10 top treats for a warm winter wedding

With Christmas looming I thought it pertinent to compile a list of delicious festive treats to serve at a winter wedding, just in case anyone is in need of any inspiration. So here it is, my top 10 treats for a warm winter wedding!

-freshly roasted chestnuts – deliciously nostalgic and comforting.

-hot chocolates with a fresh miniature ring doughnuts (and for added decadence serve with whipped cream and crumbled flake).

-mince pies fresh from the oven – for those who really want to capitalise on the festive cheer.

-egg nogg –creamy comforting goodness in a glass!

-hot canapes – think miniature yorkshire puddings with sliced beef and horseradish or gravy.

-hot chocolate shots – like hot chocolate but better, think a syrupy shot of melted chocolate.

-cranberry glazed turkey skewers – simple, sweet and succulent!

-melting middle chocolate fondants – timeless and universally popular I believe

-hot scotch eggs – another classic! For a more delicate, contemporary twist, use quail eggs instead of chicken egg.

-mulled wine – for something truly spectacular purchase a sugar tower, douse it in alcohol and then set fire to it! Not only does it enrich the mulled wine, but it makes for an impressive display.

{Image credits: 1. Mahanandi; 2. ; Delicious Magazine; 3. We Adore Weddings;}

Top 10 tips for budgeting

The average wedding in Britain costs in excess of £15,000. In some ways, it’s not really surprising given how quickly costs and expectations spiral. However, for many brides, this is simply unfeasible given the current economic climate. Sure every bride wants her big day to be perfect, but if like many others you’d rather spend the money on other things, or simply don’t have the money to fund a lavish wedding, read on. A tight budget does not mean you have to sacrifice your big day dreams, it just means you need to more savvy. So here are some tips to help you manage the wedding planning process on a budget.

-First of all, you need to decide what matters most to you. What are you willing and unwilling to compromise on. Work out how much you have to spend in each area and then research research research!

-Look in the classified section and on ebay for decorations rather than buying brand new ones. Alternatively, consider opting for decorations that double as wedding favours

-Go over your guest list with a fine tooth comb – every extra guest you invite increases the cost substantially. In addition to the catering costs, you’ll find yourself forking out for extra wedding invitations, favours, and even table centrepieces. If you’re on a tight budget it’s time to get tough with who you invite – cull people you haven’t spoken to in years.

-Ask your florist which flowers are in season, as these will be cheaper than flowers that are out of season and harder to source, particularly when if you’re planning to use large quantities for table centrepieces.

-Attend sample sales when hunting for that perfect dress, or even consider renting a wedding dress. Alternatively, if you know someone with excellent seamstress skills consider asking them whether they would be willing to tailor-make you a wedding dress.

-Go off peak – if you hold your wedding on a Sunday vendors may offer you a better rate due to demand being lower.

-DIY it – DIY is your friend if you’re on a budget. Even if you’re not a craft goddess, get friends and relatives to help. DIY decorations, cakes and invitations are becoming increasingly popular as people appreciate the personal touch. Consider where your (and your helpers’) talents lie and then work out what DIY projects you have time for. This crocheted heart runner on Project Wedding is a perfect example of how easy and effective DIY can be! http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-crocheted-heart-runner

-Consider asking guests to donate their time and skills instead of a traditional wedding gift – from flower arranging to hairdressing, getting guests on board with the preparation can really cut costs and allow you more financial leeway on the areas that mean the most to you.

-Find a less expensive venue and/or keep the reception short and sweet. The length of your reception will influence the cost of the venue hire so consider this carefully when choosing. If you don’t have your heart set on a lavish country house, consider holding your reception at a local community centre or even someone’s home. Alternatively, if you do have your heart set on the sprawling country estate, having a reception out of the peak wedding season will help keep your costs down.

-According to tradition, the bride’s family pay for the bridesmaids’ attire so this is a prime area to cut costs; rather than buying ‘bridesmaid’dresses, which will come with a premium price tag, look for suitable dresses in normal high street store ranges.

Wedding Checklist

Weddings are magical affairs. However, planning a wedding is not always as magical as it can, and should, be. With a million things to organise, it’s all too easy to forget an all-important detail or leave it until it’s too late. That’s why we’ve compiled this wedding checklist here at Social Brides to help you with the process, and make it simpler and more manageable.

A.S.A.P.

