The color, the cut, the silhouette, the cost, the embellishments… There are so many things that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a wedding dress. While all of these things are important, there is one factor that is more important than the rest: The fabric.

The fabric sets the stage for your wedding gown. It is the foundation of the entire look. If you want a fashion-forward, totally trend style, lace may not be the best choice for you. Meanwhile, if your wedding is going to be rustic-chic, silk probably isn’t the way to go.

So, how do you know which fabric to choose, or even what types of fabrics there are too choose from? Here is an introductory guide to wedding dress fabrics to help you through process.

Charmeuse

This fabric is light, semi-lustrous and soft. It’s similar to satin in its feel. It hugs to your curves, which makes it an excellent option if you want to show off your figures. Do keep in mind that it is delicate and it can be accident prone, so it may not be the best choice for a beach or outdoor wedding.

Batiste

This soft, lightweight fabric is transparent and has a mercerized finish. It’s strong and has a beautiful sheen. It is either woven with cotton or linen, which allows it to breath and makes it an excellent choice for outdoor or summer weddings.

Brocade

This Jacquard-woven fabric offers a raised design and has a formal look. It is heavy and sturdy, which makes it a wonderful choice for a winter wedding.

Crepe

This soft, lightweight and thin fabric has a crinkled surface that is created with either hard-spun yarn or chemicals. It is a great choice for draping and clings to the body, so if you want to show off your curves, this is an option worth considering.

Duchesse Satin

This fabric is a hybrid of silk and rayon or polyester, which is woven into a satin finish. It is stiffer and lighter than traditional stain, so it not only maintains its shape, but it also drapes nicely. Because it’s heavier in weight than traditional satin, it holds its shape well and is less prone to wrinkling. It’s a good choice if you plan on dancing the night away.

Georgette

This crepe-like material is extremely lightweight. It’s usually made of silk or polyester and has a matte finish, which makes it beautiful for a warm weather wedding, since it’s sheer, but not completely see-through.

Organza

Organza is made of silk and is very crisp and sheer. It’s very similar to tulle, but it flows more. This material is usually used as an overlay on a wedding gown.

Shantung

The rubbed texture of shantung makes it look like raw silk. It’s smooth and holds its shape well. It is one of the most popular fabric choices for a wedding gown.

Illusion

This fabric is woven of net fabrics and is usually used as a decorative element on a wedding gown. It can often be found on sleeves and necklines and is very sheer.

Dupioni

This is the most popular of all of the silk blends that are used for wedding gowns. Dupioni is thick and coarse, and it has raised fibers that give it a rough texture that is absolutely stunning.

Damask

This fabric has a raised design and is woven, which makes it lightweight. This material is perfect for summer or an outdoor wedding because of its light weight.

Faille

This is a more structured silk, which makes it easy to tailor than softer silk options; however, because it is satin, it retains its glossy, woven look.