Light the Way

Cylinders varying in size with candles light up the aisle. They create a romantic setting for the ceremony, and dimly light the path when it gets dark. This idea is perfect for an outdoor wedding!

Save those mason jars!

Use your colors to make pretty lanterns out of mason jars. This idea can be found on Pinterest.

Something Blue

Accenting your shoes with blue soles is a cute way to incorporate "Something Blue" into your attire! This picture can be found at Martha Stewart Weddings.

Starry Night

Never underestimate the power that lighting! Lighting can dramatically affect the ambiance. Creating your own starry night is a great way to impress your guests with elegance and beauty.

Which way to the bar?

Cute for decoration as well as to show direction! Adding city and state of where the bride and groom are from as well as guests is also another good idea. This photo can be found on Style Me Pretty.

Dress Hangers

This hanger is great for taking photos of the your wedding dress during the "getting ready" phase. Putting the name of each bridesmaid in the center also makes for a cute bridesmaids gifts, also another great photo idea :) This photo can be found on Pinterest.

Save Your Soles

Getting married on the beach? Or just want your guests to be comfortable? Set out flip flops for your girls in heels, or to keep your groomsmen free of sand filled shoes! This idea can be found on Style Me Pretty via Pinterest.

Tiffany Blues

For all you brides who love that Tiffany Blue enough to make it one of your colors, here is a great signature drink cocktail for your wedding! To get this perfect shade of blue combine lemonade, peach schnapps and a splash of blue curacao. Cute and refreshing! This picture can be found on Weddingbycolor.

For Wine Lovers

If having guests sign a book is too traditional for you, here is a creative way to have your wedding be remembered. This great alternative to a guest book was found on OneWed via Pinterest.

More than just candy.

We continue to see candy bars at weddings, and we still love it because wedding guests love it!  It adds to any reception, and it is just fun!  Not only is it delicious favor but it can be a great focal point. This display we found on the Martha Stewart Weddings site is stunning isn't it?

"Cute" is what happens when the candy matches the theme of the wedding. We especially love mini paper lunch bags with monogrammed seals or muslin bags to add a bit more detail.

Ring Bearer Bowls and blocks

We're all about creating new traditions, and these new takes on the ring bearer pillow - love.

Here are ideas we're loving.  This is the Ring bearer bowl from Palomas Nest.  Yes, the date on there says June 32nd.  Martha is getting married July 2nd, but always wanted to be a June bride. How sweet is that?
Even sweeter? Caroline, the artist behind Palomas Nest donated this bowl to Martha & Tom after Marthas home was destroyed in the Tuscaloosa Tornado last month.

And this ring bearer block I found on the Emmaline bride blog. so creative!

The designer of this block, Jennifer Raichman has an AMAZING shop on etsy, I 100% suggest that you visit if you are looking for invitations or ketubahs as well.

How do You Roll? Royal Wedding Style

There's only one week left until the Royal Wedding and I couldn't be more excited!  Kate will be arriving in one of three cars; a Bentley, a Rolls Royce, or a Daimler.  I vote for the Rolls Royce!  Here's a picture of one that our clients used at her real wedding.

After their ceremony, Will and Kate will be escorted from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace in this 1902 State Landau. 

Now I know we all can't have a carriage like this, but we love the idea of being escorted to and from your ceremony in any grand fashion.  You can find out more about the Royal Wedding at the official website!

Tis the season for Short Wedding Dreses

It's that time of the year again to bring out those short dresses.  For all you summer brides still searching for your perfect dress have you considered a short more chic look?  Not only are we loving this warm weather but we really can't get over these simply sweet dresses.

 

Aren't these just fabulous?

Don't you think that this style of dress is perfect for your beach destination wedding. Thank you The Wedding for these beautiful dresses & photos

Wedding Thank You Notes

Just as important as thanking your guests, it is twice as important to thank your vendors! Since you will have so many people to thank after your wedding, a clever card is in order! Browsing wedding sites, which I often catch myself doing, I stumbled across the cutest thank you note idea. As you should know by now, I love photography. I guess it is only natural for me to be head over heals in like with this postcard.

 

Such a simple, sweet way to thank friends, family, & vendors. The ingredients for this master piece included 2 custom t-shirts (that read Thank You!), your new hubby, a personal camera or web-cam and blank post cards that you can place your picture on. We can always count on Martha Stewart Weddings for great DIY Wedding Ideas! 

Wedding Cake Chandelier

Today I feel like going with the theme of the blog. I really just wanted to share this fabulous DIY Wedding Cake Chandelier that I stumbled across on Wedloft by Wedding Window.

They found this wonderful little treat on lalalaurie.com

Wrap Outside the Box

We just cannot get away from great invites & save the dates today. If you are planning a destination wedding this season, please consider this super cute packing idea. It is as simple as 1,2,3, all you need is a map, tape & a box that will fit your invites. Wrap it just like a present seal it off with tape and ship it to its next location.

