2012 Wedding Trends: Part I

January 5, 2012 By 1 Comment

The new year is upon us, and your 2012 wedding will be here before you know it! We’re sharing what we expect to continue going strong from our 2011 wedding trends list, as well as exploring hot new wedding ideas for 2012. I’m doing an even more detailed list for you this year, so we’re breaking it into two parts (check back tomorrow for round two)!

CLICK ANY REAL WEDDING PHOTO FOR MORE DETAILS AND IMAGES!

  • I’m predicting the overall theme for 2012 weddings will be “Practical Indulgence.” I am finding that couples want to continue with a luxurious, custom feel to their wedding while still spending their budget wisely (no matter the size). You can achieve this by reducing your guest count, but keeping the budget the same, hence you’ll spend the same amount overall, but more per person on things like catering, entertainment, and decor. Having a smaller-than-traditional guest list, comprised of your close friends and family, will allow you the flexibility to keep things personal and enhance the overall experience of your wedding guests.

  • A huge trend in wedding fashion that I am noticing is that brides are opting for maximum comfort on their wedding day by adding straps to strapless wedding gowns (most gowns can have anything from spaghetti straps to cap sleeves added during alterations) or changing from their teetering stilettos at the ceremony into a sparkly pair of ballet flats for the reception. There’s no reason that adjusting your dress repeatedly or blistering your feet in stiff shoes should limit the enjoyment of your wedding day– looking fabulous and feeling fabulous are not mutually exclusive!

    • Photo courtesy of Rochelle Mort Photography

  • When it comes to your bridal party, we expect to see 2012 bridesmaids in mix-and-match dress shapes that flatter their figures and shoes with some personality (perhaps colorful espadrilles for a casual garden wedding, or satin slingbacks in an brighter accent color with a neutral dress), as well as voluminous and natural hair (versus a more rigid up-do).

    • Photo courtesy of Sara Tafoya Photography

  • Brides are also wearing makeup as an accessory, with a dramatic touch like a bold lipstick (for those who regularly wear full makeup) or smoky eye makeup (for those who normally wear lighter or no makeup). It’s important not to completely change your look for your wedding (after all, you want to look like you walking down the aisle and in your photos), but play up your day-to-day look for the special occasion. A professional hair and makeup artist can help you achieve the look you’re after, whether it’s subtle or dramatic, not to mention they’ll style and apply your look to last through the day’s events!

    • Photo courtesy of Weber Photography by Wes + Liz

  • Point and shoot videography is a thing of the past– today’s wedding videos are more like short films, with HD quality and cinematic editing. Check out the clip below of wedding highlights from our friends at Voila Cinematic.

    • Valerie & Scott from Voila Cinematic on Vimeo.

  • One interesting trend in wedding decor goes beyond centerpiece and linen table decor to heighten the drama at your cocktail hour or reception. They’re called theatrical backdrops and include draping, graphic panels, or large scale props to really set the stage for a special evening from ceiling to floor. Our thanks to floral designer Greenery Productions for the examples below.

    • Photos courtesy of Greenery Productions

    We have many more trends to discuss in detail; check back tomorrow for Part II of our 2012 wedding trends blog, including the latest ideas and inspiration for your wedding cake, floral, favors, and more! Are you planning to incorporate any of these trends (or set some of your own)?

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