Full disclosure: when I started writing this post, I had Kate Middleton in mind. It wasn’t until I was halfway done that I realized her wedding actually took place in 2011. Time really does fly, doesn’t it?

Thankfully, there were lots of weddings this year and while every bride was gorgeous in her own right, these ladies were the standouts in 2012:

Bridesmaid’s star Ellie Kemper wore a classic lace sheath at her NYC wedding (though she wouldn’t tell anyone who designed it, so if you know and are willing to share with us, we’ll tell Santa you’ve been super-good this year).  Jessica Biel chose a fluffy pink Giambattista Valli  gown for her marriage to Justin Timberlake, and a totally unique Amber Tamblyn wore yellow (again, no designer…we see a potential new trend for 2013) and went barefoot at her outdoor wedding to David Cross. What we love about each of these celebrity bridal gowns is that they are unique to the bride herself—each one speaks volumes about her personality, confidence and style!

 

Many of the brides featured in our Real Weddings this year also chose gowns that were truly breathtaking.

Kelly looked ethereal in a draped Grecian gown by Vera Wang White, perfect for an outdoor wedding at a botanic garden.

A fully beaded Lazaro dress may seem like a lot, but Christina pulled it off effortlessly with a soft scalloped-lace veil at her elegant Miami wedding.

Nikki wed on the beach in St. John in a dress for the ages (also Vera Wang)—we love the juxtaposition of such a regal gown in a simple setting.

 

So, what do you think of our choices for the best bridal looks of the year? Did you have a favorite we missed? Let us know!