Selecting your wedding gown is a very special time. There are important things to consider, in addition to the "pretty" factor. Style and cut are two such points which need to be considered when choosing the fabric. Another determining element is the season. A designer original with a high neck, full sleeve and a-line skirt with a chapel train made from a lovely white velvet would not be the right choice for a Garden Wedding in May. Fabrics are chosen largely for their texture, weight, and how they flow or cling. Most designers choose the softness and elegance only the natural fiber fabrics can offer.

Silk is, undoubtedly, the most popular thread used by designers. When woven in a certain way, or combined with other materials, a vast variety of fabrics is the result. Silk satin is one resulting fabric which is very frequently used by top designers. Duchesse satin is a blend of silk and rayon which results in a lighter, wrinkle resistant fabric. It's also less expensive than pure silk satin. Charmeuse is a soft, lightweight silk satin that has a lower sheen than Duchesse satin and is perfect for the designer gowns that flow and cling. If the designer is looking for a low sheen silk fabric she'd probably use shantung, which has a rough rather nubby texture.

The fabrics that are most used to create those gorgeous ballroom skirts are the filmy, gauze-like silks. Chiffon, French for cloth, is a lightweight sheer fabric that, due to the alternate weave, has a slight pucker in both directions giving it stretch and a slight texture. Chiffon is also a popular choice for illusion sleeves. Silk tulle is the super fine, lightweight netting that many designers use in several layers to produce the poofy skirts and also for bridal veils. Organza is a thin, plain silk weave, stiffer than chiffon, used for bridal gown skirts, sleeves, backs and overlays.

For the bride who would like the effect of brocade without the weight, damask would be the fabric of choice. It's woven with the same raised and lowered areas, so there would be the white-on-white design, and it could be worn comfortably for spring and summer weddings. A designer gown with a crystal-beaded, damask bodice and silk satin skirt with brush train would be a stunning summer choice.

Brocade is a lovely jacquard-woven fabric with a raised design which normally is of beautiful colors, but for a bridal gown could be white-on-white. This is a heavier silk fabric and, therefore, would be a perfect choice for the bride who has set a fall or winter wedding date. Silk faille is another heavier fabric that's ribbed, resembling grosgrain ribbon. A Vera Wang designer original made of silvery white faille would make an absolutely enchanting winter bride.