-decide on a budget

-select what type of ceremony you want

-select your colour scheme, and an overarching theme (optional)

-Select and book a venue for the ceremony

-Book your ceremony time and date with a minister or registrar – have back up dates/times in mind

-Select your bridesmaids, flower girls, pageboys, ushers and groomsmen

-Select and book a venue for the reception (confirm it in writing)

-Arrange wedding insurance before you pay any deposits

-Prepare a first draft of the guest list

-Meet and book caterers – sample a few menu options

-Order the cake (you can settle on the design a little later, around 4 months before the wedding)

-Start looking for wedding dresses, -choose between bespoke and off the peg

-Select your wedding stationery (invitations, place cards etc.)

-if you’re hiring a wedding planner now is the time to do it

6-12 months before:

-Send out save the date cards

-Book a photographer/videographer

-Book transport to and from the ceremony for the bridal party

-Book the honeymoon

-Book florists and entertainers/musicians

-create an inspiration board or scrapbook with ideas and styles you like for food, dresses, hair, makeup, decorations etc.

-Choose your bridal attire and outfits for others involved in the ceremony

6 months before:

-Select and order your wedding rings

-Pick up your Marriage Notice form from the Registrar

-Choose bridal accessories, shoes, headdress, veil etc

5 months before:

-Select flowers for the bridal bouquet, decorations, buttonholes etc.

-Book a hotel for your first night.

-Compile your gift wish list

4 months before:

-Finalise the design and colour you want for your wedding cake

-Check requirements for travelling and which documents you’ll need

-Arrange any visas you need

-Book an appointment with your doctor to discuss what vaccinations you will need for your honeymoon

-Confirm and discuss the arrangements with your minister like the order of service

-Buy gifts for those involved in the wedding

3 months before:

-Consult your hairdresser about what styles you like, and what styles will suit your face. Consider taking your headdress along and arrange a trial style

-Hen and stag parties should be organised by the best man and chief bridesmaid

-Ensure guests have accommodation

-When guests RSVP stating their intention to attend, send them an information pack including such information as your gift list, maps and directions, local accommodation availability etc.

-If you’re altering your name, now is the time to have new credit cards issued.

-Buy wedding favours

-Arrange fittings for those involved in the ceremony

2 months before:

-buy wedding confetti (check if confetti is permitted, some allow biodegradable products such as dried petals)

-prepare a seating plan

-send thank you notes as and when wedding gifts arrive

-children involved in the ceremony should be measured up for their outfits

-Contact your stationer to let them know names for place cards

-Arrange a trial run of your wedding make-up

1 month before:

-Final fitting for your wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses

-Let the caterer and reception venue know the final number of guests attending

-Write and rehearse speeches

-Confirm transport details and find out the approximate duration of the journey to the ceremony venue

-Write to banks and any other official institutions if you’re changing your surname

1-2 weeks before:

-Confirm suppliers – confirm arrangements and timings

-Final rehearsal

-Make sure all wedding attire has been collected and fits

-Wear in bridal shoes

-Ensure the menus, place cards, order of service sheets etc have been delivered

-Confirm honeymoon details, order currency etc

-Write a play list for the DJ, including you first dance song

-Pick up your marriage schedule

-Pick up wedding attire

On the big day:

-Try to have at least some breakfast

-Leave plenty of time to get ready – there’s nothing worse than feeling flustered

-Make sure your honeymoon suitcase is sent to the hotel you’re staying at overnight

Perfect Jenny Packham Wedding Dresses

I’m in love. Jenny Packham has truly exceeded herself with these delectably whimsical wedding dresses. They’re the perfect combination of chic and feminine, will flatter any figure and are so well cut they could be re-worn for other formal occasions. Team with a Packham headdress for a contemporary feel, or pair with a retro flower headdress to enhance the whimsy. As if Jenny Packham’s designs weren’t tantalising enough in their own right, Packham’s holding an end of line sale, with up to 70% off bridal accessories, on Thursday, 17^th November from 8.30 am until 8 pm at 3A Carlos Place, Mount Street, London, W1K 3AN.

{Credits: 1. Jenny Packham; 2. Jenny Packham;}

Wedding Hairstyles

How you wear your hair can transform any outfit, and this is never more true than on your wedding day. With no rules for bridal do’s you have incredible scope, but in some ways this can make deciding on a style all the more overwhelming. When selecting a style you should start by considering the length and thickness of your hair. Hair like fine spun silk may be soft and luxurious, but it will not hold its shape as readily as thicker, wavy hair. That is not to say it won’t hold, but consider whether your hair will require additional preparation when choosing a style.

