As we’re all anticipating the new year, here are a few of the most popular wedding dress trends for 2012. Big ball gowns, ruffly ruffles, bare legs and shoulders…see what’s trending for bridal gowns for the year to come.

Show some leg! Sexy slits and short wedding dresses were among the popular gowns on the runway for 2012.

Monique Lhuillier

Ines Di Santo

Bare Shoulders: Off-the-shoulder necklines with tulle skirts create a romantic look.

Marchesa

Bejeweled bodices: Dazzling beaded tops accompany minimalist skirts.

Anna Maier - Ulla-Maija Couture

Anne Bowen

 Illusion necklines: Sheer bateau necklines continue with crystal and pearl appliques to give it a more glam look.

Ines Di Santo

Carolina Herrera

Ruffles, ruffles, and more ruffles: Fun flirty and flattering!

Pronovias

Kenneth Pool

Romantic and dainty cap sleeves.

Reem Acra

Jenny Packham

Full and dramatic ball gowns.

Maggie Sottero

St. Pucci

Peek-a-boo hemlines: High and low hemlines are fun, flirtatious and a great way to show off amazing wedding shoes!

Claire Pettibone

Oscar De La Renta

Oscar De La Renta

Cover-it-up capes: Graceful capes cover up shoulders.

Alfred Angelo

Ines Di Santo

Passion for purple: We’ve seen a lot of color on the runway for bridal gowns for 2012, blush pink and black among them, but purple seems to be a hot one for the coming season , be it for accents or gowns.

Rivini

Rivini

Among these pretty amazing trends were also lingerie inspired bustiers, large floral details, v-necklines, mini-skirt dresses, Chantilly and Alencon laces, light fabrics such as organza, taffeta and chiffon, and ornate and bejeweled belts.

More 2012 Wedding Gown Trends

Source: The Knot

From bridesmaid dresses and bridal gowns to sweet confections and accessories, bows are a go-to adornment for added romance.

We love a bow on the back of an otherwise cookie cutter heel (people see the back of your shoes, too!), as a sleek, modern twist as a hairstyle, or placed on a wedding reception table in the form of bow-wrapped vases, napkin holders or atop favor boxes.

Whether made of satin, organza or fondant, we’re giddy over bows.

Credits beginning at top, left to right: Aruna B. Photography (dress by J. Crew); Real Simple; Luichiny Zeppelin heels. Martha Stewart. David Torralva Photography and Liz K. Photo via Lovely Little Details; Vera Wang on Weddings (book); Satin Bag w/ Beaded Bow (Weddingish). Martha Stewart; Weddingish Little Black Dress Cookie.

If we’ve learned anything from ogling over the fresh crop of bridal gowns, it’s that color is IN. And while white is the most popular traditional, classic and clean choice, as we’ve mentioned previously: brides have more choices than ever.

This past Bridal Market Vera Wang offered up frothy hues of gray and nude while we saw fairly tale blue sparkles at Ines Di Santo. Romona Kaveza presented bold blue and green gowns at her most recent show, and Oscar de la Renta unveiled dresses in soft of blue and pink.

Color has never been cooler.