Back to:  Home >

News & Articles

Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2012 Revealed

-

From bewitching, fairy-tale-like wedding dresses channeling Snow White and The Huntsman to bachelorette parties with The Hunger Games action, the #1 online wedding planning resource TheKnot.com, today released its annual forecast for the hottest wedding trends for 2012.

Here's a look at the top 10 wedding trends for 2012:

1. "Snow White" Wedding Dresses: Buzzed-about movies Snow White and The Huntsman and Mirror, Mirror will inspire 2012 brides to wear wedding gowns that are light and airy, but with a mysterious and sexy vibe. Vera Wang's stunning witchcraft-inspired 2012 wedding dresses will be the bride's first stop.

2. Enchanting Flowers: The magical settings of these Snow White-inspired movies and even much-anticipated fantasy film The Hobbit will have an effect on wedding decor, with brides opting for a woodsy vibe. Think: soft, decadent bouquets filled with flowers like cabbage roses, peonies and dinner plate dahlias.

3. Watercolor Designs: On dresses, invitations and table designs, watercolor touches give weddings the perfect creative bent for 2012. A-list designer Carolina Herrera showed stunning watercolor prints in her spring 2012 bridal collection. And the color palette to do this in? Pastels like pink and lilac are the "it" colors of 2012!

4. The Hunger Games-Style Bachelor Parties: Forget strippers and booze, the bachelor and bachelorette party of 2012 is giving way to The Hunger Games-style action. While ladies are channeling their inner Jane Bond via programs like Stiletto Spy School where they get to learn defensive tactics, high-speed stunt driving and MacGyver-like survival skills (all while rocking a dress, of course), guys are finally fulfilling their lifelong fantasies of race car driving, learning how to play poker like a pro and even, believe it or not, herding cows and sheep.

5. The Bombshell Bride: Marilyn Monroe wooed a president, was featured on the cover of the first issue of Playboy, is the subject of Oscar-buzzed movie My Week with Marilyn, and is going to make an especially big impression on brides this year. The beauty icon's ability to accentuate her best features, signature pouty lips and slinky dresses (we especially love a number from Reem Acra with a sexy slit up the side!) are the perfect inspiration for bombshell brides.

6. The Panoramic Wedding Portrait: Just like critically acclaimed movie The Artist was shot on film without sound, the trend in wedding photography is to steer away from all the overdone effects (like odd angles and lots of added filters). Instead, photographers are shooting turn-of-the-century-inspired wedding portraits with a formal, classic approach. One shot that's totally mantel-worthy? A panoramic wedding portrait where every single wedding guest is in the photo.

7. Ritzy Ranch Weddings: The setting? A 200-year-old barn complete with long exposed-wood tables, large chandeliers and ambient lighting. The flowers? Lace-wrapped bouquets of wild roses, lilies of the valley, Queen Anne's lace and gardenias. The food? Delicate wild game like juniper-spiced venison, cider-braised pheasant and pan-roasted quail, Top Chef: Texas-style. Brides will be channeling the Old West with a rustic-elegant spin a la Lauren Bush and David Lauren's recent nuptials.

8. When Harry Met Sally-Inspired Video Trailers: When it comes to wedding videos, it's not something brides are watching after the wedding anymore. Couples are filming their love stories a la When Harry Met Sally and then showing snippets of it in video e-save-the-dates and having it screened at the wedding...all while guests are being filmed watching it, of course.

9. Long Sleeves & Lace: Brides can thank Kate Middleton and the latest Twilight installment for this wedding fashion trend -- long sleeves and lace! Strapless dresses will still rule the bridal aisle, but expect more coverage for 2012 with a sexy twist. Think: sheer backs and illusion sleeves. And don't be surprised if the look of lace pops up on everything from the wedding cake to the decor.

10. Mega-Moons: Sri Lanka? Check. Patagonia? Check. All in one trip? Check. That's right, for 2012, brides won't be settling on just one dream destination, but instead, they'll be opting for a round-the-world getaway to several far-flung locales. Plus, they'll be virtually bringing their friends with them via social travel apps that crowd-source friend-approved recommendations from resources like Tripl and Gogobot.


 

Featured Luxury Hotels

Featured Luxury Partners

 

 

Las Alamandas - Costalegre, Mexico - Exclusive Luxury Resort Las Alamandas is Mexico's ultimate romantic beach hideaway! A secluded oceanside haven and playful paradise, owned and developed by Ms. Isabel Goldsmith-Patiño, this boutique resort offers the highest standards of luxury, comfort and personalized hospitality.

 

Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden - Austria 5 Star Luxury Resort The new Premium Collection Hotel offers a noble retreat with unique architecture that has been a popular destination for centuries. Glamorous and light-hearted, surrounded by style, tradition and modernity, the Schlosshotel Velden receives its guests with exquisite personalized service

 

Alila Villas Uluwatu - Bali, Indonesia - 5 Star Boutique Luxury Resort Here contemporary Bali-inspired living design seamlessly integrates with personal journeys of cultural richness, continuing the Alila tradition of a total destination experience that is serene, sensual, and surprisingly different

 

Grey Cliffs Ranch - Three Forks, Montana - Luxury Guest Ranch The state of the art 8,000 square foot lodge is the gem in the middle of the 5,200 acre ranch. Worldly decor with a contemporary western feel adorns each room of the lodge. A private two mile driveway winds through the ranch ending at the magnificent lodge.

 

Auberge Saint-Antoine - Quebec City, Canada
Come and discover one of the '100 Best Hotels in the World' named by Travel + Leisure, located in one of UNESCO's World Heritage Cities. Recognized for its charm and quality of service, Auberge Saint-Antoine, located in the Old Port of Quebec City is an unforgettable journey in culture, fine cuisine and the history of New France

 

Blantyre - Lenox, The Berkshires, Mass Experience the opulence of the Gilded Age in the Berkshires. This beautiful region of western Massachusetts is filled with stunning 19th-century architecture, as well as an abundant variety of art. Tour the intimate galleries at the Clark Art Institute and Mass MoCA, dedicated to both performing and contemporary arts.

 

Tauck - Making Connections through Inspirational Travel & Exceptional Choice Tauck connects people and places in more than 110 destinations, offering premier travel guided by knowledgeable Tauck Directors and local experts. Tauck means choice – travel that appeals to different tastes and varying schedules.