A chapel train extends from the waist and usually reaches about three feet behind the wedding gown.
The chapel train is a popular middle-ground choice in bridal fashion. It is more formal and visible than a sweep train, which barely trails behind the skirt, but it is shorter and easier to manage than a cathedral train. Its proportions suit both traditional church ceremonies and less formal venues.
Train measurements vary among designers, so the three-foot description is a typical guideline rather than a universal legal standard. The train may be built into the skirt or attached as a removable overskirt or separate panel.
A chapel train is often confused with a cathedral train because both create a dramatic aisle effect. Cathedral trains are substantially longer, commonly extending six feet or more from the waist. Royal trains are even more associated with exceptional ceremonial scale.