Weddings, just like fashion, are influenced by trends. Without wedding trends, the wedding industry would die because there would be nothing new to sell to brides. I’m not a trendy person. I don’t own jeggings or five-inch platform heels. Mr. T and I decided early on that we didn’t want to look back on our wedding in 20 years and see the 2012 version of these.
Image via dailymail.co.uk
Image via The Black Tie Blog
In some ways, though, it’s impossible to have a wedding in 2012 and not have it look like it took place in 2012 (unless you deliberately go with a theme). So we decided to embrace the trends we like and not do some of the things that are so hot right now but are decidedly not “us.”
Wedding trends I love (and will incorporate):
Image via BHLDN
Image via Jenny Yoo
Image via Diamond Bridal Gallery / Dress by Aire Barcelona
Wedding trends I like (but will not incorporate):
Image via Dolly Couture
Image via Stephanie Williams Photography
Image via Sara Zarrella Photography
Wedding trends that aren’t my thing:
Image via Style Me Pretty / Photo by Jake Odening Photography
Image via ginabug on Weddingbee
Image via Monika Monowska Photography
What wedding trends do you love and hate?
I don’t particularly like the mustache thing. I like the rustic and vintage vibe on weddings but they’re definetly not my thing.
I’m planning to go with a rustic/vintage theme but I didn’t know it was a trend. Our site is an old mansion with lots of small rooms and (unworking) fireplaces. I think the theme will fit there, plus I’m super old fashioned and into antiques.
I love the photo booth trend. I don’t understand the photography trend of brides and grooms posing angrily.
I. Hate. BURLAP! Honestly, why would you want something associated with horses at your wedding? Burlap is beyond dumb.
I’m with you on not wanting our wedding to appear “dated”. I’ve also embraced the non-white wedding shoe trend though… my shoes are hot pink and I LOVE THEM!
For all the popularity of photo booths in 2011/2012, I still have not been to a wedding that had one!
Unfortunately, I’ve added birdcage veils to that list. I adore them when they’re done right. What I’ve decided, though, is that besides being ubiquitous – they too often look wonky, especially from certain angles.
I do think they’ll look very dated because they’re everywhere now (“ohhh…you got married in 2012, didn’t you?”), although my mother got remarried in one in 1987 and her photo still looks timeless.
Great post! I just do not get the mustaches thing. It’s just strange to me. I’m also not doing a photo booth. I am doing some vintagey/rustic things but like Rachel above, my venue is an old mansion with multiple rooms and fireplaces in each room. So I think my decor will go with the venue!
Haha I love your list. When I first started looking at wedding blogs my FI was like, “What’s with all the mustaches?” Lol it was hard explaining to him that they were “in.” We are not doing a photo booth either. I know people love them but we just didn’t want to do it. I am, however a blue shoe bride, very trendy of me. I was suprised that my consultant was shocked to see my blue shoes at my first fitting, as if I was the first person to think of it…
i agree, totally dislike all the mustaches, but i am having a photobooth. I totally am going with the colored shoe, or lace to match my veil.
As far as trends go, I’m not really into the mustache thing. However, it can be cute too so it’s really not a big deal to me.
I am doing the vintage/eclectic/DIY sort of style for my wedding. However, I am the first bride in my group of friends and family to go down this path. The other weddings I have been to in previous years have done very traditional things with their decor which really isn’t something my fiance or I wanted to do. We really wanted to infuse our personalities into the wedding decor while still keeping a budget and we both love a lot of vintage things so we naturally went down that style path so to speak. 
@MichiganBride2012: THIS! It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life – why are you glaring at the camera like it’s the worst??
I really hate the birdcage veil trend. I think it can end up looking cute, but it is SO trendy right now and will be right back out quickly. I’m a traditionalist, so the only thing I’m really doing “crazy” is the colors – green and pink. But I don’t think I’ll look back and go “eeesh, what was I thinking?!” PS, I might also wear Converse to the reception, but my dress will cover them anyway. My mother SWEARS I’ll regret it, but I really don’t think so. This is me at my age. I might say “what was I thinking?” but I’m embracing my personality at this point in my life. That’s the best any of us can do.
@Lone Star: @Lone Star: @Lone Star:
Uhm… maybe because you’ve been riding horses for 17+ years and plan to come down the aisle on a horse? It’s one thing to dislike a “trend,” quite another to belittle those of us to whom it means something.
That first picture is AWESOME!!!
I’m doing the colored shoes. Mine are going to be dark purple. But nothing else “trendy”. I don’t want my wedding to look dated either.
Every time I’m nervous that people are going to thing my wedding is super trendy and like every other wedding being planned this year I remind myself that most people haven’t been to a wedding recently, and usually when I explain my wedding details to people (mason jars, covered books, chalkboards, etc.) they make comments like, “Blue shoes? That’s so fun and creative!”
I’m incorporating all of the below that you are.
non-white shoes – mine are pink
gray bridesmaids’ dresses – Their dresses are light gray
lace – My dress is lace (I agree, its not a trend but its trendy-lately)
And my theme is basically rustic country (mason jars and BURLAP a plenty)
@ Lone Star… I don’t think burlap is “beyond dumb” I think its a different element that not many people in my family have ever seen before. My guests will enjoy the uniqueness about it. I guess I like to be different.
Even if look back at my wedding in 20 years and think it looks 2012ish, I can’t get over the colored shoe trend. I absolutely love it – hence, my blue wedding shoes!
Oh, the mustaches. I never understood them, never will. But we did lots of trendy things that I’m sure other people don’t understand, so who am I to judge 
you all sound like crazy brides to me lol…I reaaaally don’t see the big deal in being dated…I mean eventually you won’t be around at all so why wouldn’t you just incorporate stuff that makes you happy be it birdcages or mustaches or whatevs. I read this piece because of that photo you have up of the bride with her gigantic veil…I was intrigued and hoped to see more. It’s all a story, each person’s own, there’s no hard and fast rules. Do whatcha like and don’t let the naysayers get you down!
Mrs. Treasure, Chicago Age and Occupation: 24, Law Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Equity Analyst Engagement Date: July 30, 2011 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Saint James Chapel at Quigley Prep/Murphy Auditorium About Me: I was born and raised in Indiana, but now live in sweet home Chicago. I'm a third-year law student and aspiring trial lawyer, which means Mr. T never wins an argument. Other than Mr. T, I love singing, exploring the Chicago restaurant scene, and Notre Dame football. We met in a musical (just like my parents!) and after 4 years together, we are excited to be planning our urban "destination" wedding.
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