; just easier to move about. There are many different ways to add spellbinding drama to a trainless gown. For instance, a detachable train or a reveal skirt, both of which I will cover below. Now, don’t you think you need to adjust your chosen silhouette just because you want a gown without a train? You can still have a ballgown or fitted style.

The four main lengths of trains are:

1. The sweep-length train

Which is quite descriptive, is a train that just sweeps the ground behind your wedding dress. If you are a shorter bride, you may be lucky and achieve this look by just having your gown shorted in the front and leaving the back at stock length; this will achieve a gorgeous drape or sweep train without additional cost. Yes, there are advantages to being a shorter bride. Nearly Any veil length will suit this length train; however, we recommend it doesn’t exceed 1 meter past the end of the drape. The balance will be out and might look unusual.

2: The popular chapel train.

The chapel-length train is about 1 meter long. This is the most popular train length for brides in Australia. as it gives a dramatic effect for the service and photos and is also manageable. All Leah S design wedding dresses with a train come with a wrist strap for convenience of movement. But it is also an option to have a bustle added in alterations. This will hook your chapel-length train up and keep your hands free for hugging, dancing, and picking up children. 

This train length suits any gown style, including A-line, fitted, or ballgown skirts.

As for the sweep train, you can wear any length of veil with a chapel-length train as long as it doesn’t exceed 1 meter past the end of the train.

3: Cathedral train length.

This is the long lux train of the royals, usually 2 meters or longer, with a wide splay. This train will command attention from all that gaze upon it. It will also keep your bridesmaids busy, making sure it is constantly fluffed out and sitting perfectly. You can use this trail length on any style, including fitted and mermaid styles. But it really is the most dramatic on a ballgown with a full skirt. The long cathedral veil is an amazing addition adding emphasis to the cathedral train.

4: Royal train.

This is the longest and most grandiose train of them all and a favorite of the royals. Usually, it is the ultimate bridal statement. These weddings mostly take place in grand cathedrals of opulent proportions.

The royal train in this environment just makes sure the bride stands out and won’t get lost in the vastness of the venue. But be warned, a train this long is heavy and takes a lot of effort to pull along. (you may have to go into training if you are planning on wearing a royal train on your bridal gown.

This trail may need multiple bustles added in alterations to keep it up and out of the way at the reception.

Reveal skirt

Now, this is theater at its best a reveal skirt is usually an overskirt on a wedding dress that can be taken off to reveal the gown beneath. Usually made of tulle and best worn over an A-line or fitted wedding dress with or without a train. However, your gown train must not exceed the reveal skirt train. The reveal skirt essentially gives you two looks in one. A dramatic long train or ballgown look for the service and photos. And then, once the reveal skirt is taken off for the reception revealing an A-line or fitted bridal gown underneath.

You can wear any style veil with a reveal skirt as long as it doesn’t exceed one meter past the hemline.

Detachable train

This option is similar to the reveal skirt but is usually somewhat see-through and not gathered like the reveal skirt. A removable train is attached at the gown’s waistline and can be removed after the ceremony and photos leaving you with a trainless wedding dress. The removable train is usually a replacement for a long veil with a detail applied to match your gown. You can still wear either a fingertip veil or possibly a single-layer blusher with a detachable train.

Trainless wedding dresses.

It is not essential that you wear a wedding dress with a train. Remember your day your way. With some outdoor settings a train-less gown might be the practical option.

Also if you are on a tight budget a trainless bridal gown is a cheaper option. You can be creative and have the best of both worlds if you wish using a  detachable train or reveal skirt with a sweep. This will mix the traditional with the practical. If you would like to come and try on wedding dresses in Melbourne you can book below.