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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

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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

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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

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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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Bridal Dress Fashions

Planning and carrying out a wedding is tough. Invitations, guests, refreshments, the cake, and all the other members of your wedding party take up so much time, and if you’re like me, everything needs to be just so. If you ask any bride the hardest part about planning a wedding, they won’t say it will be picking the First Dance song, nor will they say it will be what flavor of cake to have. No, the hardest part for any bride is the biggest part of the whole shindig: the dress. Do you want one that’s short? Long? White? Colored? Sleeves? Sleeveless? It seems impossible, but we’re here to help!

Fashion changes so often, and every season brings new ideas, more creative designs, and fresh outlooks on clothing. Here, we’ve detailed the hottest, newest trends to come to bridal dresses this spring.

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Off-the-Shoulder Necklines

Recently, bridal style has favored cap sleeves and one-shoulder dresses, but that will be replaced this year with the off-the-shoulder variety. Looking at the style, it’s no surprise. There is a princess-like quality to the style. Anyone else thinking of Beauty and the Beast? The off-the-shoulder design also gives the bride a greater range of movement, and it’s a perfect draw between sleeveless and straps.

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Color

White dresses will forever be the first pick for brides, but this year, spring is coming in with new colors! Light blues, grays, and even mint greens are making their way into the wedding world. White and cream are beautiful, and the long-held belief that they represent the purity of the bride will never fall out of style, but we can’t deny that the little splash of color is just as refreshing as it is stunning.

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Tulle

Move over silk and lace, because tulle is the new fabric that’s sweeping through the fashion world. Whether used as a beautiful, light-weight overlay or for a full and flowing skirt, tulle is going to be all the rage this spring. It’s the perfect accent material, and will add a brush of class to your wedding dress in a way that no other fabric will.

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Capes

That’s right, ladies. Capes aren’t just for superheroes anymore, though who can deny that a bride is a superhero in her own right? Whether you want to mix it up this year, you want a little extra covering, some added lace, or you’re just going for the dramatic effect, a cape is the perfect addition to your wedding dress. It adds a certain flair, and a bold notion to your big day.

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Collars

Necklines have steadily been rising over the past few seasons, and now they’ve been shifted into full-blown collars. This is an extremely regal and beautiful look, accentuating the neck and shoulders flawlessly – no matter what body type you have. With lacy sleeves, collars can bring out the design. With a sleeveless dress, a collar can give a little added support, plus bring attention to the elegant design. They are as versatile as they are lovely.

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Sleek

Poof is going out, and the sleeker, slimmer version of wedding dresses from the 1920s and 1930s are coming back. History repeats itself, and that holds true for fashion as much as it does for everything else. These frame-hugging dresses are typically paired with smooth fabric or made to dazzle in the lights with jewels and sequins galore. Think flapper, only classier. Sexy, chic, and gorgeous.

 

Styles come and go. They fade in and out like the ocean’s tides, and sometimes it can be just as difficult to keep your footing in the ever-changing fashion world as it can be to keep your footing in the waves as they pull you back towards the sea. Thankfully, Best for Bride is always around to help you find the best dresses that keep up with the latest fashions. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it there.

Be beautiful, brides.

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Hot Trend: Romantic, Poufy Wedding Dresses

Billowy skirts of organza ribbons and streams of satin are a hot trend this year. Some women shrink away from a high-volume skirt for fear it will make her look bigger. However, paired with a slimming bodice, the full, flowing skirt is romantic and flattering on many women. Poufy wedding dresses with sophisticated style are available for brides with a limited budget.

Full skirts are reminiscent of the classic ball gown style wedding dress. The bodice usually fits snugly. The flowing full skirt poufs out from the bottom of the bodice. This look is very traditional and romantic. The skirts may be made fuller with layers of organza or tulle.