We wish that we could give credit for this photo, but unfortunately we cannot located the originator of this idea or photo. If this is your idea or your know who it belongs to please let us know, we would love to credit & know who was wrapping outside the box!

We're hosting a diy wedding decor sale

We're cleaning out our storage units!  We've partnered with Signature Florals and we're selling off tons of wedding decor to make room for new splendid items.  Stop by and see if there's anything that you can use at your wedding (or just around your house!).

Friday April 8 from 3pm-7pm and Saturday April 9 from 10am-2pm

We pretty much expect it to be the best indoor yard sale ever!

Thousands of décor and details to browse and buy: 

Vases - Crystals-Silk flowers - Tablecloths - Runners - Chargers - Candle holders - Candles - Lanterns - Stationery - Cake stands - Ribbon - Favors -Candy Buffet - Unique table decor And much more!

The sale will take place at 

The Resort at Marina Village

5971 Silver King Blvd 

Cape Coral, FL

Head to the Hope Ballroom

Free to Shop!

"Like" us on facebook (DIY Wedding Sale) to claim your Swag Bag

Friday April 8 3pm-7pm

Saturday April 9 10am-2pm

10% of our proceeds will be donated to Wish Upon a Wedding

For more info attending as a Bride, vendor, or general shopper please call 239.540.9029

or e-mail info@kellymcwilliams.com

Lose your Wedding Photography Worries

I know we say we love all things wedding. Which we do. But out of everything we might have to say that wedding photography is one of our favorites. The months leading up to your wedding day you should start to think about the photo's that are important to you and what moments need to be captured by the photographer.

While browsing The Knot's website we found a really valuable article all about wedding photography. This article is a huge help in deciding what wedding pictures are a necessity. Thank you The Knot for the beautiful pictures and wonderful ideas!

Wedding Stationery. The super cute kind.

Yes, by now you should know that we love blogging about "simple & pretty things" especially if it is DIY. We have to applaud Sarah the owner of Belletristics for appealing to all three of those categories. We are head-over heals in love with the "Adore" line that is on the Belletristics website.

We have decided that Belletristics loves wedding stationary & graphic design as much as Weddings by Socialites love planning weddings, which is a lot!!
P.S. We made the little favor box as a "test". It's even cuter in person.

We Do, Do you?

We thought picking out a Wedding Dress was the most exciting part of having a wedding but who would have thought that picking out your soon to be hubby's wedding Cuff Links would be just as fun! We are melting over these super sweet personalized Cuff Links.

For the Groom

For the Best Man & Groomsmen

Thank you so much Etsy for the great pictures! We love the personalized items that Bragging Bags has to offer.

Bridesmaid style love.

Splendid is not the right word to describe this collection of dresses and accessories. How about Stunning? Or dare I say perfect?   Martha Stewart Weddings never fails to showcase the best. Did you know that you can get weekly ideas by text from Darcy, Editor of the Brides Guide blog?  Yes, I signed up for them.

One thing I would like to point out here.  Notice that the simpler frocks below have been accessorized into exquisite.  Accessories should be just as thought out as the dress. Decide where the focus is and style from there.

“Photos by Johnny Miller. Copyright © 2011, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Originally published in the Spring 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.”

We love to "Wine" about Wedding Ceremonies

May our love be like good wine & grow stronger as it grows older. - Old English Toast

 Thank you Design*Sponge for the inspiring photo!

Here is a link for more ideas on wine unity ceremonies.

There is so much beauty in tradition. The unity ceremony has to be one of our favorite traditions because of how timeless it is. Using sand, candles & flowers have always been the way to share your love and unity during your ceremony. We thought it would be fun to look up other ways to show your unity and we stumbled across a wine unity ceremony. In this ceremony the bride and the groom each have their own carafe of wine which they pour into a unity glass and then take a sip out of one at a time. If you love wine and your partner this is a sweet sophisticated twist on a very well known tradition.  

Engagment Season

If you were wondering where we have been you will be please to hear that we were caught up in the middle of engagement season. Please excuse us and accept our apology! If you have been feeling the love this season Congratulations!!

We love that traditional engagement photos are out and fun, flirty, outside photos are so very in! Thank you We Heart It for totally understanding and providing our love for wedding photography.

Gloves with a wedding dress. Yes. We vote yes.

I've been on a personal mission to bring hats back.  I wear them every opportunity that I get. Mostly because I like to feel fancy.  Gloves give me the same kind of goosebumps.  So incredibly feminine.  I found this lovely little wedding on Geneve Hoffmans blog, please do have a look.  This bride has great style.

One hot wedding

I don't know about you but here at Weddings by Socialites we all love a little sparkle! This recent craze over sparklers, after your wedding ceremony, sounds like a great idea to us! Not only is it easier to clean up than rice & rose petals but it adds to the magic of the day.

(and of course makes an even more magical photograph)

You can find these unforgettable decorations at Sparklers Online.

