We’ve got less than six months to go until W-Day, and I’m starting to feel the pressure. Let’s recap the last month, shall we?

Arrangement and photo by Poppies & Posies

Since my last update…
— We finalized our registry picks
— We finalized our invitation design and are waiting on a few elements to come back from our calligrapher
— I did yet more waffling on bridesmaid dresses. I don’t know why, but this decision has made me second guess myself more than every other wedding-related decision put together. UGH! I am hoping to place the dress order next week, so PLEASE cross your fingers for me! I will recap the whole saga once the dresses are purchased.
— My sister and I made the first test blooms for a big DIY – paper flowers! I’ll write up a full tutorial soon, but you can see a sneak peek right here!

Next up on the list?
— We have got to get at least the groom’s attire nailed down this month, since he needs to have it ready to go for a friend’s wedding in June.
— Bridesmaid dresses. Done and done.
— I think we’ll be ordering our invites this month!
— I’m so hoping I’ll get to have my first dress fitting soon!!

On another note, apologies for the sparse posting lately! We’ve had a steady succession of house guests for the past few weeks (and have more scheduled for the next few weeks!), so I’ve been concentrating on enjoying their company instead of blogging. BUT, I have several fun posts in the queue, including one about the awesome shower invitations I made for my future sister in law (!), a practical one on my tips for booking destination wedding vendors, more about our wedding day timeline, and all about my accessories (jewelry, clutch, veil, oh my!). More soon!

I saw these bright spring hand soaps from method in my local Target and had to share. Aren’t they perfect for spring?

Happy first day of spring, my friends! As many of you know, I am fond of making seasonal to do lists. Here is mine for spring 2012 (March 20-June 20).

Photos left to right: Flower Magazine // Hutker Architects // Kate Murphy // Cat Thrasher via Style Me Pretty

What’s on your spring to do list?

P.S. Summer 2011 and fall 2011

Y’all, we still don’t have bridesmaid dresses. It’s true – more about that saga soon. In the meantime, though, let’s talk about mother of the bride fashion.

Can we talk about how much I love my Mom for a minute? I love her. A lot. I am so thankful for the relationship we have, and so happy that she will be at my wedding. I don’t often stop and give thanks for something as “simple” as having my Mom at my wedding, but I know that there are girls out there that would give anything to have their Moms by their side on that special day, and can’t for some reason or another. But I can, and so I will be thankful.

But on to fashion! My Mom will be visiting in a few weeks, and we’re planning to go look for dress options together. I thought I’d get the wheels turning ahead of time, and here’s what I turned up in my search:

These first three options are all classic, flattering black. Though the models are not MOB age, I think these styles are all “appropriate” while still being “youthful.” Those descriptions sound ridiculous, but you know what I mean! From left to right we have a silk one-shoulder column gown from Banana Republic ($250), a silk chiffon empire waist gown by Robert Rodriguez from Rent the Runway (rents for $100), and a black crepe one-shoulder gown with pleated a-line skirt by Halston Heritage from Rent the Runway (rents for $125).

I think my Mom looks great in navy, so I’m loving these choices! From left to right, we have a chiffon gown with ruched bodice by Robert Rodriguez from Rent the Runway (rents for $100 – same as above, just different color!), soft trumpet skirt gown from Nordstrom ($194), and one shoulder ruffle gown in navy crepe by Carmen Marc Valvo from Rent the Runway (rents for $125).

Finally, from left to right, we have a navy jersey ruched gown by Badgley Mischka from Rent the Runway (rents for $100), a plum chiffon wrapped gown by Diane von Furstenburg from Rent the Runway (rents for $100), and a jersey gown with crisscross bodice from Nordstrom ($168).

You’ll notice that I included several Rent the Runway dresses in my finds. I’ve never personally used them before, though a good friend has. I just can’t help thinking that it makes a lot of sense to rent a dress, especially for a highly-photographed event like a wedding. My Mom is not likely to wear the same dress to my younger sister’s wedding as she did to mine, and other than that, she doesn’t attend a lot of black tie events.

What do you gals think — would you rent a dress for a formal event? Have you used Rent the Runway before? Any other sources for MOB dresses you can recommend? Which one of the above options is your favorite?

P.S. My apologies if the RTR links in this post don’t work! I think you might have to be signed into your account to be taken to the exact dress. If you don’t have an account but would like one, you can sign up with my link here!