I’m excited about what’s in store for clothing trends in general in the coming year, but wedding dresses are taking a real turn in differentiating themselves from their past ho-hum designs. We’re seeing a real shift in creating new and exciting visual elements that in the past, have been considered too risky for the everyday bride. But, these days, brides are getting bored with what our mothers wore, and are looking for lovely alternatives- which makes this lady with an eye candy addiction, very happy. Here are some of my favorite trends in wedding dresses for 2012.

Lace! What girly girl doesn’t love lots and lots of soft, feminine lace? For ages, it’s been a go-to trim on higher-end clothing, for women and girls of all ages. This old fashioned add-on went to the wayside for decades, but it’s coming back in full force in an updated and new way. Designers are using it creatively to create vintage yet extremely sexy couture in wedding dresses that will make your grandmother’s jaw drop.

Who says wedding dresses have to be white anymore? They don’t. If you’re getting married in 2012, don’t feel like you have to be confined by this overused and quite simply boring color on your wedding day. Wedding dresses are being splashed with not only white tones, but actual colors such as green and pink. Blushes are so lovely and very in style. Silver is a very sophisticated alternative to white, but still nods at this tradition. I was skeptical when I heard that silver was making a shine in 2012 on trendy wedding dresses, but when I saw the actual dresses, I became a real believer.

Textures, extreme to behold, are finding their way onto the runways. I’m not completely sold on this trend, but to each their own. I do enjoy the inventiveness and the courageousness of these beautiful textures, many of them looking like they’d take weeks to create on a dress. Extreme workmanship often means more than any amounts of bells and whistles you can toss onto a dress.
Designers are paying more attention to necklines, illusion necklines to be exact. These pretty necklines offer a sense of modesty while cheekily bearing skin, all while making the top half of your bust look pretty and elegant. These are perfect elements on a wedding dress. I particularly like the ones that go up the neck. Paired with a pretty up-do on your special day, you’ll look ravishingly Victorian- one of my favorite themes in style.

These trends aren’t the only ones making their way into our hearts and on our wedding dresses in 2012. If you’re planning your wedding for the coming year and haven’t decided on your dress yet, think about incorporating one of these elements. They’re daring, lovely, and one of a kid for sure.