Material thoughts may not be part of your deliberations as you search for the perfect wedding dress.

But the fiber and the fabric you choose will influence the cost and durability of your gown and may even determine how comfortable you are on your wedding day.

Before you start shopping know the terms, says Bridget Barenberg.

"Some brides don't know the difference between fiber content and fabric type," says Barenberg, who buys bridal fabrics for the Denver Fabrics stores in Denver, Colo.

Silk, cotton, linen and polyester are fibers that are woven into fabric; satin, chiffon, charmeuse and crepe are the fabrics.

To find the dress that best suits your needs, consider the fiber and fabric as well as the style, says Barenberg.

Polyester, for example, doesn't wrinkle much, and is less expensive than natural fibers. That's an advantage if you're on a budget or concerned about how your dress will look after a few hours. However, polyester isn't a natural fiber so it's not breathable. On a hot day a polyester gown may be uncomfortable.

You can compensate, says Barenberg, by lining a polyester dress with rayon.

"It's cooler against your skin and is very comfortable," she says.

Silk?

"There's nothing like it," says Barenberg. "Silk in a charmeuse is flowing and draping. Silk dupioni, which is easy to work with, is hot right now."

Unfortunately silk can deteriorate over time. If you want to preserve your wedding dress for future generations, have it professionally cleaned and wrapped.

Some people like linen for casual outdoor weddings, but it's usually stiff and wrinkles easily. Barenberg says she doesn't see too much call for it.

Here are some fabric choices to consider:

Charmeuse: A lightweight fabric that's usually made from silk or polyester. It's smooth and soft and drapes beautifully.

Chiffon: A plain, woven sheer fabric with a soft drape. Chiffon can be made from silk, polyester or rayon.

Dupioni: A plain weave using yarns to create a fabric with surface slubs. In silk, dupioni has a distinctive rustle and sleek luster.

Georgette: A lightweight fabric that's usually made of silk or polyester. It's heavier and less transparent than chiffon. The fibers in the fabric are twisted, which give georgette a springy quality. You may see this more often in a mother-of-the-bride dress.

Peau de Soie: Made from silk, or from polyester (the phrase means skin of silk), this fabric is medium to heavy. The fabric's dull luster is more flattering to heavyset women than high-luster satins would be. Polyester peau de soie doesn't water spot as easily as silk.

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