Ripped from the pages of Brides magazine

I still read wedding magazines.  Don't get me wrong, I love blogs and pinterest and photographers websites, but there is something to be said for what is in print.  If you haven't picked up an issue of Brides magazine since its relaunch this spring ... it is time.

Word down the aisle is that the already spiffy website may be getting some upgrades later this year too.

Here is one of my favorite pages.  It's the wedding style page created by Cyd Converse over at The Sweetest Occasion.  Hello Style. Cyd has a garden wedding down like nobodys business. One of each please.

Another thing about print to consider; often the editors will save their favorite weddings exclusively for the print issue and then release it to the online world later. In other words, you haven't seen what is in print 40 times already.  It is fresh and new and fabulous.

We're Having a DIY Wedding 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

Featured in Brides Florida Magazine

One of the perks of being engaged are the pre-wedding celebrations. Oh how I love to plan these as well! Take advantage of your engagement and enjoy all the excitement that goes along with it.Wedding planners are great to hire for consultation to get the scoop on the best locations, ideas, and ways to make all of your events that much more special than you could have even imagined. No, you do not have to have your wedding shower at Aunt Sue's and your bachelorette party can be swanky without being, ummmm, well, you know.


Look for some of our favorite places in the newest issue of Brides Florida magazine (Page 122). The editors came to Weddings by Socialites for all the great places to host your "other wedding parties". Namely, showers, rehearsal dinners, and bachelorette parties.
Oh, and isn't the cover gorgeous?

Recap of the Grand Unveiling & the winners too!

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us last night for the Grand Unveiling at Grandezza! The evening was a huge success. Many thanks to Sean Hynes at Grandezza for hosting the event.
It was awesome to put faces to some of our readers names and to be introduced to so many new brides. Here are a few photos for those who weren't able to make it out:
Our famous polaroid bride & veil board
The swag bag! It included a selection of wedding magazines, a weddings by socialites koozie, and a WBS wedding planner binder full of everything a bride needs to get started with their planning.Some of the details....
Our mini ceremony site with a photo montage of our weddings running on the tv.
And finally, one of our signature candy bars.

Drum roll please! The winners of the polaroid bride contest are: Casey H, Bethany S, and Nicole P! We'll be emailing you to fill you in on all the details. Congrats!

Studio & Library Hours 9/15-9/21

Here are the hours we'll be open for brides in the Planning Studio & Bride's Library next week:
Monday 10am to 6pm
Tuesday 10am to 5pm
Wednesday CLOSED for special event
Thursday 1pm to 6pm
Friday CLOSED for wedding
Saturday CLOSED for wedding

Stop by, we'd love to see you!

Recap: Crazy, Funny, Cool Week

This week and Last week have been busy ones here at the studioThis week Andrea joined the team. Welcome Andrea! We did a little shopping yesterday and scored big time. We got these awesome bowls and trays on clearance for Writer Bride's wedding. Well, not all of them had the red tag, so we asked nicely, and the nice ladies at the store gave us 50% off EVERYTHING. Woohoo! Yep, we like to save our clients money! Click to enlarge the photo.
I don't usually put pics of our brides up before the wedding, but we're going to today. This is Fishing Bride and she won a weekend at Cabbage Key at our party for the brides! You'll see more about why we call her fishing bride after her wedding...it will all make sense then. Like all our clients, she's so cool.
Some pictures from last week (Click the photo to enlarge). Yeah, we laugh ALOT around here. Wedding planning is not easy work (especially when your're planning a dozen of them). So we laugh and dance to get through the rough parts of the day. Okay, Emily. She had to stay home from school one day. She was sick for like a minute. And we really did order 1000 keylimes for Florida Bride's wedding next week. Publix thinks we got the recipe wrong for key lime pie. I think we'll ask for 5 pie crusts when we go pick them up. Then they'll really think we're nuts.
Last week Lucky Bride & groom came over from Delray Beach for a planning weekend. We did her centerpiece mock-up, floral consult, wrote her ceremony, and had her tasting. Yep, you could say it was a busy 2 days.

