Train and Veil

[PrairieDawn]

These days I know that a bride's preference influences the length of train and veil. I'm curious, though, if there is a written tradition or even ettiquette about how one is "supposed" to choose these things?


...Pam

[*Diane*]

I can't find it immediately in writing but the length of train and veil are tied to the level of formality. Unless a bride is marrying in an evening wedding in a church with a formal service, she should not have a train over 5 feet. That is strictly from my memory.

[Maria 05]

Oh I didnt know that. Wow. I thought it depended on the lenght of the center alise so long as the bride wasnt at the altar and the veil or train was still at the door I didnt think it mattered

[PrairieDawn]

That makes sense, Maria. Although the length of the centre aisle may have something to do with the formality of the church, then, right? Chappel, cathedral, etc.

...Pam

[Maria 05]

true but I dont think it matters so much Pam I mean no one is going to be ratty because the bride wore a catedrial length veil in a chapel! (Im tired my spelling is gone to pot) They will be more upset because they had to sit beside great aunt Betty who cant say a good word about anyone or the food was yacky

[Winter_Bride]

Here's a few things I've googled:

http://www.bridalfashionmall.com/choose_veil.html (looks like length of train and height of bride determines veil length according to here!)

http://www.bridalbasics.ca/article.veilinfo.html (after the headpieces is veil length, and here it talks about formality of the wedding...)

http://www.wedalert.com/content/articles/WeddingGown_TrainLength.asp (this talks about formality of the wedding in relation to train length)

Hope these help!!

[Sk8ermaiden]

I totally hear what you're saying Maria, and I think everyone agrees, it's totally up to the bride, but I think Pam was just asking about the "tradition" for veil and train lengths.

I had heard that the train length was dependent on formality, and the veil for the most part depended on the dress.

[laurak83]

this must have been a rule at one point in time, because my father insisted he couldn't buy a tux until he knew what level of formality the wedding we are having was. He then insisted that I couldn't wear a long veil because the guests would be confused about the formality of our not-so-formal wedding.

I personally don't think it matters in "modern" times. I've been to all kinds of formalities of weddings with all lengths of veils and all lengths of dress trains.

[Mandy]

Diane is correct. The time of day, length of the bride's and BM's dresses, and even the style of the tuxes all tie in to create the "formality" of the wedding. We had an evening wedding, and I wore my cathedral length veil.

Awesome question! :)