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Traditional & Custom Wedding Ceremonies

There is a great variety in fabrics used for wedding dresses and accessories. Knowing the basics of these materials may help you as you shop around for and/or design your dream dress. Keep in mind that fabrics change somewhat with the season; crepe, taffeta, satin, moire, brocade, velvet and peau de soie are popular for the fall and winter while chiffon, lace, linen, pique, eyelet, light-weight satin and dotted swiss are more traditional for spring and summer. Following is a list of the most common fabrics.

Batiste: soft, delicate summer fabric made of cotton, cotton-linen or cotton-polyester blend; fine and sheer texture; usually pure white.

Brocade: heavier fabric with interwoven or embossed designs; usually used for winter but can be used in other seasons, depending on style.

Charmeuse: lightweight, smooth, semi-lustrous silk or synthetic.

Chiffon: floating, romantic fabric with simple weave; often of silk or rayon, but also available (and less expensive) in polyester-silk blend; soft or stiff finish that is delicately sheer; often designed in layers.

Chintz: cotton fabric with glazed finish.

Crepe: soft, fluid, summer fabric of silk, cotton, polyester or rayon; finely crinkled or ridged texture.

Crepe de Chine: soft, light, thin, floating fabric of silk, rayon or polyester; used primarily for informal fall or winter gowns.

Crinoline: underskirt foundation to extend the wedding gown skirt.

English Net: fine, sheer cotton netting; appliqued with lace or left sheer; traditional but expensive.

Eyelet: silk, cotton, or cotton-polyester open-weave embroidery used for decoration; small round, holes finished at edges with lace and/or embroidery.

Faille: heavier, crisp, flat-ribbed, full-bodied fabric of silk, rayon, or polyester; used mostly for fall and winter weddings.

Georgette: silk or synthetic crepe with dull texture.

Illusion: silk tulle or nylon material for veils.

Jersey: available in variety of blends, wool, silk, rayon; fluid draping material; matte or lustered finish.

Linen: from flax; beautiful, durable, elegant with natural luster; usually blended to reduce wrinkling; used for spring and summer weddings.

Moire: silk taffeta that glistens like water when illuminated.

Organdy: very fine, sheer fabric, usually cotton, with stiff finish.

Organza: sheer, crisply textured fabric of silk or less expensive polyester blends; almost transparent; often appliqued.

Peau de soie: usually winter dress material made of blended fabrics; light, silky texture; dull, satin-like finish.

Pique: ribbed fabric known for its distinct texture; made of cotton, rayon or silk.

Satin: silk or synthetic/blend material with smooth, usually shiny (or delustered), unbroken surface.

Silk: beautiful, luxurious natural fabric; available in variety of weaves and weights. Silk chiffon is sheer and drapes well; silk brocade is stiff and elegant.

Shantung: rough-textured plain-weave silk or man-made fiber.

Silk-faced Satin: full-bodied satin with antique sheen.

Slipper Satin: lustrous, light, soft, more closely woven satin fabric made primarily of acetate.

Taffeta: crisp, smooth, glossy fabric in silk or silk blends; small crosswise web; good body and rustle; year-round fabric (tissue-weight).

Tulle: fine, sheer, romantic net fabric of cotton, nylon, rayon or silk.

Velvet: cold-weather fabric made of silk, cotton, or a silk-cotton blend; thick, soft, pile with matte finish; cotton has best body and richness.

Voile: light, open-weave fabric of wool, silk, cotton, or cotton-polyester blend; for more informal dresses.

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