Wedding Trends Emerging for 2012

In the past, weddings were over the top and flashy. But the 2012 wedding trends seem to be shifting toward more socially responsible, understated weddings. The wedding business has seen a rush of new ideas in the past few years, everything from brightly coloured gowns to highly choreographed first dances.  Trending for weddings in 2012 is an idea that has been lingering around for a couple of years, but now, coming full circle is the Victorian themed wedding.   Perhaps it’s because there has been a surge in retro style in recent years, making everything old, new again, that we have started delving even further back in our history.   Or perhaps the lack of grace in society today has turned people’s attention back to a kinder and gentler time period, when beauty, style and good manners reigned and weddings were huge social occasions.

Brides are now swapping 1000 guests to 100 of their closest friends and family and they are spending less money on more eco-friendly things. Times are changing, and here’s how you can keep up. Many brides are giving up traditional wedding planning and opting for a green wedding.  Choosing locally grown flowers, recycled invitations, and repurposing old items to become centre pieces has become a popular style.  Brides are not only saving money, but the environment as well.  Guests are wowed by the bride’s crafty creativity rather than lavish spending, and the environment doesn’t pay the price.  Not all brides are capable of a totally green wedding, but many are including small touches like donations to environmental charities in their guest’s names as their wedding favours or registering for  eco-friendly honeymoons.

Something old is taking over in 2012. With celebrities embracing old-Hollywood style comes brides embracing vintage everything.   Brides are bringing back just about everything from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s except the puffy sleeved wedding gown. Thrift stores and antique stores are the shops of choice for the 2012 bride.  Seating displays, table settings and decorations are all taking on an aged feel.  Achieve this feeling by including a family tradition started by your great grandmother or putting old wedding photos from both of your families on the tables.

More and more couples are opting to be married in a location other than a church. Outdoor weddings and weddings in interesting locations have become a popular way to make your wedding stand out.  If you are traditional and would like to use a church, try having your reception in a creative space like a museum or park.  Often these types of spaces provide their own decoration and ambiance, and the cost of decorating is minimal.

Sir Paul McCartney’s Wedding to Nancy Shevell

Sir Paul McCartney married Nancy Shevell  at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London on October 9, 2011.  The choice of venue was said to be as a tribute to his first wife, Linda. Among the 30 guests at the ceremony were Barbara Walters, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood and McCartney’s seven-year-old daughter, Beatrice, who served a bridesmaid. The bride wore a long-sleeved, v-neck, ivory dress by her step-daughter, Stella McCartney and clutched a bouquet of mixed colored roses. The inspiration for her wedding gown came from the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, who wore a long-sleeved crepe gown by Mainbocher for her 1937 wedding.  The groom wore a navy suit also designed by his daughter.

During the non-denominational ceremony, McCartney presented his bride with a vintage-style Neil Lane diamond eternity band featuring 5-carats of square cut diamonds set in platinum. At the conclusion, guests tossed white rose petals on the newlyweds as they departed the registrar’s office.

The Duchess of Alba – Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart’s Marriage to Alfonso Diez

On 12 October 1947, the Duchess of Alba married Don Luis Martínez de Irujo y Artázcoz.  He was the  son of the Duke of Sotomayor. The wedding was considered to be the last great feudal wedding in Spain and attracted the attention of the international media. The New York Times called it “the most expensive wedding of the world, rumoured to have cost in the region of 20 million pesetas.  Her lavish wedding nuptials were threatened to overshadow those of the Britain’s Princess Elizabeth (HRH The Queen). Marrying 64 years later, on 5th October 2011, Spain’s premier aristocrat billed her wedding as a small family celebration.  Millions tuned in to their televisions to see coverage of the groom, civil servant Alfonso Diez, arriving at Seville’s Las Dueñas Palace.