Planner + Bride + Photographer= The Ultimate Showcase

After realizing that half the readers of this blog are brides and the other half are planners & industry pros, I thought it would be fun to do another showcase. It's been a while anyway. So this time we're calling on everyone to jump in. Wouldn't it be fun to bring an inspiration board to life? Here's how its going to work:

Last time we just did tabletops. This time I say we do anything wedding.

Planners: You get to pick what wedding element you want to showcase. Tabletop, Cake, Decor & Display, Floral, Paper Details, even a picture spot...anything that can be visual. You can use one of your favorite wedding professionals to help you with this (i.e. Florist, baker, linen company). You must give credit though if you go this route. And really, I prefer that you don't just "go out and buy it". Showcases must be new...no using a centerpiece from last Saturdays wedding (but do borrow the flowers from it!). Stroll through the land of creativity!

Brides: You get to guide your planner. It's all about what you want and it does not have to be at all related to your actual wedding. Your showcase planner will tell you what wedding element you'll be showcasing. You then give your planner everything she/he needs to create what you think is great. This might mean some inspiring pictures, colors, textures, words & thoughts...you catch my drift. Keep in mind that your planner will probably restricted- so don't expect Sylvia Weinstock to bake a cake or Preston Bailey to create a centerpiece for this showcase. But Sylvia & Preston, if you are reading, we'd love to have you.

Photographers: We'll need you to photograph the bride, the planner, and the showcase element. We'll take and post a total of 6 photos for each showcase. You'll receive plenty of Blog Love (credits and link) of course.

Everyone: If you want to participate, email weddingtidbits @gmail.com. We'll take care of matching up a bride with a planner and a planner with a photographer. Obviously, we need all 3 to be local to each other for the photographing. So you might want to spread the word to folks in your area, letting them know about this blog showcase so that they can email in as well. Special request to my fellow bloggers- please pass on the news via your blogs!

Please use the subject line: "2008 Showcase".

Deadline to email in to participate is July 20th. We'll reply back with a basic form for you to fill out so that we can get everyone matched up. The sooner you email us, the quicker we can get you matched up.
I will do everything I can to have everyone matched up, but depending on the number of requests and location restrictions I might have to slim it down a bit. But again, I'll try my darndest!
Once we have everyone matched up, we'll get you all your contact info and you can have at it! We'll plan on the 1st of the Ultimate Showcase features around August 1st.
Same as last time- this isn't a contest; just blog fun & wedding inspiration!

How many people to get bride-ified?

Apparently, quite a few.

1st, there is the support team: Then there's the pros (Fresh Beauty Studio): The mom and sister duo (1st attempt at the sash that wouldn't cooperate): The final touches squad (attempt 2 at the sash): Yep, the bride too (that sash still isn't right): Then of course, you know mom, dad, and the wedding planner all have to get in on it (finally, we got the sash on!): And with that, complete Brideification: Boy that was tiring:
Thank you Julie Goodacre for the awesome photos!

Wedding Showcase #1

I am so thrilled about these! And honestly, I didn't realize so many people read this blog. I guess I'll keep it up; thanks everyone.

Enjoy just looking, post a comment, and/or send me an email if you want more info from the creators. I've gotten mucho grande feedback on this project, so there are many more great photos to come. I hope the showcase brings you some inspiration.

From Misty at Forever Weddings in California:

This is a tabletop Misty did for a recent bridal show. She's re-doing her office at the moment and is planning on sending another photo later this month.

From Vane at Brooklyn Bride:

"I did lavender sachets as favors...I've actually been meaning to try these out for a while as gifts for my bridesmaids, but your showcase gave me the push I needed to get my sewing machine out and start crackin. The fabric was from a napkin I bought on sale at Anthropologie, originally $4.00, I got it for $1.95! (note: 1 napkin made 8 sachets for me) The lavender I've had sitting in my closet for MONTHS since my cousin came back from Provence with 2 bags for me, but I'm sure you could find online as well. I would use them in sets of 3 tied with a pretty ribbon and place at each placesetting...your whole venue will smell like the south of France!"

