Brides Magazine Tracks 'The Kate Effect' On American Brides

While the average American bride probably can't snag a Alexander McQueen dress for her wedding, she can wear long sleeves...and don a veil...and arrive in a horse and buggy?

In its August issue, Brides writes of "The Kate Effect," whereby American brides are demanding every detail of April's royal wedding for their own nuptials, from filling their bouquets with lily-of-the-valley to dressing their bridesmaids in white.

52 percent of brides say they are more likely to wear a veil thanks to the Duchess of Cambridge, brides are asking for trees like Catherine's to line their aisles and one store reported a 25 percent rise in orders for red aisle runners just like the royal couple walked down in Westminister Abbey.

The best fun fact of all? One California company reported a 200 percent rise in inquiries about horse-and-carriage rentals since the royal wedding, as American brides obviously want to arrive in style.

We asked Brides Deputy Editor Sally Kilbridge to break it down for us:

Almost every little girl's first look at a bride is through a fairytale -- Cinderella, Snow White, etc. -- so I'd say it's a matter of imprinting. This stuff sticks with you for life, like it or not. Also, royal weddings happen so rarely, as opposed to celeb weddings, which happen weekly and often end a month later.

And what's the best way to incorporate Catherine's royal wedding touches into your own?

One very easy and elegant way would be the makeup of the bridal party -- just one maid of honor and best man and a lovely gaggle of kids.

Look out for "The Kate Effect" in the August issue of Brides, which hits newsstands July 19.