Yes, I know garters are thrown across the dance floor by the groom to a bachelor guest, but shouldn’t they still be pretty? Long gone are the days when the only option is the version of bad lace and an equally ugly light blue ribbon with a plastic heart in the middle. You know the ones I’m referring to, I know you do!

Today, there are pretty garter options and Florrie Mitton makes some beauties.

all from Florrie Mitton

Cate and the rest of the staff over at Little White Dress Shop in Denver are abuzz about all things related to 2012 gowns. They recently returned from seeing it all live on the runway and shared the trends they saw in a recent newsletter. I thought it would be fun to pass them along and gather your thoughts. Here goes…

Top 2012 Bridal Fashion Trends

• Hints of color!  While ivory remains
  the color of choice for most all bridal gown designers, some colored
  embroidery, fabric, lace or ribbons added here or there is delightful
  in upcoming 2012 bridal gown styles.
• Lace!  Kate Middleton’s wedding gown has
  influenced the 2012 collections!
• Sashes!  What began as THE
  accessory in 2011, continues in full force in 2012!
• Matching Veils!  Check out the MUST
  HAVE gowns with their very own MUST HAVE matching veil arriving at LWD in
  January/February!
• Jackets, portrait collars, one strap options, wraps!  These ”accessories”
  are becoming key pieces in the 2012 collections.
• Hi-low skirts!  Not yet an official
  “trend” for 2012 bridal styles, but definately introduced and VERY
  well done in Claire Pettibone’s new 2012 collection, so it’s a new trend
  to watch.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite trend?

I will second the adoration I’ve heard and read so many others express for Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. In my opinion, it was beautiful, but not overdone; classy and fresh; young, but still appropriate for the inherent conservative nature of a royal wedding; and, she seemed to be genuinely comfortable in it.

Her evening dress was equally as beautiful. I loved the little white angora shrug and just a hint of sparkle in the belt. It was reminiscent of the dress she wore for the ceremony, but more party worthy.

All in all, she hit the mark. As ABC News shared of their interview with Tim Gunn, the coach for Project Runway contestants read:

Gunn had nothing but praise for the newly named duchess of Cambridge, and her wedding dress. In describing her look, Gunn kept repeating the word “ravishing.” When asked to expand on this, he said, “Simply, she took my breath away.”

We’d be missing something not to note the beautiful, modern, streamlined look that was created across the wedding party with all the girls dressed in white. Although it’s common practice in the UK, wedding guests or members of a wedding party dressed in white is traditionally a no-no in the US. But, that may be changing.

A wedding party dressed in white can be appropriate for summer or winter and can lend itself toward almost any setting, especially a beautiful Colorado mountain wedding location where color just seems to detract from the landscape’s beauty.

It’s modern, it’s unique and hopefully, it will be trend that hops across the pond!