From me:

I thought I would pull together a pre-wedding breakfast or brunch table. Perhaps something for you and the girls as you wait to get your hair & make-up done. A couple things I want to point out- it doesn't have to be dark to use candles. They always look pretty. Don't be afraid to use a few colors, but don't go overboard. Three is usually a good visual. If something looks flat, layer it for dimension. The napkins looked dreadful just laying there, so I added a tiny bloom set on top of each and it was a 100% improvement. Everything came out of my house except the scones & flowers. The table turned out so pretty that I emailed a couple nearby gals over for coffee tomorrow morning. I'll probably have to replace the scones though. I couldn't help myself.

Wedding showcase: By you.

I had the best idea this afternoon as I was catching up on all my favorite blogs. Half the reason I love to read blogs is for the pictures. I find them very inspiring. Inspiration boards I DO love. But how much fun would it be to show a bunch of tabletops, welcome bags, or favors that you come up with yourself? Let's do it! But you'll have to give me until Friday to post mine, because it'll take me that long to do one and my current to do list is ridiculous.

Here's the info:
1. You don't have to go out and buy everything. Feel free to get creative with stuff you have and save a few bucks.
2. No copycats. Going to West Elm and taking a photo and then just changing the colors won't fly. The whole point is to be creative. Be inspired by- but don't copy. Don't be scared to try. Go way over the top- or don't. I'm always pleasantly surprised by how awesome simple can be on occassion.
3. It doesn't have to be "wedding". Yes, this is a wedding blog, BUT, there is more to getting married than the wedding. There are lots of dinners, showers, parties, etc. So a tabletop or favor for something like that would be fine!
4. No winners. This is a showcase- I'll post every one that comes in. If you can send a few shots of your designs, I might make a board out of it. But 1 or 2 photos (jpeg please) would be fine too.
5. You can do one in each category (tabletop, welcome bag, or favor) or you can do two, or just one- whatever you like. Just be prepared for a rash of questions if everyone loves what you came up with- I might email you for a resource list.
6. In your email, tell me a bit about whats in it and why (if applicable) and if you are a bride, wedding pro, or...

I'll post pictures thru the month of September. Oh I am very excited! My email address is over on the left sidebar. Email me if you have any questions.

Thank you notes ROCK!

Isn't it so true? Think about it. The last time you received a handwritten thank you note in your mailbox- didn't it just make your day? Every time I get one my day is instantly better.
Me, I love to send notes as much as I love to get them. Actually, I take that back, I might actually enjoy sending them more. I smile when I think about how happy it might make the person that is going to receive it. After each wedding or event, I send thank you notes to all the vendors who worked so hard to make that wedding better than my client expected. Usually, if I can get a good photo of the bride and groom myself, I'll include a snapshot with the thank you note.
So as you can imagine, I go through a gazillion thank you notes a year. And I have issues with sending the same card out time and time again. For that reason, I buy new cards every month. I do try and keep with my business colors, but every now and again I get wild when I find cards I just can't pass up. Here's the card I am using this week. It's a Crane & Co. card (Roses is the design).
I sent one to Clint Wiley yesterday to thank him for making my summer bash the party of the year (ok, I was the only one who voted. But I had a great time, and so yeah, it was. I'm totally cracking up right now by the way.)

Here is the number 1 question I get asked by my clients when it comes to thank you notes, "What do I have to send one for and how long do I have to get it out?"
Answer: Send a card to ANYONE and EVERYONE who sends you a gift or helps you with your wedding. Mail it within 5 days of receiving the gift or help, if you really want to make an impression. Now, when it comes to actual wedding gifts, that you receive at your wedding, obviously you have a little more time. But try not to go past 6 weeks. However, it is never ever too late. If you realize that you never sent a note for something you should have months ago- send it anyway, it will still make the recipient smile.

If you have a thank you note that you think I would love to get my fingers on, let me know!

