Changing up your wedding day look between the ceremony and reception is definitely a thing. It’s a fun way to express different sides of your bridal style—elegant and dramatic for your vows, chic and carefree for your reception. A separate party dress is one option, but that means taking off the gown you love. That might sound great in theory, but it may be the last thing you’ll want to do on your wedding day, especially if your dress is comfortable and makes you feel beautiful.
So, how do you get the best of both worlds without completely changing outfits? Enter wedding gowns with detachable trains and overskirts!
Convertible Wedding Gowns: Your Ceremony & Reception Dress in One
A wedding dress with a detachable overskirt gives you dramatic elegance for the ceremony and a sleeker silhouette for the reception. You can sweep down the aisle in a gown with a full, swishing skirt, and then afterwards remove your overskirt for a second, lighter look.
Detachable Bridal Trains vs. Overskirts
Both detachable bridal trains and overskirts offer an easy way to transform your gown, but they create slightly different effects. Which one is right for you?
Though they achieve a similarly fabulous effect, a bridal overskirt and a detachable train function differently.
An overskirt typically wraps around your waist and adds volume to your overall silhouette. So, for example, a mermaid wedding dress with a detachable skirt looks like a ballgown or A-line dress. That is, until your big reveal!
Meanwhile, a detachable wedding train extends from the back, adding a trailing effect without changing the look of your gown in front.
Both removable trains and overskirts can be made from all kinds of textiles—lace, the same fabric of your dress, or something light and airy like organza. It all depends on the look and feel you’re going for.
Wedding Dresses with Detachable Overskirts
If glamour and a major change from ceremony to reception are what you’re after, a detachable overskirt delivers!
Just look at the change in our Monica wedding dress! With its sleek column silhouette, it’s effortlessly modern. Add the Monica overskirt and suddenly it becomes a timeless A-line gown—perfect for making an entrance.
Similar to detachable trains, a bridal overskirt doesn’t have to be the same fabric as the gown. Our all-over-lace Muccia wedding gown, is absolutely stunning paired with our Monica overskirt. If airy and ethereal is what you’re after, a detachable organza overskirt will do the trick. It’s incredible the change our silk organza Electra overskirt makes when paired with our Electra wedding dress. The same organza overskirt is stunning with Muccia, too!
Bridal Gowns with Detachable Trains
When you think about adding a train to your wedding dress, there are all kinds of options! One of our favorites is with a belt with long, full tails. The bonus with this detachable train option is that you can also use it to bring in some color! Melody, one of our sweetheart A- line wedding dresses, is lovely alone. But paired with a belt and long, flowing sash, it takes on a classic elegance—especially if you choose a sash in a soft, romantic hue like blush or blue.
A totally different take on tails is our Tamsyn bridal gown. Her curvy mermaid shape is finished with a sumptuous back bow and tails. Though not detachable, they’re easy to style after your ceremony.
The Best of Both Worlds
Why choose between a dramatic ceremony gown and a party-ready reception dress when you can have both? A wedding dress with a detachable train or overskirt lets you create two stunning looks without having to make a full outfit change. Whether you dream of a sweeping train for the aisle or love the idea of a big reveal before your first dance, this versatile bridal trend is the perfect way to elevate your wedding day style.
Ready to find your perfect gown? Explore our bridal gown collection, and if you’d like to see our detachable overskirts and trains in person, visit your local Lea-Ann Belter retailer!
