Instead of the traditional wedding guest book Derek and I decided to do something a bit different to record the wishes and signatures of loved ones who attend our special day.  Since Derek and I are into graphic design we decided to design a poster that would act as the guest book for our wedding, but also an extension of some of our favorite things.  Since I designed our invites, I asked Derek if he would design a “guest” poster, advertising our big day, using aspects of old DMB concert posters and design aesthetics we love.

Now, I cannot not take all of the credit for this intresting take on the run of the mill guest book.  I was inspired by a graphic desiner named, Leslie Hamer, I found on Etsy….one of my favorite websites.  Etsy, is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell handmade goods.  It has everything from graphic design “services”, to thank you card, to quilts, to furniture.  If you like unique, vintage, non mass produced things that really make people stop and admire them than Etsy is the place for you. 

Well, we are really on a downward roll toward the big day!  I am so excited!  I can’t wait for it to get here.

However, once the big day gets here I want time to stand still so I can soak it all up.  I can’t wait to sit there and absorb the way Derek looked, the words we said, the dance we 1st danced, the flowers, my family (current & new), my friends, the laughter, the cake, and most of all…..just the moment we say I DO.

Derek’s mom should be sending out the Rehearsal Dinner Invites any day now.  They are really adorable.  She kinda designed them herself.  Us “Davenport” women (soon-to-be & current) are quite talented.

Target has an adorable line of letter press stationary that allows you to print the wording, but provides you with templates & sturdy cardstock to print on.  She came up with the layout and coloring for these invites.  They look maaaaarvelous, just marvelous….Darling!!!!  I loved the stationary she picked out so much I decided to use the same line of cards for our “Thank You” cards.

Well, we finally decided on formal wear for the guys.  We decided to go with the J.Crew vest & suit pants.  The groom & best man are wearing a charcoal pinstripe & the ushers are wearing the charcoal pinstripe vest w/ a solid heather grey pant.  They are going to wear a beautiful classy gray Alfani tie with a white pinpoint dress shirt.

The other day we had Derek and Davis try on their vests and pants to make sure everything fit properly.  Without their ties and white shirts they almost looked a tad Amish.  Davis is at the age where he is starting to wear ties more & more.  So his big brother, Derek, stepped in and showed his little bro a thing or two about tying a neck tie.

Well, I went for my 1st dress fitting today.  My mom & Derek’s mom came to keep me company.  As the seamstress pulled and tugged on my dress to see what she needed to take, I noticed I was starting to get a touch hot under all that material.  Thank goodness the wedding is in October and this October is predicted to be colder than usual.  I don’t mind sweating, but come on….who wants to sweat in a really expensive gown and make it all nasty?!?  Who?

While we were there I got to pick out my veil.  My veil is the entire reason I purchased the dress I did.  I have always loved the lace detail on my mother’s wedding veil.  Since, her veil was darker than my gown I couldn’t wear it for my wedding, so I had to get one of my own.   I decided to get a mantilla style veil.  It reminds me of something you would see a Spanish woman wear for her wedding.  It lays completely flat on your hair and the lace borders the entire veil.

Now the task at hand is to find a hairstyle that will help highlight the beautiful fingertip length, lace mantilla veil I bought today.  I can wear it on the crown of my head w/ my hair mainly down, or I can pull back part of my hair and let the veil drape from the gathering of my hair.

I love the style of lace bordering the veil.  It is a big bold straight lace that is very similar to the lace on my dress.  Here is a glimpse of the lace on my veil….

These are some of the dresses I like @ Jcrew for our flower girl, Brooklyn.  What do you think?

I still haven’t quite decided on what I would like to have on the top of our wedding cake.  At first I just thought I would have some flowers.  Then I thought it would be funny to have a figurine of the bride dragging the groom by his collar.  Haha!

I keep coming back to these two sweet doves.  I think they are simple classy and show the love that Derek and I show for each other.

Okay…..73 days may sound like I have some time, but I don’t.  Derek has not yet decided on what he and davis will wear.  I don’t want the guys in tuxs, but it looks like to make this affordable for everyone we are just gonna have to go with a tux and make it look like a suit.  The thing is…..Derek does not own a suit!!!!

We were going to use this opportunity to buy Derek a nice suit that he can wear again.  But we are also having the issue with Davis (the best man) being one size too small to fit in a standard men’s suit.

This is what I wanted to Derek to look like on our wedding day….

But now he is going to have to wear this……