Thank you Shannon Ho Photography for this fiery photo!

Ring Finger Studios Cupcakes and Diamonds

Honestly.  Could there be a better match? Pink cupcakes topped with the most gorgeous wedding engagement rings ever?

Photo by Ashley Brockinton

Tara Rose designed these beauties and many others.  I love that they are conflict free.  If you can, visit her website and her shop in Miami.  Again, honestly, they're gorgeous.  How do I know?  I tried every last one of them on and it was like the best hour of my life (slight exaggeration).

Stunning Flower bloom backdrop

Hands down this is the most unique, I could die over this, backdrop I have ever seen.  My best guess is that there was something ugly to disguise.  This is a genius response if so. I am enamored with the cream, ivory, champagne and gray in what looks to be roses, peonies, tulips, and other soft petal blooms.

The lighting keeps the enormity of the blooms from being too much. This is as romantic as it gets.  I really want to sit at this table.  I came across this image via Jacin of Lovely Little Details. Visit her blog; you'll find more gorgeous there.

Perfect Wedding Pair

A good pair of shoes are hard to come by and when put together with a good man they are irresistible.

Thank you Victoria's Vintage for providing us with a dynamic duo.

Comfort food lovin'

Mac & Cheese is not just for kids anymore! If the cold weather leaves you with a sluggish feeling you might need a quick pick me up.We think this twist on the classic homemade mac&cheese comfort food with cauliflower or squash is just the cure.

Makes 4 servings
2 - 2 1/2 cups dry noodles
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cooked and pureed squash or cauliflower (I use butternut squash)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar)
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
Cook noodles as directed, cooking until al dente.
Meanwhile, in separate pan, heat oil, add flour stirring until it is a paste. Add milk and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture becomes thick and starts to bubble (about 4 minutes). Add vegetable mixture and cheese, stir until melted. Add cooked noodles.

Thank you Linea's Great Blog of Recipes for the great recipe, appetizing picture and soul warming food.

Spice up your cocktail hour

If you are looking for an easy way to spice up your at home party, this inexpensive, innovative idea is perfect for you and your significant other.

All you will need is:
Cinnamon
Wine Glasses (you already own)
&
Stencils

On your big day your guests are going to want to toast to you and your honey, having the word "toast" already on the glass will definitely help break the ice.

We love this DIY from Celebrations at Home. To get the original idea and instructions be sure to visit The City Cradle.

All veil the bride.

We all know how crucial finding the perfect veil is, but is it possible that super cute headpieces maybe giving veils the boot? Whether you like a more traditional look or are maybe searching for an edge, I think we can all agree that a beautiful headpiece can bring out an exceptional side to your wedding look.

Thank you Bridal Hood Blog for your pretty pictures and unique styles.. We are in love.
This beautiul look can be found on The English Dept's website.

Seating made Simple

Maybe our Kindergarten teachers had the right idea. The simpler the better. This chalkboard idea makes seating assignments for weddings cheap, simple and unique. Not to mention unforgettable.

Thank you Sparkle & Hay for being "Rustic & Chic"

Have a sweet tooth?

Something sweet to hit just the right spot. Having cupcakes can be a great touch to any wedding reception.

Thanks to Caroline Tran for taking the photo!

Loving red details

Although the holidays have come to an end that does not mean you have to quickly whisk away all the red decorations you own to your storage unit. If your looking for an accent color that screams Love, Desire & Passion please carefully rethink what the color red means to you.

We might just have to add that to one of Kelly's favorite things which was just featured in the Spring/Summer addition of The Knot Florida. Thank you The Knot for reassuring us that the color red can play all year round.

Most lovely bridal hairstyle

There is nothing better than sticking to your true colors. When choosing the perfect hairstyle for your big day try doing something that you are familiar with. Something that will remind your man of every reason he fell for you in the first place.

 

We love the classic loose braid thank you Brides.com for taking us back to basics.

Ballerina Bride Blues

Something old. Something new. Something Borrowed. Something Blue.

Thank you to Sole Shebang for introducing us to such a perfect touch to such a timeless tradition.

Found Via Twitter

Craving a little lace in your life? Who isn't? These cute tape rolls add perfection to any simple decor you may have lying around. Thanks so much to Paper Garland Blog by Paloma Naderi for finding this fun cocktail hour detail.

Found on Etsy by Nothing Elegant

An emotional first glance photo

Actually, its taken just moments before.  It's a hold your breath image, isn't it? What happened 5 seconds later between Krista and Chris later was just as priceless.  I had forgotten about this image (it's from 2006) until I came across it again on Brooklyn Bride. This was such an amazing wedding.

This photograph is art.  The artist is Julie Goodacre.

Gray, Yellow, Black. Favor, Program, Snack

These were from Audrey Snows wedding.  I just like the picture.  And the lemonheads.

Pretty neat how you can make the simplest candy chic isn't it?