You should also take into account the overall aesthetic of your bridal look; is it conservative? Quirky? If so, would it benefit more from a contrasting hair style to dilute the look, or would a co-ordinated hair style work best? Other factors to consider are the neckline of your dress (if you have corsage detailing at the shoulder it would be a shame to obscure this), your veil (how elaborate and long is it?) and whether you want any additional decorative hairpieces.

Your stylist should be your best friend. Ask which styles will flatter your face most and then discuss the best way to care for and prepare your hair. Consider a series of rehydrating treatments, in addition to regular haircuts, to get your hair as glossy and healthy as possible. Avoid drastic changes in either colour or cut before the big day, and to ensure your hair is at its very best eat a diet rich in omega 3; it will maximise gloss and minimise breakage. It also is highly recommended that you make sure you have a trial style to see if your chosen do lives up to expectations; if you’re disappointed you’ll still have time to tweak it, or change it entirely.

{Credits: 1. lovehair; 2. itsabridesworld; 3. lovehair; 4. itsabridesworld; 5. itsabridesworld;}

Winter Wonderland Weddings

With winter looming I thought it was only appropriate to write a post on winter weddings. Despite the unrelenting cold, winter weddings, when executed correctly, can look immeasurably elegant and glamorous. They have an ethereal quality that really enchants the viewer. There are slightly different rules for winter weddings though. An outdoor wedding, while brave, is unlikely to achieve the same rustic appeal as a summer wedding, and with English weather so temperamental, it's unlikely to withstand the biting winds and rain. Despite this limitation though, there is incredible scope, in terms of creativity, where winter weddings are concerned. Due to the darker rays, brides can afford to opt for slightly heavier makeup than they can in the summer. While dark, heavy eyeliner may look too austere in bright sunlight, in grey-tone winter rays it adds welcome definition. Additionally, glitter is best saved for winter weddings. Although glitter should always be used tentatively, a light sweep of sheer glitter in the inner corner of eyes will open and brighten eyes; similarly, a delicate application of glitter across the cheekbones will create the illusion of added definition. If you have any features you are slightly insecure about, glitter is a wonderful way of drawing attention away from said features and focusing on your best bits.

Winter weddings also require slightly more planning sartorially, particularly given most brides want at least some pictures outside; consider choosing a faux fur shrug to ward off the cold, or a cream angora cardigan like Miss Middleton wore. Alternatively, a sweeping cape will look effortlessly elegant while keeping you warm. Bridesmaids will also require a cover up, and cashmere wraps are an excellent option; complementing any outfit, they are simple and elegant and won’t pull focus from the bride.

If you fancy creating a snow queen vibe, opt for large quantities of glass and crystal, and even an ice sculpture; the thought may make you shiver, but it will look resplendent at a white themed winter wedding, and copious amounts of glass and crystal will make the light scintillate. For a warmer, softer vibe, opt for copious amounts of candles and tea lights, or festoon the venue with fairy lights. Pine cones, gingerbread houses and snowglobes also create a fabulous festive feel, as do rich, dense fabrics such as velvet. In terms of colour schemes, white and silver is incredibly stark and striking, creating an ethereal ambience, while dark, warm colours like burgundy help to create a more festive atmosphere.

 In addition to a slightly different set of aesthetics, winter weddings can also draw on different foods. Warm, chocolate based cocktails make a wonderful addition to any winter wedding, and if you want to capitalise on the festive cheer you can really focus on Christmas flavours - think cinnamon, orange, cloves, ginger, candied fruits. Serve a fruity concoction of champagne or cava mixed with mulled wine. It makes a delicious, warm, upmarket alternative to punch. Alcoholic hot chocolate or coffee with a healthy splash of Tia Maria also works well, particularly when accompanied by miniature doughnuts. Alternatively, cocktails with ginger and cinnamon will tantalise guests' tastebuds and offer a more subtle nod to Christmas. Hot canapes will also help to ward off the cold, and for a truly festive treat try chocolate coated chestnuts, which offer a modern take on a traditional treat. Chocolate fountains also work well at winter weddings, providing the palette with a pleasantly warm, silky sensation. If you’ve opted for a white colour scheme, co-ordinate with white chocolate, which will offer a wonderful echo. Where favours are cocerned, gingerbread cookies prove popular, but snowglobes and miniature Christmas trees are an interesting alternative.