Many modern wedding dresses that fit this trend have skirts with waves or ribbons of organza. Some designers adorn the skirt organza and satin flowers for added fullness and romantic flair. Multi-tiered organza is another traditional design for a full, flowing skirt. In the Sophia Tolli Spring 2015 collection, the Nightingale wedding dress is a beautiful ball gown style with a skirt made up of layers of tulle. The crystal hand-beaded lace is the perfect accent for this gown.

Several designers have increased the volume of their ball gown skirts. If you like the trendy fullness, but are not fond of layers of tulle, you may want to look for a classical dress with satin or taffeta skirts. Alfred Angelo has a design, number 758, with a flowing layer of white taffeta that is gathered to the skirt with pretty embellishments. The loose gathering of the outer layer creates added fullness with a style that is elegant and refined. The bodice is embroidered as is the front of the skirt. This dress has a semi-cathedral train which adds to that classical princess style.

Though full, flouncy skirts often are associated with ball gown style wedding dresses, the flowing full skirts of the trend are not limited to this classic style. For example, the ruffled skirt of the mermaid gown in the Mori Lee 2015 collection embraces the trend without being restricted to ball gown wedding dresses.

When choosing a bridal gown with a poufy skirt, avoid a dress that combines the large skirt with a large or loose-fitting bodice. If the bodice has loose layers of satin, poufy sleeves, or large satin flower embellishments, the added size of the bodice is likely to make the woman appear to be larger. A sleek, form-fitting bodice is a must for a billowy skirt.

Even if the bride is on a tight budget, many of these romantic, poufy wedding dresses can be found for under $2,000. The bride can complete the classic bride look with a wedding veil or headpiece. Remember to avoid added bulk to the top. If a woman is concerned about looking larger than she is, she may want to avoid a bulky veil and opt for something simple.

 

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Know these DO NOTs when choosing your wedding dress

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To do things right, we also need to know what not to do. While you research and plan before shopping for a wedding dress, you should also spend some time studying the related “Do Nots”. Over the course of this article, we will reveal what a bride should avoid doing, to make her dress shopping a roaring success. So, let’s start.

Do Not get caught up with the trend

Ruffles or figure-hugging silhouettes may be the hottest wedding dress trends of the day. However, it isn’t wise to pick your wedding dress based on the trend of the moment. Although these details are important,it is more important that you find a silhouette that suits your body type, and a dress that reflects your personality. Your wedding gown should make you feel beautiful, rather than just being the fashionable choice.

Do Not forget about comfort

You may look splendid in a wedding dress, but realize that it is not the one for you if it feels uncomfortable in any way. Since you will be spending several hours wearing it, make sure to avoid choosing one that wouldn’t allow you to relax. Pay particular attention to the top and neckline. Do you feel the plunging neckline of the dress is too revealing for your comfort, or a snugly fitted corset just isn’t for you? If yes, it may be better to continue looking.

Do Not be fixated on specific ideas

Trust your bridal consultant. They are the best people to help you find the dress that flatters your body. Not all dresses possess hanger appeal. So, it may be a good idea to try on that dress before you write it off for how it looks at first sight. Be open to suggestions, and listen to your consultant’s recommendations for silhouettes or patterns that you may not have considered. When you work with an expert, don’t be surprised if you walk away with a dress that you least imagined as “The” one.

Do Not bring too many people when you go shopping

More isn’t merrier, as far as wedding dress appointments go. Too many people mean too many opinions, and all this does is confuse you further. Choose a few favorite girlfriends, maybe your mother, or bridesmaids, who know you best. They should be honest with their opinions, and have good dress sense. Only then can they actually contribute to the experience.

Do Not continue searching, once you find “The Dress”

You will know it once you find the right dress. Trust your instincts. It may perhaps be the first dress or even the tenth one you tried on, but stop looking once you do. Don’t worry about not feeling all emotional about it. Enjoy the moment, make the purchase, schedule your fitting appointments and proceed with the rest of your wedding plans!

Best for Bride brings you the best collection of wedding dresses, and our bridal consultants are experts who can guide you through the process. For more information on our services and to view our collection, visit us today.