Continuing our review of the world of weddings in 2011, today we're checking out the wedding trends that were red-hot in 2011. We actually had a bash at predicting what the really big wedding trends of 2011 would be back in January of this year, so you can see how we fared. The problem with making these kinds of predictions, is that there is a big difference between emerging international wedding trends and what's becoming de rigeur at Irish weddings. Typically Irish weddings are about 2 years behind the US, so some of these trends may not seem super new to our American readers, but were very big this year at Irish weddings...
Bunting
Images: Susan Dean via Southern Weddings | Nicola Webster |Mo Hines Photography
This one was a BIG YAY! from the One Fab Day ladies - grooms have decided to step up to the plate and not just let the brides take all the limelight - we've seen grooms in Ireland start to release their inner fashionista and start getting stylish - from waistcoats and braces to moustaches, dicky bows and hats, these lads are showing that it's their One Fab Day to shine too!
Moathill Photography | Solas Photography | La Dolce Vita Studio via 100 Layer Cake | Blue Window Creative via Ruffled
After being seen at the Oscar De La Renta bridal runway show earlier this year, brides went ker-az-ee for baby's breath or gypsophila to give it its proper name. This cheap and cheerful flower was in everything from bouquets to fantastic decor, and best of all it doesn't break the budget.
Jonathan Ong via Ruffled | Shannon Mathis Photography via Style Me Pretty | Madalina Lesan via United with Love
Scrabble was really a 2010 trend in the US but Irish brides embraced it this year using those cute little tiles to adorn cufflinks, caketoppers, it appeared in stationery and was even used to write message on their bouquets.
Robert Sukrachand via Style Me Pretty | Jagger Photography via Inspired By This | JL Photographers via Style Me Pretty
No surprise that Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Dress set the bar for many a bride this year - it was one of our predictions that her wedding would set many of the wedding trends 2011, and her wedding dress was bound to be the frontrunner. In the end her lacy Alexander McQueen wedding dress spawned lots of copycats but rather than a full-on cloning, we've seen brides go gaga for the lacy sleeves of her dress - perfect for those of us with less than perfect limbs.
Oscar de la Renta | Cymbeline | Cymbeline
There was a real move towards cheap and cheerful among the wedding trends this year, but we don't mean bargain-basement, more that there was a simplicity and creativity in the way that brides approached the wedding decor, and Irish brides doing a little DIY for their day used easily available items and props. Balloons are a perfect example - easy to find and so much fun, they add a bit of frivolity and relaxation to the wedding photos without looking staged or "done".
Amanda Wilcher via Style Me Pretty | Magda Lukas and Christina Brosnan | Jodi Miller Photography via Ruffled
Another example of how couples are becoming more relaxed about their wedding, and letting loose from the "trad-zone" that were Irish weddings, is how Irish brides have embraced the idea of mix and match bridesmaids dresses. Perhaps it's because couples want less of the expense of traditional "bridesmaids" dresses, and are going highstreet which are cheaper and will be wore again. Or perhaps it's because girls look better in their own choices and styles, but we love this trend and hope to see more of it in 2012...
Aaron Delesie via Style Me Pretty | Stephanie Williams | Kellie Kano | Olivia Leigh via Elizabeth Anne Designs
Another one that has been big internationally for a while, but we have seen at many's the real wedding we featured this year - the Wishing Tree has joined the guest book as a staple at wedding receptions around the country. A nice DIY project for Dad or the Groom, these pretty trees can be decorated to match your overall look and make for fabulous keepsakes long after the wedding day is done...
Lisa O’Dwyer and Christina Brosnan |seafoamSAFARI via Etsy| Bartosz Jasal
Evoking a boho spirit, headbands tied around the forehead were the hottest of wedding hair trends in 2011 - Kim Kardashian went more Elizabeth Taylor on it, but in general it was paired with soft locks of tousled hair as brides went more natural and free (please god we're seeing the end of the wedding "updo") and looked more like themselves.
Daily Mail | Luuux | Debbie Carlisle
One that hasn't really hit Ireland yet, but is so big stateside that we had to include it, is the Ribboned Backdrop. A simple way to add a big of glitz or glam to an ordinary venue, these are pretty easy to make (just buy your ribbon in bulk!) so you could wow your guests with your DIY expertise...
Karlisch + Wrubel via Style Me Pretty | Jen Huang via 100 Layer Cake| Fresh in Love via 100 Layer Cake
So what do you think? What other hot trends did you see emerging or going mainstream at Irish weddings this year? Are we on the money with our Hottest Wedding Trends 2011 or way off?
