Material Girl – Designing Your Dream Wedding Dress
When designing your dream wedding dress, choosing a style to suit your shape will be at the top of your priority list; however, just as important is selecting the perfect fabric. Style and fabric go hand-in-hand, and the material you choose will play a big role in the overall shape and drape of your gown, as Chelsea McIntyre discovers.
Your wedding day is a celebration of you and your partner, so it makes sense that your dress should be a reflection of your personality and unique style. Contemporary manufacturing techniques have made a variety of materials available to brides; however, this can also make the fabric decision quite overwhelming.
It’s important to understand the varieties, as different bridal fabrics can create drastically different effects. A dress made of soft silk chiffon would look very different in the same style if it was crafted from heavy silk satin. The fabric, texture and style of your dress will also depend on the season and theme of your wedding.
Having a couture gown made is an excellent choice; in addition to the final product of a dress fit perfectly to your shape, you will have the advantage of your designer’s expert fabric knowledge. Here, we speak to Bernadette Pimenta, designer at BERNADETTE PIMENTA COUTURE, to find her out expertise on the matter.
Seasonal Comfort
One of the biggest factors when choosing your wedding dress fabric is the season in which your ceremony will be held. The last thing you want on the big day is to be sweating in the summer heat or shivering through a winter wedding.
Pimenta advises that silk is the ultimate choice regardless of the season; however, there are many different varieties of silk.
“Floaty soft georgettes and chiffons rule the day for hot summer days. Queen, duchess and silk satins are more often chosen for winter weddings,” says Pimenta.
The other popular choice for wedding dresses is lace, which can be incorporated into almost any style of dress regardless of the season.
Taking Shape
Selecting the style of your dress can take a lot of thought and research. Once you’ve made a decision, it’s important to put the same consideration into the fabric choice to ensure you end up with the perfect silhouette.
“Structured gowns warrant the use of queen, duchess and dupion silk,” says Pimenta.
If you’re dreaming of a gown heavily embellished in crystals or beads, a thicker silk or lace will also help the dress keep its shape under the weight of the embellishments.
If a floaty, romantic gown is more your style, Pimenta suggests “softer silk satins, georgettes and chiffons teamed with soft and delicate French and Italian laces”. Structured and soft fabrics don’t have to be exclusive: floaty chiffon can be layered over a duchess silk skirt to create a full silhouette that still flows delicately.
Since choosing a wedding dress isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ scenario, it can take some time to settle on a style that is the most flattering for your shape.
“A ruched bodice is suitable for small chested brides. The extra fabric up the top will help fill out your upper body and create the illusion of curves,” says Pimenta.
In this case, a heavier weight fabric will hold the structure of the ruching.
For brides with a straighter figure, Pimenta suggests “a sheath dress in a wispy charmeuse that’s cut on the bias”. A fluid silk, such as silk crepe, will work well for a bias cut dress as it drapes and follows contours.
Talking Texture
Just as dress style is a very personal choice, so is the preference of fabric texture. Every wedding dress material has a very unique texture, and taking the time to consider them all will help to ensure you feel comfortable in your dress for the entire day.
As well as having a crisp feel, duchess silk also has a sheen on one side. This gives a dress a luxurious look and can make it easier to slip into.
If you prefer a soft and romantic look, silk chiffon has a light texture and can be very flattering, as it doesn’t hug curves. Silk georgette is another option for a floaty dress. It is closely related to chiffon, but has a crinkly texture.
In Style
Just as different dress shapes call for different fabrics, the theme of your wedding will also play a big role in the material you select.
For a beach wedding, the soft lines of a floaty chiffon or fluid silk will tie in best with the natural elements and water. It’s also a good idea to forgo a long train, which will drag through the sand, in favour of a simpler cut dress.
On the other hand, a church wedding can be an opportunity for a more traditional gown. A structured duchess silk dress with a long lace train will create a dramatic silhouette and suit the formal surroundings.
For weddings in 2014, Pimenta expects double-sided silks coupled with delicate lace to be a popular choice for many brides, as well as embellished and embroidered tulle.
The feminine look of lace is a versatile option for any wedding theme. Channel Kate Middleton’s lace sleeves for a more formal affair, or consider a delicate, all-over lace gown as a stunning option for an outdoor wedding.
Working with a designer and watching your gown take shape can be a wonderful experience. Although the many different choices of style and texture may seem overwhelming, think of it as a chance to let your creative flair run wild and immerse yourself in a world of beautiful laces, sumptuous silks and delicate chiffons.
IMAGE CREDIT: Dansk Photography