{Credits: 1. Princess Bride Tiaras; 2. Project Wedding; 3. Victoria's Vintage; 4. Martha Stewart Weddings; 5. Martha Stewart Weddings;}

Wishing Trees

Combining utility and elegance, Wishing Trees pose an interesting alternative to traditional guest books and they make a fabulous focal point. They come in myriad colours, shapes and sizes and are based on a Buddhist tradition. According to this tradition, if you write your wish on a piece of paper and tie it to the wishing tree, your wish will come true with the wind carrying your words into the air and away.

You can hire a wishing tree or erect one yourself, however, they require assembling on site and can’t be moved easily once they have been erected. Drape with a string of pearls, crystal beads, attach a few flowers to the branches at random, twine some ribbon around the trunk, or leave bare for a more minimalist look. After the wedding, you can either keep the cards in a keepsake box, or use them to make a scrapbook.

Wedding Invitations

Invitations are integral to setting the tone of a wedding. That pretty little slip of card will conjure up all kinds of images in your guests’ minds, and as it’s the first thing your guests will see it’s important you get it right. The right invite should reflect a couple’s style and start guests fantasizing about the fabulous wedding to come. From flamboyant to elegant, finding the right invitation has never been easier, with a wealth of pretty invites on offer.

{Credits: 1. Etsy; 2. Etsy; 3. Etsy; 4. Etsy; 5. Wedding Soon; Wedding Soon;}

Bridal bouquets

Bridal bouquets say a lot about a bride's style; antique caramel and dusty pink hues suggest a soft, girlish style, while bolder colours like vivid indigo suggest a slightly edgier, quirky style. As long as a bouquet is well suited to the bride's style it's impossible to go wrong; bouquets are an extension fot the bride's personal tastes and reflective of individuality. Cascade bouquets add a sense of grandeur, but wildflower bouquets have a whimsical charm that would work well with any rustic wedding. While it would be hard to accuse any bouquet of being unsightly, one of the most sensational bouquets I've seen is this following one, which marries delicate antique pinks and bright, bold colours seamlessly in order to make both colours pop. The peacock feathers add to the striking aesthetic, while the pale pink tones temper the brightness and pull the look together perfectly; quirky yet decadent, this bouquet exudes elegance.

{Image credits: 1. Red Lotus Photography;}

Mason Jar Magic

Mason jars add a wonderful rustic touch to a wedding and are hugely diverse. This practical, everyday item is easily updated and rendered wedding friendly. Its charm lies in its simplicity, which makes it suitable for almost any wedding. It can be used for a multitude of purposes to great effect, and this is one decorative item that won’t break the bank. Mason jars make excellent candleholders, hung from trees or arranged on tables. Keep it simple with a luxe ribbon around the middle or on top tied in a bow, or fill them with water and pebbles and float tea lights on top. Alternatively, stick doilies to the outside of mason jars and they will throw a charming lace-effect pattern.

Mason jars also make excellent vases, but should you use them for this purpose, keep the arrangement simple; wild flowers work best to ensure the rustic appeal is not lost. Anything too complicated or elaborate will just look incongruous and disjointed. Alternatively, keep it simple with a single open bloom floated on water. In addition to making nice table pieces, mason jars filled with flowers also make pretty, whimsical aisle markers.

Additionally, mason jars can be used as wedding favours, filled with a vast array of edible goodies, ranging from sweet treats to fresh fruits. Or for an even more rustic twist, fill them with homemade jam. Guests will certainly appreciate the time invested in making jam and it’s a great way to add a more personal touch to favours. Mason jars filled with cakes and desserts are also proving to be popular, and anything layered, like a milk and white chocolate mousse, will create a beautiful aesthetic. Alternatively, fill mason jars with cookie mix for a fun wedding favour. Bakerella even provide a free printable recipe.

 

Mason jars can also double as photo holders; black and white photos work particularly well in this instance, enhancing the vintage feel. Massive mason jars can also double as drinks dispensers; serve cloudy lemonade, full of circular slices of lemon, from large mason jars and provide smaller mason jars as drinking vessels to create a rustic feel.

