Your Bridal Gown: This or That?
Let’s start with the most important bridal fabric – the one that you will actually wear yourself! Choosing your bridal gown fabric need not be hard; all you need to do is to ask yourself some questions and look at the corresponding options that go with your answers. Two basic questions about your bridal gown include:
1. Do you want a luxuriously drape-y bridal gown or something light and airy?
Consider movement and weight very carefully. Drape-y bridal gowns elicit some of the most breathless hushes from your guests, but as a bride you also have to think about the weight and how it hugs your body. You wouldn’t want to be dragging your dress around when you move about greeting your guests. The best choice for this is duchess satin, which has a wonderful sheen and feels ultra luxurious on the skin. If you are not going to be moving around so much, this is a great option to explore – especially if you are going to have an indoor reception as it gives off a more formal vibe.
On the other hand, some brides prefer something light and airy. Think vintage, ethereal and outdoorsy – very Pinterest-y! Gowns that are light and airy are very easy to maneuver in, and you will not have a hard time storing it because it packs snugly and does not require as a large a box compared to bigger and heavier gowns. For this, the best material is chiffon – something sheer that can be layered for a more delicate effect while still feeling nice and light. Good quality chiffon also has a nice, silky finish that gives off an extra layer of splendor to your gown.
2. What lining are you considering, and how does this factor in the weather or environmental conditions of your ceremony and reception venues?
Gown lining is a very important component in deciding your dress. True, it is not as exciting as the outer layer but comfort and silhouette relies so much on this so as a discerning bride you would best consider this carefully! If you are investing in amazing underwear that sculpts and hugs your body in the most seamless of ways, you most likely won’t need too heavy a lining. Your best bet is a polyester dress lining that has anti-static properties so you need not worry about the fabric gathering up in an unusual or undesired way.
If the outer part of your gown is heavily embroidered or textured (like lace or organza), a single layer or two of lining should be enough. You have the texture or the embroidery to guard against VPLs (or visible panty lines). If your gown is done in silky smooth duchess satin or taffeta, do several layers more to protect against the dreaded VPLs.
Fabrics for Your Wedding Party
While most of the attention will be on the bride, you cannot forget about the other members of your bridal party who will also share some of the limelight. These days, economizing on your wedding fabrics also means getting the most mileage out of the gowns and dresses – especially since you’ve invested good money in it and would probably want the members of your wedding party to get more wear out of it after the big day.Your Bridesmaids
For your bridesmaids, consider knee length dresses with detachable trimmings so they have a “basic” dress that they can still wear to parties or other formal gatherings (without looking like they indeed just came from a wedding!). If you are working with chiffon, you won’t need too many embellishments since you can experiment with layering to create depth and texture. Organza, on the other hand, is a type of fabric that has a soft sheen to it that can be complemented with a shoulder or neckline detail. Since your girl group is pretty much within the same age as you, keep the dresses “young-looking” and elegant by sticking to understated designs and adornments.
Your Best Gal (AKA, the Maid of Honor)
She’s the one who burns the midnight oil just to help you prepare for your wedding, so naturally your maid of honor – your bestest, best gal! – ought to stand out from the rest of the bridal party. While all your other girlfriends are wearing knee-length dresses, she on the other hand deserves an eye-catching column gown done in either swishy chiffon or figure-flattering smooth taffeta. Keep the dress simple and low-key in terms of details to keep that fresh and young vibe going – and also because her extra-special MOH bouquet will be all the adornment she will need. Veer away from anything lacey or beaded as they tend to look matronly when overdone.
The Little Misses
For your junior bridesmaids and flower girls, taffeta dresses are a fun and feminine option. Taffeta is a material that has a soft rustling sound, which is an extra dose of fun for the little misses who will enjoy that tactile pleasure of their pretty poufy dresses. For an extra shot of fun, floral rosettes on one shoulder or around the empire cut may be considered – and nothing more! Again, lacey fabrics or netting is not recommended – you’ll never know if they’ll start scratching and complaining of itchy fabrics against their skin!
For The Mothers
And let us not forget the beloved mothers of both the bride and groom, who also deserve to look stunning on the day of their children’s union. For the more mature set, lace is a lovely material to explore. It is more forgiving than satin or silk, which are fabrics that, when done wrong, can emphasize a “motherly” figure in a not-so-nice way. Lace looks very elegant combined with beadwork, so the mothers also have a great fitting and tastefully done dress that can also be worn in future events that require them to look regal. If not for a full-body gown, lace also makes a great embellishment and texture for organza or taffeta-based gowns or two-piece outfits.
These simple tips for choosing your bridal fabrics can hopefully do a lot to streamline your choices for yourself and for the important people who will take part in your special day. Keep these tips in mind throughout the design process and remember – stay cool, calm and collected! The best and most comfortable gowns are borne out of shared fun and excitement when planning for it so strive to keep the mood light and relaxed when fabric shopping and dress planning!
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