The answer to why do wedding dresses have trains is it’s used to be attributed to wealth. You will know more about this interesting history in more detail below.
Understandably, the size of the wedding dress train can make it challenging to move around. This is why we will also share some tips on walking with one and how to remove it appropriately.
For everything related to wedding dresses, we recommend browsing our blog. You will learn tutorials like how to add sleeves to a wedding dress to ensure that you feel and look good with your wedding attire.
Here Is The Reason Why Do Wedding Dresses Have Trains
Back in the day, weddings are more than just the union of the bride and groom. It is also an opportunity for the people involved to show their wealth to the guests.
And since the wedding dress train serves no purpose, having this extra material on the wedding dress can be attributed to the family’s wealth. The longer the train on the wedding dress, the more it’s assumed that the family is even wealthier.
Another relation of having a train to the wedding dress is that it symbolizes the closeness of the bride’s family to the royal family. Certain train styles can indicate the bride’s ties with prestigious families as non-royals were only allowed to wear some trains.
Nowadays, the history of wedding dress trains is no longer valid because materials and fabrics have also become affordable. The bride can then decide the train style or if she even wants a train, regardless of her family’s status.
What Are The Different Types Of Wedding Dress Trains?
Cathedral
One of the most eye-catching wedding dress trains is the Cathedral train because of its length. It is ideal for a grand wedding because it’s typically 22 inches long, which would look fantastic for ball gowns.
Sweep
If you prefer a shorter train, the shortest one is the sweep train. It is usually only 6 inches long, making it practical if your wedding is outdoor.
Court
A slightly longer train than the sweep train is the court train. This type will look great on mermaid dresses as it looks more sophisticated, extending from the gown’s waist.
Chapel
A beautiful train to consider for the undecided bride is the chapel train. It’s not too grand nor casual at 12 inches long. This is why it’s often the most favored train, and it looks especially great with A-line wedding dresses.
Royal
The Cathedral train is not the longest, but the royal is over a yard long. This is why it’s only familiar with royal brides and reserved for extravagant weddings.
Watteau
If you’re a bride who wants to be unconventional, consider the Watteau train. It’s a combination of train and veil for a unique look, and it’s easily detachable than traditional trains.
How Do You Walk On A Wedding Dress Train?
Do not be overwhelmed by the idea of walking in your wedding dress with a train. You only need to keep elegance and gracefulness in mind.
Walk slowly and consider picking it from the back center with one hand, especially if the train is long. However, keep your hand relaxed at the side to help you look more elegant but effortless.
If you must walk backward, turn around by walking in a circle that the train edge will make. Remember that it’s impossible to step back when your dress has a train.
Who carries the train of a wedding dress?
There is no specific rule on who should hold the wedding dress train when you walk down the aisle. Traditionally, you will carry it yourself then your maid of honor will assist in adjusting and positioning it perfectly once you’re at the end of the aisle.
However, there are instances where the train is too long or voluminous that the wedding party also has a train bearer. From the name itself, this role is meant for holding the bride’s train and keeping it straight; sometimes, the train bearer is a pair for holding both corners of the bridal train.
Can You Remove A Train From A Wedding Dress?
You can remove the wedding dress train, as some are even designed to be easily detachable. Another common practice is to bustle it so the bride can wear the same dress without the train at the reception.
During the final wedding dress fitting, it’s best to bring your maid of honor with you so she can be guided by the dress designer on bustling the dress.
Can you wear a wedding dress without a train?
Some brides prefer their dress to be trainless, and it’s entirely acceptable. The location might be set outdoors, and it would be impractical to walk with a train, or simply because having a train doesn’t suit their fashion taste.
Read how to bustle a wedding dress with a tulle overlay to know more about this practice.
Conclusion
And that’s it! You’ve just learned why do wedding dresses have trains, and it’s because it’s used to symbolize wealth.
Back then, the longer the bridal train was, the wealthier the family is assumed. It was also used to show the bride’s family’s closeness to prestigious people.
We hope this brief history satisfied your curiosity; leave us a question if you have any.