The long, beautiful train that makes your wedding gown so gorgeous as you walk down the aisle can be a bit of a nuisance during the reception. After all, it is not so easy to dance with a cathedral length train dragging behind you on the dance floor! From bustles to detachable trains to convertible gowns, these are some of the ways to manage your train for the wedding reception.

Most brides will end up bustling the trains of their bridal gowns for the reception. Even if you only have a little sweep train on your gown, it is important to get it up off the floor. Otherwise, the first time you take a step backwards, you are liable to catch your shoe in it and rip the fabric. That is one of the worst sounds a bride can hear! The ideal bustle style will depend on the length and shape of your train.

For a classic A-line with a medium train, a French bustle tends to work well. The fabric is gathered underneath the dress around knee height, which looks very graceful and avoids the dreaded “bubble butt” effect of some bustles. If the bridal gown has a cathedral length train, a double French bustle works well. Small sweep trains can often be bustled with a single tie to the outside of the dress. Make sure any visible bustle fastenings are attractive. One lovely option is a tiny toggle and loop fastener made from decorative items like pearls or crystals which complement the bridal jewelry. It looks a lot better than a random button in the middle of the back of the gown’s skirt.

Detachable trains were huge during the 1960s and can still be found on some gowns today. Usually the gown itself is fairly slender and the train is just a little wider. The fabric for the train attaches at either the waistline of the gown or up near the shoulders, which is called a Watteau train. As with an outside bustle, it is important that the place where the detachable train attaches to the gown looks natural. It should look pretty when the extra piece is on, and just as pretty when it has been removed. Hooks on the train and nearly invisible thread eyes on the gown are an unobtrusive fastening system. If a little more support is needed, a row of buttons can go on the gown, with coordinating loops on the train. Pearl buttons are especially pretty if the bride will be wearing pearl bridal jewelry.

These days it is very popular for the bride to have a fresh new look for the reception. For those brides who do not plan to purchase two separate gowns, there is the convertible bridal gown. It is a style which has a flounce, ruffle, or pleat on the skirt below the knee. After the ceremony, the lower portion of the gown’s skirt is removed, including the train. What remains is a knee length or tea length party dress which is perfect for the reception.

Brides who have very long or heavy trains might wish to consider embracing the trend of a second dress for the wedding reception. Yes, you can bustle a cathedral length train, but dragging all those yards of heavy satin around all night can be pretty cumbersome. If your reception style will be elegant and formal and you do not plan to dance a whole lot, it might be fine; however if you have hired the hottest d.j. in town to spin the latest dance songs at your reception, you don’t want your gown’s train to hold you back.

Author Bio: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, fashion, and trends. Treat yourself to bridal jewelry from http://silverlandjewelry.com/ for your special day and receive complimentary shipping on your jewelry order over $99.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: bridal jewelry, wedding gown train, bridal gown bustle, detachable train, convertible wedding gown