Bridal gown fabrics

Many of the fabrics used for wedding dresses have special meaning.

Bridal gowns have a rich history – literally! Centuries ago, weddings were more about financial alliances than about love. Brides from wealthy families used fabrics to show just how much money they had. The better the fabrics used in the dress, the wealthier the bride and therefore, the better the marriage. The wedding dress was used as a way to boast about all the money that the bride had in order to make a statement.  Today, the bridal gown is more a personal statement than anything else; however, it still uses many of the fabrics that have special meaning.

Satin 
Satin is commonly used in wedding gowns. The material feels good and looks even better. Because satin is expensive it’s used in bridal dresses more often than in other types of clothing. It is the perfect backdrop for lace and it has an elegant sheen that makes it look luxurious. Satin-covered buttons add elegance to the dress.

Lace
Lace was originally made by hand, making it a very expensive choice for clothing. Using lace in wedding dresses is a symbol of royalty. Today, most lace is machine made, but some expensive lace is still made the old fashioned way by hand. Lace can be used on top of other fabrics or alone, such as in the sleeves of the gown.

Pearls
Pearls are a symbol of peace and purity. Pearls come in many different sizes and shapes. Small pearl beads can be sewn onto the fabric in various patterns. Pearl strands are often worn along with pearl earrings to complete the look. Other beads are often sewn onto fabric in elaborate patterns.

Jewels
Jewels were often sewn into bridal gowns to display the wealth of the bride. Sometimes there were so many jewels that they completely covered the fabric. Today, beads and crystals are often attached to bridal gowns in various patterns. Sometimes the beads are hand-sewn into the gown – an expensive proposition. Other times, beads and jewels are part of the material.