Top Of The (tying the) Knots

In the couple of months that I have been undergoing training in the ways of The Bride (less learning Kill Bill-style combat skills, more reading a couple of magazines and looking at websites), I have noticed a number of things that pop up at almost every wedding.

So, I have decided to share with all you pop-pickers the top ten things YOU MUST HAVE at your wedding this year.

*As a quick disclaimer, some of these ideas I love, others I find completely mental. However, just like Mark Goodier announcing the results of the Blur Vs Oasis Battle of the Bands in 1995, I'm not here to judge.

10 - Hat hooks  

I have never seen hat hooks at any wedding I have been to, but myself and Diary Of A Bride To Be have noticed them popping up with alarming frequency in blogs of late. What are they? Why, they're hooks you fix around your venue for your guests to hang their hats on of course, and no 2012 wedding should be without them.

9 - Ice-cream/fish and chip/kebab vans  

Fed up of the usual cold sandwiches and slices of wedding cake you're served up at evening receptions? No? Well, according to the 2012 wedding chart you really should be. Couples today are saying bye-bye to buffets and instead treating their guests to these glorified takeaway services.

8 - Sweetie tables

2012 brides are keeping their guests sweet with sweetie tables. I thought this was an amazing idea, giving guests the freedom to choose what they want to snack on, rather than you picking their sweets for them and presenting them as a favour. However, I soon realised the sweetie table is not there instead of favours, but as well as. The 'not instead of, but as well as' motto very much appears to be a theme of weddings this year.

7 - Homemade favours

On the subject of favours, this year's brides-to-be are working their fingers to the bone knocking up gifts from scratch. It seems sugared almonds or chocolate truffles are no longer satisfactory and no guest will be content unless they are presented with a favour that has been lovingly crafted by the couple's own hands. Expect to be handed heart-shaped pin cushions, tea cup candles and jars of chutney by a bride with bleeding, wax-covered fingers who smells of onions.

6 - Garden games

A bride in 2012 knows a disco is simply not enough to entertain her guests, which is why you can also expect to be able to play bowls, croquet and cricket at any marquee weddings you go to this year. After all, it is the year of the Olympics.

5 - Photo booths

Guests are difficult creatures and need a lot to keep them occupied. Indeed, without couples laying on a host of entertainment, guests might simply become confused and disorientated, wander out of the marquee and on to a country lane, where they could be tragically hit by a tractor. Avoid calamity and provide them with a photo booth, where they can put on fancy dress costumes and hold up funny slogans while a photographer merrily snaps away.

4 - Moustaches

It doesn't matter if they're real or fake, you must make sure they're invited to your wedding if you don't want to be the odd one out this year.

3 - Lace

Ahhh Kate Middleton, she has done so much for the British wedding industry. If you want to make like a duchess this year, you'll be coveting lace over satin. And it doesn't stop at your dress either. To really get to grips with this trend, you should deck out your reception venue in lacy décor as well. Get working on your bunting now.

2 - Nick-nacks

Also known as vintage finds/personal touches/piles of junk. Uniformity is out of the window this year and when it comes to decorating your wedding venue, miss-matched is very much the word du jour. Pile up leather-bound books as your table centrepieces, place random bird cages filled with vintage postcards around the room and bus in 200 cake stands and you'll have succeeded in creating the 2012 wedding look.

1 - Sunglasses

Topping the chart this year is sunglasses. Both bride and groom must take care to protect their delicate eyes from the sun's harmful rays on their wedding day, no matter what time of year they're tying the knot. If you're wondering what style will work well with your lace gown, make like Tom Cruise and invest in some Ray-Ban Aviators.

Are there any movers and shakers you think should be added to my 2012 wedding trends countdown?