Guide to Wedding Dress Train Lengths (Chart in Inches & cm)
Train lengths chart: sweep 6 in, court 9 in, chapel 12–18 in, cathedral 22 in and royal 35 in (89 cm) past the hem, plus the venues and bustles each train needs.
Wedding dress trains are named by how far the fabric reaches along the floor behind the hem. On our chart, a sweep (brush) train extends about 6 in (15 cm), a court train 9 in (23 cm), a chapel train 12–18 in (30–45 cm), a cathedral train 22 in (55 cm) and a royal (monarch) train 35 in (89 cm). Watteau trains fall from the shoulders; detachable trains come off after the ceremony.
Wedding dress train lengths chart by Devotion Dresses
Wedding dress train lengths chart
All lengths are measured on the floor, from the hem of the skirt to the tip of the train.
| Train | Length past the hem | Best for | Bustle for the reception? |
|---|
| Sweep / brush | about 6 in (15 cm) | Beach, garden, city and destination weddings; lots of dancing | Not needed |
| Court | about 9 in (23 cm) | Almost any venue, indoors or out | Rarely needed |
| Chapel | 12–18 in (30–45 cm) | Church aisles and ballrooms | Usually needed |
| Cathedral | about 22 in (55 cm) | Formal ceremonies with a long aisle | Needed |
| Royal / monarch | about 35 in (89 cm) | Very formal ceremonies in large venues | Needed, plus help with the train |
| Watteau | falls from the shoulders; length varies | A cape-like line from the back | Depends on the design |
| Detachable | length varies | A long train for the ceremony only | Not needed once removed |
Why do other guides give longer numbers? Many guides measure a train from the waist rather than from the hem, so the same train sounds several feet long. Definitions of the longest trains also vary between designers: cathedral trains are often described as 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) from the waist, and royal trains as 10 ft (3 m) or more. When you compare dresses, check where the length was measured from.
Types of wedding dress trains
Sweep (brush) train
The shortest train: about 6 in (15 cm) of fabric that just brushes the floor behind you. It lengthens the silhouette without anything to manage, so it suits outdoor, beach and destination weddings and brides who plan to dance all night. It is the most common train in our collection. Example: the Adelle A-line wedding dress. Browse sweep train wedding dresses.
Court train
About 9 in (23 cm) past the hem: a train you can see in photos that still stays easy to walk, sit and dance in. It works for almost any venue, indoors or outdoors. Example: the Estelle mermaid wedding dress. Browse court train wedding dresses.
Estelle mermaid wedding dress with a deep V-neck and a court train
Chapel train
12–18 in (30–45 cm) past the hem. The chapel train is the classic choice for a church aisle or a ballroom: long enough for a graceful entrance and short enough to bustle for the reception. Examples: the Kassandra ball gown and the Amelia A-line wedding dress.
Cathedral train
About 22 in (55 cm) past the hem on our chart. A cathedral train is made for long aisles and formal ceremonies, and it photographs beautifully from behind. Plan a bustle for the reception and ask a bridesmaid to arrange the train at the altar. Example: the Lindsay ball gown.
Lindsay ball gown wedding dress with a high neck and a cathedral train
Royal (monarch) train
About 35 in (89 cm) past the hem (our chart rounds it to 1 m): the longest and most formal train. It needs a large venue, a clear plan for the aisle and the photographs, and attendants to help you move.
Watteau train
A watteau train is attached at the shoulders or upper back rather than at the waist and falls to the floor like a cape. It can end at the hem or continue into a train behind you.
Detachable (convertible) train
A detachable train fastens to the dress for the ceremony and comes off for the reception, so you get a long train for the aisle and freedom to dance afterwards. Example: the Greyla sheath wedding dress. Browse wedding dresses with a removable train.
Greyla sheath wedding dress with a detachable train
No train
Prefer nothing behind you? A dress without a train reaches the floor evenly all the way round, which is practical for city halls, beaches and a long night of dancing. Browse wedding dresses without a train.
How to choose your train length
- Venue: long trains need a long aisle and clean floors; sand, grass and stairs favour a sweep or court train.
- Formality: the longer the train, the more formal the look.
- The reception: from chapel length upwards you will usually need a bustle, or you can choose a detachable train.
- Photographs: longer trains give dramatic shots from behind and from above.
- Your height: a train should be in proportion to the dress and to you. Tell us the height of the shoes you will wear, because the hem and train are cut from your measurements.
Train length at Devotion Dresses
Every Devotion gown is made to your 21 measurements in 8–16 weeks, plus 1–2 weeks for delivery, and each dress lists its train in its details. Many designs also offer a longer train as a paid option on the product page, for example a court or chapel train on a dress that comes with a shorter one, with the price shown before you order. If you would like a different length on another design, ask your consultant before you order.
Wedding dress train FAQs
What is the difference between a chapel and a cathedral train?
Length and formality. On our chart a chapel train extends 12–18 in (30–45 cm) past the hem and a cathedral train about 22 in (55 cm). Chapel is the classic, versatile choice for a church or ballroom; cathedral is for formal ceremonies with a long aisle, and it always needs a bustle for the reception.
What is the difference between a court and a chapel train?
A court train extends about 9 in (23 cm) past the hem and stays easy to manage all day. A chapel train is longer, at 12–18 in (30–45 cm), and usually needs a bustle for dancing.
Which train length is best for a church wedding?
Chapel and cathedral trains suit most church aisles. A royal train needs a long aisle and a very formal ceremony. Walk the aisle at your venue, and ask how much space there is at the altar, before you decide.
Can a cathedral train be shortened to a chapel train?
Often, yes, but it is skilled work: the train has to be reshaped and any lace or beading at the hem refinished, so ask a seamstress to look at the dress first. With a dress that has not been made yet, it is simpler to choose the length you want before production starts.
What is the most popular train length?
Chapel trains are often called the classic choice. In our collection, most dresses have a sweep or court train, because they suit most venues and need little or no bustling.
What is the most formal train?
The royal (monarch) train, at about 35 in (89 cm) past the hem, followed by the cathedral train.
Do I need a bustle?
A sweep train does not need one, and a court train rarely does. Chapel, cathedral and royal trains need a bustle, or a detachable train, so you can walk and dance at the reception.
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