Cathedral Train wedding dresses

What Is a Cathedral Wedding Dress?

One of the features you’ll have to choose as you think about your perfect wedding dress is the length of your train. This is the long, flowing fabric that sweeps the ground behind you as you walk down the aisle.

If you dream of a long, glamorous train trailing your steps, then you’re probably imaging a cathedral wedding gown. The cathedral train is the longest train typically available, though there is an even longer option called the “extended cathedral” or “monarch” train. Most cathedral trains can stretch up to seven feet long, and it will be a defining feature of your dress. It will certainly get the attention of your guests and your fiancé!

Who Should Choose a Cathedral Train Wedding Dress?

Cathedral wedding dresses recall an era of glamorous and traditional weddings. As its name implies, cathedral trains go perfectly with a church wedding, a ceremony at a historic location or a ritzy hotel wedding followed by a black-tie reception. The train pairs beautifully with ball gown wedding dresses, especially if you’re going for the princess look, but it also adds an element of enchantment to A-lines and even mermaid silhouettes.

If you do choose a cathedral train wedding gown, make the most of it in your wedding day pictures. Work with your photographer to stage pictures where your long, beautiful train really shines. Many brides with cathedral trains pose on staircases with their gorgeous train perfectly spread around them.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Cathedral Train

A cathedral wedding dress brings immediate glamour, but it does come with challenges. If you are planning an outdoor ceremony, make sure the “aisle” includes a long carpet so you don’t snag your train on a tree branch or drag it through sand or dirt.

Next, while your cathedral train will make your wedding photos magical, it won’t be easy to move around with that much fabric trailing after you, especially when it’s time to hit the dance floor. To make your life easier, consider a dress with a removable train. You can also use a bustle to bundle your train and keep it out of the way. An increasingly popular option is to switch into a reception dress after the ceremony.

Where to Find Cathedral Train Wedding Dresses

Here at The Knot, we offer cathedral wedding dresses from some of today’s best wedding designers. Use our search feature to filter dresses by silhouettes, price and more. Look through our catalog and start your search for your magical cathedral wedding gown today.