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Demystifying the wedding train

If there is one factor that sets a bridal dress apart from any other, it is the wedding train. Although there are plenty of wedding dress options that forgo the train entirely and end at knee or ankle-length, wedding dress trains are undoubtedly classic and are the exclusive privilege of first-time brides.

Trains come in various lengths, widths and designs. There are even detachable types, that allow you to dance at your reception without having to bother about it getting in the way. The ideal train length would depend on how formal the function is, the ceremony venue and your comfort. Let us take a look at the most common types of trains and the type of function they are appropriate for.

Cathedral Train

A formal train, this extends to approximately 7 feet beyond your waist. It is dramatic and suitable for traditional church ceremonies or formal weddings, and is majestic in appearance. The train requires setting up when you reach the venue, but you should be able to manage it from there without assistance, unless it is heavily adorned with details. If you do not plan to change your dress for the wedding reception, it is a good idea to opt for a cathedral train that is removable or can be bustled after the wedding ceremony.

Chapel Train

This is shorter than the cathedral train, extending up to 5 feet from your waist. It is one of the most versatile trains, and is suitable for both formal and semi-formal wedding ceremonies. It is easy to set up and will follow you easily once this is done. The chapel train looks best when the dress has a mermaid-inspired silhouette or an A-line skirt.

Court Train

The court train is slightly shorter than the chapel train, but longer than the sweep train. It is also suitable for both semi-formal and formal ceremonies, and is easier to manage without a lot of fuss.

Sweep Train

This is the shortest of the trains, and extends to just a couple of inches beyond the hemline. This is suitable for almost any type of ceremony. It is ideal for an outdoor wedding ceremony, where it wouldn’t be a good idea to have a long train dragging through the ground. The sweep train is stylish, and it balances style and simplicity.

Royal Train

This is the longest and most dramatic of the trains. The royal train, also known as the monarch train, extends to almost 10 feet or more, from your waist. The train is often a masterpiece in itself, embellished and adorned with intricate details. The bride will usually require assistance with this train, and it is not easy to bustle.

When shopping for your wedding dress, don’t forget to take the train length into consideration when you make your final decision. The right length would ideally depend on whether your wedding is a black-tie ceremony or a casual affair, and whether it is to be indoors or outdoors.

Best for Bride features wedding dress collections with varying train lengths. Visit our online collection to find one that you like.

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When You’d Rather Have Cash

Some engaged couples move in together long before they are married and have everything they need, not having to rely on bridal shower and wedding gifts to furnish their homes with a brand new toaster or the newest in entertainment. But many couples, however, struggle with the topic of how to ask for cash from their guests instead of gifts – here are some tips.

First off, it is perfectly acceptable for engaged couples to accept cash gifts if they are not the ones asking for it. Traditional wedding etiquette admonishes asking for cash, but if a wedding guest asks the engaged couple what they’d like, the best way is to tell them that you are thinking of saving for something special, such as an upcoming honeymoon.

Don’t just forgo the wedding registry – there’s always an option to include what you’d like as a gift without going to a department store and scanning towels and linens for people who want to buy you something or give you more than “just cash”. Some people believe that giving a physical gift is tradition at a wedding, so expect that you may get a new shower curtain or something decorative, but there are also sites that allow you to ask for items such as gift cards or cash towards a big purchase or a honeymoon.

One such site is called Tendr where guests can pick cards to send with their well wishes and cash, and they can even use all major credit cards. It doesn’t cost you anything to receive funds and it only costs them 2.7% and $1 for every transaction; likely cheaper than buying a card at a store. The site also tracks all of your gifts received so that you can thank the people who sent them.

Have your gift registry all sorted out? Stop by Best for Bride to start shopping for your wedding and bridesmaid dresses, accessories and more!

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Great Cocktails for the Wedding Reception

A wedding reception is intended to be something fun and a celebration that the bride and groom can enjoy with their wedding guests. One of the best ways to do this is to have a bar on site where guests can enjoy a few fun cocktails throughout the evening.

This is also a great way to make sure that there will be plenty of drinks available when it comes time to enjoy all those wedding day toasts. If you are looking for a fun cocktail to serve at your upcoming wedding, there are many to choose from. But, the options listed below are great for weddings and can add that little something extra to your wedding reception.

Fruity Drinks

These make great options for weddings that are in the summer or have a beach theme. Of course, you may want to have a more manly option available for the men, but this is a fun drink for girls to enjoy. Plus, you can serve it frozen or on the rocks in order to give guests more of an option. Another great idea is to experiment with the different flavor options so that you create a drink that matches the color scheme of your wedding.

Serious Options

Men will probably prefer something a bit more sophisticated than women will. For this reason, drinks like cognac make a perfect addition to any wedding. Make sure that you have plenty of fancy glasses on hand when you choose this drink. That way, even though the drink is simple, you will still be able to dress it up with an awesome looking glass.

Wine or Champagne

Wine is also a popular addition to weddings and one that is certain to be a popular choice. This is also a fantastic option to provide to guests just before the toasts are ready to take place. Remember, there are many different types of wine, but it is common for both red and white wine to be present during a wedding reception. Champagne is also a popular option at weddings as well.

Conclusion

When you are planning your drink selection for your wedding, make sure that you take into consideration that there will also be children present as well. Even though the focus will be on the adults, it is a good idea to include them in on the fun as well. You can do this by bringing in some brightly colored punch or juices that they can enjoy in fun kid safe glasses of their own.

There are many different recipes for drinks that may make your wedding more fun and formal. You may even have a fun day of finding the right recipes by inviting your bridesmaids to try out a few of the recipes that you are considering. This will allow you to find options that are fun and taste great.

Best for Bride

Don’t forget to stop by Best for Bride to find all the wedding supplies that you could possibly need for your wedding. This one stop bridal shop specializes in wedding gowns for every bride as well as every item that you would need for a wedding.

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Some Interesting Wedding Practices and their Origins

Weddings represent some of the best moments in a person’s life and that of his family and friends. Various cultures hold wedding ceremonies filled with all sorts of traditions, some which are controversial. Increase in globalization has led to common adoption of certain mainstream practices which may still have some local touch. The following practices are now common in most weddings around the world, but have you ever wondered to think about their origins? You could be in for a surprise!

The Wedding Ring

Rings were valuable items often used in barter trade in the Middle East and Asia. They were made from precious metals such as Gold or Silver. Till today, rings are exchanged as dowry. However it was Pope Innocent III who popularized the wedding ring worn on the finger through a decree. There is some debate as to why it has to be worn on the third finger, but the popular belief is that it originated from an ancient Egyptian myth that this finger is directly connected to the heart.

Wedding banns or Marriage License

Although the announcement of wedding banns is losing popularity in favor of marriage licenses, they are still quite common in countries with strong Christian following. It is believed that there were introduced to prevent incestuous relationships. During this time anybody could make a claim on the wedding not going ahead because of a possible blood relation between the couple. The modern marriage license only restricts weddings on legal grounds.

The “Best Man”

Until the late 18th century it was common for the bride to be kidnapped from home before the wedding. The suitor/bridegroom often set out with a party of friends to conduct the kidnapping. The one who showed the most skill or bravery in the kidnap became the “best man” at the wedding.

The “White Wedding”

This practice is so common in modern weddings that many may overlook its origins. In fact this practice never existed until two hundred year ago. The bride simple used to appear on the wedding day wearing her best dress. It was Queen Victoria who commissioned a white laced dress for her wedding to Prince Albert.

The “Honey Moon”

In ancient Rome, newly married couples would retreat to seclusion for a period of one month. During this time family members will take turns to deliver “honey wine” which was thought to aid fertility.

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