Wedding Trends for 2012

Hey Hey it's Friday! No it's not...but it sure feels like it. With this week being the last working week for most in 2011 (not for a sad few, like moi, who is not vacationing this festive season), I decided to do a post on the wedding trends we can see in 2012. From the cake to the dress to the decor, we give you the heads up on what is going to be the big ticket items for 2012:

The Dress

Ok boob tube dresses, your time is up! Lace sleeves are back, as are illusion necklines. It’s so nice to see OTHER kinds of necklines coming to the fore...

Photo credit: {marthastewartweddings.com}

As for colour, Blush is making a comeback and is a pretty acceptable alternative to white.

Photo credit: {greenweddingshoes.com}

Vera Wang went a bit OTT with this one and featured tea-coloured dresses with lace detail on her runway...but we must say, we're liking this trend.

Photo credit: {paperblog.com}

Photography
Engagement Shoots (e-sessions) have become increasingly popular, as it not only helps you get to know your photographer. The other benefit is that it also helps you become comfortable having your photos taken together and you learn how to pose for a flattering shot. By the time your wedding day rolls around, you will feel like a professional model. But remember, this is not a HAVE TO HAVE...it's totally optional. View some e-sessions featured on this blog!

Cake & Food
Cupcakes were a big trend last year, but in 2012 the prediction is taller, sleeker minimalist cakes, with red velvet is a big flavour favourite. Say goodbye to ornate flower detail as well and hello to romantic icing ruffles.

Photo credit: {www.weddingbells.ca}

Dessert tables are also HUGE and this particular food station will include your wedding cake on a pretty, porcelain cake stand, surrounded by a myriad of cookies, macaroons and mini cheesecakes.

Photo credit: {greenweddingshoes.com}

Food stations, as mentioned above, are becoming a permanent fixture at weddings and is more interesting that a standard buffet. Think hot dog and hamburger stations or even just for your canapés as opposed to having them "waitered" around. We love this pie station idea in the pic below:

Photo credit: {greenweddingshoes.com}

Decor
Full-blown themes are in, not just colour schemes. So it's no longer "pink and peach", but "Alice in Wonderland", "Circus Circus" or "The Great Gatsby".

Photo credit: {disneyweddingsblog.com}

Non-floral accents in the form of feathers, fabrics, and metals being incorporated into the wedding decor. Jewelled accents never seem to go out of style!
Photo credit: {www.frankie.com.au}

Personalisation. This isn't necessarily DIY, but aspects like monogrammed invitations, tables named after your favourite movies, songs or books. The sky is the limit with this!
Photo credit: {boards.weddingbee.com}

Venue & reception
2012 will see smaller, more intimate weddings, with a preference for an outdoor ceremony. Venues that can cater for this (such as Toadbury and Hazeldene Hall) are usually also quite nostalgic in architecture, which just adds to the intimate nature of smaller weddings. Long tables are also making a comeback and are perfect for smaller weddings and not only look great, but are ideal for creating a personal and fun atmosphere. Banquet tables are a treat to decorate too as you can use all different centrepieces at certain points on the table such as pillar candles, flowers, tea lights, vases, lanterns etc...

Photo credit: {weddingsonline.ie}

That's it for our trends for 2012! Happy planning xxx