Bridal Guide to Wedding Dress Fabric:

Choosing or designing your wedding gown is important and the fabric of your gown can make or break the design. Typically bridal gowns are made combining different types of fabrics to make the dress work for each body type. These fabrics are classified as structured and soft fabrics; structured for giving a shape to your gown like a bodice or a slip while the soft fabrics add a certain element of drama or grace.

Here is a bridal guide to wedding dress fabrics with structured and soft elements that will help you design your dream wedding-gown.

Structured Fabrics:
Satin - Satin or duchess satin as it is usually called is one of the most popular fabrics used for a bridal gown. Satin is made from silk while duchess satin (though sounds richer) is a mix of silk and rayon. The fabric has a silky feel and natural shine and hence makes a perfect bodice for lace or figure hugging gowns. Team with a light birdcage veil for added drama.

Taffeta - Similar to satin in its look, taffeta is a crisp and smooth fabric, which is perfect for traditional ball gowns or even modern short wedding dresses. Accessorise with a dramatic earring to elongate the neck !

Organza - Organza is a very deceptive fabric that looks like chiffon but is a lot stiffer so provides a solid structure. Made from silk or rayon this fabric gives the perfect structure to vintage gowns with trains and or full-length skirts. Team with draped hair pearls for an ethereal finish.

Soft Fabrics:
Chiffon - Chiffon is a see-through fabric that adds a stylish look to a structured bodice. The fabric is sheer, light and soft to touch and perfect for modern gowns that are simple yet elegant. Add an unstructured appliqué headpiece to this wedding look.

Lace - Nothing spells class and grace better than lace. A little element of lace can add a rich look to an otherwise plain gown. Sheer lace looks delicate and sexy when used for sleeves or the neck area but also perfect for the entire gown length when teamed with a perfect bodice. Ideal combined with an antique inspired wedding hair comb like the Marquis.

Tulle - Tulle is soft netting made from silk or rayon and a perfect alternate for lace. Brides who find lace fussy and too dramatic can opt for the soft and romantic touch of tulle for the wedding gown. Coordinate with a french net headpiece like the Serena.

By choosing the right fabrics for your special day you can make a wedding gown that is exquisite to look and yet comfortable. Hope this helps you decide on the perfect fabric for your special dress.