{Credits: 1. Snipi 2. Intimate Weddings ; 3. Intimate Weddings; 4. Bakerella;5. Kaboodle; 6. Intimate Weddings;}

Bridal Jewellery

While bridal jewellery is very much a matter of personal taste, no one wants to look like Heidi Montag - hideously blinged up on her big day to the point where her jewellery detracted from the overall pretty, feminine aesthetic. So, if you want to go slightly bigger and bolder than normal, remember to select only a few statement pieces. Chandelier earrings look stunning with a full or partial up-do, however, if you're opting for a thick choker as well, people will be focused on you're competing jewellery pieces rather than you, which is where their attention should be focused. The right combination of bridal jewellery should enhance a bride’s radiance, offsetting her eyes, make-up, and the small, exquisite details of her dress.  The combination should not be so gaudy and fussy that it pulls focus, or guests will remember the wedding for all the wrong reasons. That is not to say that there is a set formula for success; the extent of accessorising should depend on the dress, the hair, the make-up, and the style of wedding. A simple sheath dress will benefit from more embellishment than an elaborate princess-esque dress and tiara combination.

Charleston bracelet £155

Parisienne necklace £119.99

Regalia earrings £120

Glacier Chandelier earrings £39.99

Vintage Birdcages

I have always adored decorative birdcages. They’re so whimsical and romantic, and for this reason they make ideal wedding decorations. They are so effortlessly chic they will add a touch of elegance to any wedding. They are wonderfully multi-purpose and can be used as cardholders, lanterns when hung from trees, or table centrepieces. You can fill them with flowers, fruits, cupcakes, candles, peacock feathers, perfume bottles or beautifully bound antique books – the list is endless. Alternatively, source an artificial nest from a garden centre and fill it with chocolates. To further beautify, tie a plush satin ribbon, co-ordinated with your colour scheme, around the middle or on the top. Alternatively, use pearls or fairy lights. Pearls add to and perfect the vintage feel when loosely draped around or over birdcages, as do trailing fairy lights. Petals also add to the elegant, feminine aesthetic when scattered around the outside. Customise according to your individual style, the trend is easily adapted to accommodate any wedding. Vintage birdcages are readily available, either on the high street or online; it’s also worth looking in the classified ads and on eBay, where there will inevitably be brides selling off their birdcages. You could even hire them

{Credits: 1. You & Your Wedding; 2. Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners; 3. Flower Design Events;}

Bespoke Vintage Map Hearts

These wooden hearts, personalised with a vintage map appropriate to the individual, epitomise vintage chic and would make excellent, if slightly pricey, wedding favours. At £15 (from Wow Thank You) they may be suited to smaller, more intimate weddings, although these are gifts that could potentially be replicated at home by those who are on a budget, using thick card and an atlas. Unique and incredibly thoughtful, you could opt for maps of people’s hometowns, their favourite places (depending on how well you know your guests), or maps of the place where you first met them. As the vintage trend acquires an ever increasing following, decorations such as these offer an invaluable way to personalise vintage touches.

Alternatively, if you love the idea but are lacking either the patience or the funds, head to Nostalgic Heart. Offering a slightly more rustic take, they’ve produced vintage map hearts suspended inside a clematis heart, which make beautiful decorations at vintage or rustic themed weddings.

Flower Ice Cubes

Another great idea for anyone wanting to try a bit of wedding DIY! These flower ice cubes (seen at Jonathan Fong Style and Martha Stewart.Com) are easy to make and look oh so chic. Roses work well, but you can choose from a whole host of edible flowers (including Violets, Starflowers, Chrysanthemums, Gladioli and Snapdragons, to name a few). Just make sure the flowers you use haven't been treated with potentially harmful chemicals; firstleaf offer a wonderful selection of edible flowers, or, if you're green-fingered, you could even grow your own. It is also worth mentioning that any surplus flowers look rather nice in cocktails and champagne flutes!

There are a few different methods for making the ice cubes, depending on the size of the flowers you're using, which are as follows:

Method 1 (the Jonathan Fong way)

Requires:

(per ice tray)
12 spray roses (the small ones)
12 twist ties
2 wooden skewers
1 ice tray
Floral tape

Instructions:

1. To keep the roses submerged in the ice trays, we have to build a framework that will weigh them down. Cut the spray roses, leaving about 2 inches of stem, and use twist ties to attach the stems to the skewers.

2. Place the roses, which are attached to the skewers, upside down in their individual ice compartments of the tray.

3. Tape down the skewers at the ends of the ice tray to keep everything from floating when you add water. Your ice tray should look like the one in the photo.

