Spring 2011 Wedding Dress Trends
With spring nearly upon us, I can hardly wait for the blossoms to start blooming to see what Aussie brides will be wearing to walk down the aisle! The international trends that will be hitting our shores shortly guarantee that we are in for some splendid, unique and positively stunning gowns!
Lace, lace and a little more lace
Lace has certainly always been very popular for brides, but thanks to the divine Ms Kate Middleton, lace is well and truly a hot favourite for brides this spring. From full lace overlays, to a flattering lace bodice and delicate lace appliqué detail, we are sure to see lots of it in all its glory.
These two stunning gowns from the Oscar De La Renta and Vera Wang 2012 collections are just two examples of many many lace gowns we will be seeing this spring.
Sleek and sexy
As much of an impact as the stunning Kate has had on our bridal fashion, I have a feeling the show-stopping Pippa and her now infamous derrière will cause more of a stir at our spring weddings than could ever have been imagined. As she walked down that aisle and the world caught a glimpse of her stunning figure in that perfectly simple, sleek, sheath style dress, the a collective gasp was heard the world over and as dress makers scrambled to decide which gown to copy first.
This divine Pronovias gown just released in their 2012 collection has Pippa Middleton written all over it!
1950's Style
Who could have imagined that Mad Men and its classic fashion would have brides stepping back in time to the figure flattering designs of the 1950s. A tight bodice and cinched waist with a wide skirt are the perfect way to enhance womanly curves and make a statement. The jewel encrusted belts and sashes that were so big last year are still around and are the perfect compliment to accentuate the waist detail on these gowns.
The cinched waist and full skirt of this 2012 collection Pronovias gown is a modern gown with a 1950's edge.
Floral Detail
This is one of my favourite trends and if the international bridal catwalks are anything to go by, Aussie brides will feel the same way! From large floral detail on the waist, to one-shoulder straps of different sized flowers to soft cascading petals covering a gown - flowers are everywhere! There is no mistaking that Monique Lhuillier's inspiration this season has originated in the garden with soft floral detail used on so many gowns. Judging from many of the big bridal houses 2012 collections it is clear that flowers are big, very big!
These magnificent two gowns with floral details from Monique Lhuillier and Amsale are two great examples of this garden inspired trend. 
Beading Highlights
This trend was hot last year and is even hotter this year! Beaded belts and sashes are still very much in demand and who could be surprised when they are so perfectly adept at highlighting your waist and adding a special unique feature to your dress. This year beading is even more popular, with beaded straps, sparkly detail on the bodice and all over jewels making 2011 brides sparkle even more than usual. This divine gown from Amsale with a jewelled belt shows how a little bling can turn a beautiful gown into a masterpiece!
Soft and Floaty
With so many Aussies opting for outdoor weddings it is no surprise that soft and floaty dresses will be huge this season. Layer upon layer of tulle, chiffon and organza make for a gorgeous ethereal look. These dramatic and floaty dresses in Vera Wang's Spring 2012 collection a perfect example of this trend. 
With so many stunning trends to look out for, 2011 is going to be an exciting year for bridal fashion! I am sure that, as usual, Australian brides will draw inspiration from the international bridal catwalks and put their own unique spin on things.
Author ....
Mandy Daddia is the owner of Savvy Brides. Savvy Brides has a range of designer wedding dresses at a fraction of the cost! Brides are able to come in and try on a range of dresses and find their dream designer gown - without the price tag! www.savvybrides.com.au