Since early morning, well wishers and supporters, wearing traditional Andalucian dress and white wigs, gathered outside Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart’s 16th-century Renaissance property.  A red carpet had been laid outside the estate, which covers 9,542 square metres in the heart of the city, Three priests presided over the Catholic ceremony, which lasted an hour. The service took place in the palace chapel and had been decorated with pink and white flowers arranged by Seville designers Victorio & Lucchino, who were also responsible for the duchess’ shell pink dress. The wedding dress was made from chiffon and lace, embodying romance, with the floaty hemline and billowing sleeves. A flattering, zig-zag gauze boat neckline perfectly complemented the intricate embellishment, whilst the mint green ribbon around the waist cinched the silhouette for a delicate, feminine finish. The vintage-style gown was less flamboyant than her usual bohemian costumes, as the designers, who were also guests at the ceremony, said they wanted the dress to have an ‘Andalusian flourish’. Every television station carried extensive coverage of the big day, with presenters even dressed up in wedding finery.

Zara Phillips’ Marriage to Mike Tindall

On Saturday 30th July 2011, in keeping with the wedding itself, the truly breathtaking bride opted for an understated yet elegant look. Exuding happiness, Zara Phillips was an angelic vision, wearing a simple ivory silk dress on the day she sealed her love with Mike Tindall. Fashioned by designer Stewart Parvin, one of her grandmother the Queen’s favourite couturiers, her dress was a stunning creation. The young royal selected the gown from bridal shop The White Room, close to her home in Gloustershire. Simple yet sculpted, the shape of the graceful gown accentuated her enviable silhouette and gave centre stage to Zara’s natural charm. The dropped-waist bustier was a showed her youthful and fashion-forward style, while the gently curving organza straps lent a sophistication to the simple dress. Boasting extravagant layers of silk tulle, the veil cascaded over her pleated full skirt and modest train to form a perfect teardrop.

It was held gently in place by the Greek ‘Key’ tiara, lent to Zara by her mother, Princess Anne. It was once owned by Princess Alice, the mother of Prince Philip. The dazzling creation consists of a brilliant cut diamond surrounded by a diamond wreath, and sat perfectly upon the bride’s hair, which had been swept up into a chic chignon. It was accompanied by a pair of her mother’s diamond drop earrings. Ever the fashionista, Zara completed the modern look with a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. In her hand she held a lush bouquet of white calla lillies, put together by Paul Thomas. Her makeup was rumoured to be by Bobbi Brown Bridal.

Zara was accompanied by her proud father, Captain Mark Phillips, who escorted her from the car to the church. Seconds before she entered, Zara turned and waved to the several thousand who have been patiently waiting in the streets for her arrival. Her groom arrived over an hour before the wedding – to the pleasant surprise of guests and media alike. The Queen, the Cambridges, Prince Harry, Princess Anne and many from the world of sport and TV made up the happy congregation.

Prince William’s Marriage to Kate Middleton

The 29th April 2011 marked the day that Prince William married Kate Middleton.  With baited breath millions of people tuned into their televisions to view the wedding of the decade.  The streets of London were lined with well wishers and supporters, many having camped out for days. The wedding dress was Britains best kept secret, and it was well worth the wait.  Emerging from the Phantom Rolls Royce VI that had led her, on her final journey as Miss Middleton, Kate was an angelic vision, in ivory silk tulle. As she took her father’s arm to make her way up the steps to her Prince in a vintage Alexander McQueen gown customised by Sarah Burton,  Kate was met with gasps from the crowd.

The train was, at 2 metres 70 centimetres, and had to be carefully arranged at the door of the Abbey by her maid of honour, sister Pippa, who also turned heads. Inside the reaction was the same – the stunned crowd visibly held back tears as she sashayed past in her beautiful ivory and white satin gazar couture. The fairytale dress accentuated her slender figure. Its boned bodice started with a gently curving sweetheart neckline, leading to a ruched detail and a full skirt. Following in the traditional footsteps of her predecessors, Kate chose full-length sleeves, featuring an elaborate lace design hand-sewn from individual flowers, perfectly outlining her slim arms.

Her something borrowed was the Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, given to the Queen on her 18th birthday. Her look was finished off beautifully by a pair of drop-diamond earrings. The effect was magnificent, made all the more extravagant when reflected in the lush forest of foliage that filled the Abbey. William could hardly contain his joy, masterfully trying to contain his emotions as he set eyes on his breathtakingly beautiful bride.