4. Add water to the ice tray and freeze overnight.

Method 2 (the Martha Stewart way)

Instructions:

1. To suspend flowers in the cubes, work in layers: Fill an ice tray (one that makes large cubes so the ice will last longer) a quarter of the way with water, add flowers facing down, and freeze.

2. Add more water to fill halfway, and freeze.

3. Fill to the top, and freeze again.

Handy tip: For ice that's especially clear, use distilled water that has been boiled and then cooled. This limits impurities and air bubbles, which make ice cloudy.

{Picture credits: 1. Simply Savannah Events; 2. Jonathan Fong Style; 3. Martha Stewart.com}

Romance novel confetti

Check out this cute wedding confetti at Etsy! It’s made from romance novels and offers an unusual alternative to petal or rice confetti. You could even DIY it (Amazon stock heart hole punches) using any number of materials; although romance novels are rather apt, you could use wrapping paper as well to add some colour, or an old newspaper from the day you met/had your first date. Alternatively you could use love poems or love letters, to potential to customise is endless.

Wedding pies - yay or nay?

So I’ve been hearing a lot about pies. Or, ‘man cakes’, as they’ve been dubbed. Perfect for a more rustic wedding no? But I couldn’t imagine sacrificing a decadent triple-tier wedding cake for pies. Maybe pies in addition to cake, but never instead of cake. I was quite dubious initially, but having seen some of Pie&‘s handiwork I have to say, I’m pretty impressed. Just look at this cute swan topper and their four tier petal pies!



{Credits: Pie&}

10 tips for pre-wedding de-stressing

1. Detox. You know what they say about a healthy body equalling a healthy body. Well there is much to be said for the healthy mind-healthy body malarkey and a detox is a good way to cleanse your system (good preparation for all that champagne it’ll be plied with). Just a short week long detox should suffice, depending on how far advance you do it. Detoxes vary but are inevitably good for slimming down into gowns!

2. Spoil yourself with a pamper session, or, if you can afford it, a spa break. Nothing beats stress like a good massage and a mani-pedi will make you feel preened and pretty. Just be sure to avoid facials as they can cause break outs - not so ideal for pre-wedding de-stressing!

3. Practice yoga and/or pilates. The gentle exercise will stimulate the production of serotonin and the focus on breathing will encourage calm and relaxation.

4. Take at least half an hour for a long hot soak in the bath, setting this time aside to forget about the wedding details. Think candles, a glass of wine, classical music (or whatever ever else floats your boat) playing softly in the background…

5. Eat healthily and regularly. Weddings are nerve and nausea inducing enough, without factoring a low blood sugar into the equation. Try to eat slow energy releasing foods to maintain your blood sugar levels and drink plenty of water; you’ll feel more energetic and more level headed.

6. Get plenty of sleep. If you’re morphed into a bit of an insomniac as the wedding approaches, try turning off all electrical equipment (laptops, phones etc) at least an hour before bed. Spritz some lavender sleeping spray onto your pillow and unwind either by reading or listening to relaxing music.

7. Keep a diary. Even if you don’t normally, there is something cathartic about unburdening yourself and letting all your worries pour onto the paper.

8. Similarly, make lists. It’s stressful trying to remember to do a million things, and keeping lists will make things seem much more manageable.

9. Look at pictures of your honeymoon destination. There’s nothing like the prospect of an indulgent, romantic holiday to boost a person’s spirits.

10. Do something you love; whether it’s horse riding, painting, shopping or knitting. As long as you love and find it therapeutic it’ll help distract you from any pre-wedding jitters.

Vintage Trend

Vintage chic. It’s taken the nation by storm over the past decade hasn’t it? And now it’s set to be a big influence in 2012 weddings, particularly where frocks are concerned. Not really surprising given the exquisite lace concoction Miss Middleton wore, is it? It was a dress that garnered widespread praise and the Middleton effect is still evident in bridal dresses today. Dresses will be romantic and whimsical, creating a soft, feminine silhouette; picture layers of lace and a cascade of ruffles. Ranging from demure elegance to pure fantasy, there’s a look to suit every bride. These dresses by Monique Lhuillier and Vera Wang encapsulate the trend perfectly and show why it's become so popular.

{Credits: 1. Vera Wang; 2. Monique Lhuillier; 3. Monique Lhuillier; 4. Oscar de la Renta;}