Bridal fabrics required for custom-made wedding dresses and veils come in a vast variety. They range from lightweight floating tulle and organza to heavier fabrics like Duchess satin and guipure lace, you can make your wedding memorable by the fabric choice, design, and style you choose for your bridal attire.
How do you know what best to choose for your special wedding gown and your bridesmaids’ dresses? Before you can answer these questions, you’ll need to consider these.
Event – Will the event be a casual, informal, or formal one, and will it be an indoor or outdoor wedding affair?
Theme – Are you planning a themed wedding, or will it be the usual wedding theme which many times are hardly discernible?
Style – Do you plan a wedding filled with pomp and pageantry, something whimsical, or a simple and understated event?
Comfort – Does comfort come first for you? How comfortable will you feel a few hours into the ceremony?
Having answers to these questions should be a part of your planning process because it will help in no small measure in ensuring that your look and style look absolutely perfect for your day. To have attire made specially, one that fits in with the occasion, it is good to understand the basics of the suitable fabrics for your needs.
What Are the Most Suitable Bridal Fabrics?
There are two major categories of fabrics best suited for wedding dresses and bridal veils; soft fabrics and heavier structured ones. While you can make dresses with a combination of both categories of fabrics, some can be made entirely from structured fabrics. However, the popular trend is to have a mix of both types of material because they both constitute important segments of the wedding outfit as a whole.
Structured Fabrics
A structured fabric is made with different weaving techniques. They are characterised by their combination of fine and coarse yarns woven into the material. Structured bridal dress fabrics have wonderful properties which include:
- Softness
- Elaborate details
- Volume
- Versatility
Soft Fabrics
These are just what they are called, soft. They are sometimes sheer, but mostly light-weight and fluid, and move and flow easily when made into gowns. Soft fabric dresses are very effective when you want to add an air of softness, gentleness, femininity, and romance to gowns. Deciding on which fabric works best for you will depend on whether it’s an outdoor wedding or an indoor nuptial.
7 Bridal Fabrics Suitable for Wedding Dresses
- Satin
- Organza
- Silk Taffeta
- Tulle
- Georgette
- Chiffon
- Silk
Satin
Satin is one of, if not the most popular fabrics desired by today’s bride. It is a good choice because it is constructed in such a way that its full body and weight allow a dress design to fall graciously in place. This makes it ideal for most shapes or styles of wedding gowns. Duchess satin looks beautiful whether sewn plainly, combined with lace, or adorned with embellishments.
Organza
Organza is a beautiful fabric that makes striking wedding gowns, especially when combined with other fabrics or adorned with lace. It also looks wonderful when embellished with sequins, beads, or diamante stones for a classic look. Without ornamentations, it looks clean and contemporary. Organza is a versatile fine-looking luxury fabric that is also categorised as a structured textile.
Silk Taffeta
A wonderful thing about silk taffeta is its elegance and versatility. Because silk taffeta is crisp and smooth and considered to be one of the high-end materials that make great ball gowns and wedding dresses. Similar to satin but crispier, it comes in a variety of weights and textures. Because it emits a subtly rustling sound, if you find this annoying, you may need to reconsider using this fabric for your gown.
Tulle
Tulle is sheer, airy and gauzy and is a popular choice among brides-to-be. Don’t be deceived by its appearance; it is more durable than you may think. Tulle is often used for bridal veils and layered ballet-style dresses, including undergarments meant to puff outskirts into bell shapes, creating a fairy tale, whimsical, or ethereal look. Tulle is not only pretty and versatile, but it is also lightweight and can be used to make lovely designs of gowns.
Georgette
Light, delicate, and translucent, Georgette fabrics are often used to make wedding dresses that are characterised by excessive draping. This ‘seductive’ fabric can be used for full-skirt designs with overlays, or body-skimming cuts that are fashionable and chic. It can also serve as a veil attachment. If you choose Georgette as the dominant fabric of your wedding gown, because it is so sheer, it will need to be lined.
Chiffon
Chiffon comes in a variety of finishes and weights, so careful thought must be given when choosing chiffon for your wedding dress. It is most often utilised as an overlay or for simple lightweight, wedding gowns. Because the fabric is so sheer and completely see-through, a satin underlay or lining is necessary. Chiffon is perfect for late afternoon wedding ceremonies or evening events.
Silk
Wedding dresses made from silk can be said to be one of the most popular of all bridal fabrics. But this luxury fabric is also the most expensive of materials used for wedding gowns.
It is smooth and divinely soft, giving a beautiful soft feeling when worn. It isn’t surprising that throughout the centuries; silk has been the most sought-after fabric for wedding dresses, much more than any other of the bridal fabrics.
Other Great Fabrics for Wedding Gowns
Asides from all these luxury bridal fabrics mentioned, you can also make wedding dresses with velvet, linen, brocade, and even cotton, including synthetic blends. With a little extra thought and careful consideration, you can choose the right fabric for the wedding dress that will work perfectly for your wedding.