Best Wedding Dress Trends for Spring 2012

We can't believe 2011 is nearly over!  It's so cliche, but every wedding season seems to go faster and faster; one day it's May and in a blink we find ourselves in November.  2011 was an incredible year for Shi Shi and we're looking forward to a fantastic 2012!  Thank you to everyone who continuously contributes to making our success possible - much love to all of you!  With the start of the New Year just hours away, we thought we'd give you a trend-watching, eye candy filled post to help you with the start of your planning process - finding your dress!

After our brides find their venue and select their wedding date, it's all about the dress!  You'll need up to 6 months for the dress to arrive, so we suggest starting to dress shop at least 9 months in advance to leave room for alterations once the dress arrives.  {If you procrastinated on your dress shopping, or are planning on a tight timeline, no worries, just know you might have to pay a bit extra for rush charges in order to get the dress on time.}  

2012 is shaping up to be spectacular bridal fashion wise!  SO many delicious gowns hit the Spring 2012 runways, we thought an awesome way to kick off the New Year would be to share three of our favorite bridal dress trends with you!  So without further adieu...and in no particular order...here are the Shi Shi girls' favorites for Spring 2012.

Illusion Necklines
An illusion neckline is typically constructed of lace, tulle, or net and extends from the bodice of the dress to the collar.  Many will be adorned with beading or appliques to enhance the dress' design and define the collarbone area, while others are left plain to give just the softest sheen to the skin.  Illusion necklines are wonderful options for the bride who likes the strapless gown look, but doesn't want to fuss with pulling her dress up all night.  Here are your Shi Shi girls picks for favorite illusion neckline gowns from the Spring 2012 runways:

Alvina Valenta

Marchesa

Reem Acra

Sleeves
We are SUPER excited about the return of sleeves!  They're just so beautiful and universally flattering that even if you hadn't envisioned your dress as having sleeves, we think it's definitely worth a shot trying them on in the dressing room!  We don't care if they're short, long, cap, off the shoulder, flutter, or on a removable bolero - we love, love, love them!  {You may find the sleeves and illusion neckline trends overlap one another on many of the dresses you'll see.  The Marchesa and Reem Acra dresses above are good examples of that.}  Here are your Shi Shi girls' picks for sleeved gowns from the Spring 2012 runways:

Elie by Elie Saab for Pronovias

Jenny Packham

Reem Acra

Blush Pink 
In the past we haven't been strong proponents of color on a wedding dress {with the exception of small black accents, like a sash}, but this season is changing our mind.  Color abounded from the Spring 2012 runways and we honed in on a delightful shade of blush pink that on the right skin tone is nothing short of perfect.  From dramatic blush cascades of fabric, to dresses with such a trace hint of the shade you have to do a double take to be sure it's not white, to just a pop of pink on a sash or applique, we think you'll be seeing a lot of this stunning shade in 2012!  Here are your Shi Shi girls' picks for dresses featuring blush pink from the Spring 2012 runways:

Vera Wang

Monique Lhuillier

Rivini

Rivini

Will you be trying any of these trends for your wedding dress?  Let us know with comments to our Facebook or Twitter pages, or by pinning your favorites for us to peek at on Pinterest!  Want to search for your perfect gown?  Visit the NY Mag Fashion Shows page and scroll down to Bridal Shows 2012 where you can view each fashion house's complete collection for Spring 2012.  Happy shopping & Happy New Year everyone!

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Words of Love Day 25

Truly some of the best words of love ever written.  Merry Christmas everyone!  Health, happiness, and peace to all of you this holiday - we hope you're celebrating today with those you love.

  

Luke 2:1-20

 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

    
 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

    
 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

    
 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

    
 5 to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.

    
 6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

    
 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

    
 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

    
 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

    
 10 And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    
 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

    
 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

    
 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

    
 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

    
 15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

    
 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

    
 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

    
 18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

    
 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

    
 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Words of Love Day 24

Well it's Christmas Eve, our favorite day of the year!  So much excitement and anticipation and visiting with family and friends - love, love, love!  It's such a very cozy day.  And what better to share with you than one of our all time favorite literary passages from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

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