Real Weddings Online

I do my best to get a few photos at each of my weddings so that I can share some real weddings with everyone. I think showcasing these weddings is fantastic because you can see what's going on in the real world. Well, the wedding world anyway. Anyhoo, during my fit of insomnia last night I realized that there are so many wedding magazines that now have real wedding sections online! Here's a short list for you...for when you get insomnia or need a wedding fix.

Grace Ormonde
Together In Style
WedLuxe
Inside Weddings
The Bride & Bloom

WPJA. What a great site; with or without insomnia.

I can't get enough of weddings pictures. Which of course somewhat explains my addiction to wedding books, magazines, and blogs. I have a bit of insomnia tonight and so I spent the last hour on WPJA just looking at pictures.
ALRIGHT! I CONFESS! I am also currently making a huge dent into a quart of Espresso Chip ice cream. Oh it is so good.
Back to cool wedding photos. Here are a few of my favorites.
You can see these and many many more phenomenal photos on the WPJA website. Check out the latest contest winners section. That's where I spent the last hour. Oh, and there is of course a tab up top just for brides & grooms.

Double Duty

Sometimes you have to find a reason to splurge on that one thing that will make you smile big at your wedding. Double duty is my favorite "excuse". For instance, in the case of the Boca Grande wedding last month, our stunning bride really wanted some great arrangements for the church. And well, you're only at the church for 30-45 minutes. So, it was a bit hard to justify; until I mentioned that we could use all the ceremony arrangements at the reception venue too.

Being that we had an hour between the ceremony end and when guests would enter the reception venue, my staff had enough time to swindle all the arrangements from the church and get them staged for ACT II (a.k.a reception) at Boca Grande Club. The entry arrangement became the centerpiece of the candy table, the altar arrangement flooded the ladies room with the sweet smell of lilies, and the church door welcome hearts later adorned the doors into the sweet surprise room. Check out The Wedding of Marguerite & Tripp to see what the Sweet Surprise was!

Lookie here...Woohoo...WIN some Telliegrams!

These have got to be one of the coolest new things I've seen lately. Totally unique, and downright cool. I also happen to like the fact that the designers name is Kelly. Turns out Kelly is as cool as her little boxes are and she's giving me a $100 Telliegram Gift Certificate to give to one of you! If you're a wedding pro, you can give the gift certificate to one of your clients as a gift or use it for your own business. Or if you're a bride, you can use the gift certificate yourself! My favorite is the lime green takeout box with the hot pink palm tree. Go figure.
To enter the contest, go to the Telliegrams website and find your favorite product. Then come back here, leave a comment with your name and your favorite product, and you'll be entered. You have until August 1st to enter. Want to increase your chances? Invite a friend to do the same and make a deal to split the gift certificate if she wins!

It's a win-win deal here- the coupon code above is good just in case you don't win the gift certificate. Be sure to enter though- someone has to win!

Momzilla

Yep. It has happened. More times than I can count on one hand. Moms and future Mother-n-laws who give more than 2 cents. More like $1.99. I kind of get why, and it almost...almost makes sense. As long as you've been dreaming of your wedding day- it goes double for them. So yeah, they want it perfect too. The problems usually arise when what you think is perfect, is most certainly not what she thinks is perfect. What's the best way to handle it? Play it it fair and be upfront from the get go. Invite the help where you do want it, and request where you don't want it. Really, you'll be so happy you did.

Oh, and when you ask your mom for help, make it special. Take her to lunch, talk it all out, and give her a nice gift. Emily Post just put out this new book, Emily Post's Wedding Planner for Moms. I think your mom and/or future mother-n-law will be tickled pink. Oh, and if you really want to impress her, show her that you got yourself the brides version. Even I use it- it does have answers to some tricky questions.

And the WINNERS are...

Here's the thing, the 1st name drawn was for a wedding professional. I felt like a bride needed to win too. So, we have 2 winners! Drum roll please...

Joyce of Murphy and Klein Floral Studio

AND

britnym87, whose favorite idea was the tissue paper poms from Martha Stewart.

Congrats to you both! I'll be in touch soon!

Weddings by Socialites on CNN!

So I got some pretty cool news this morning. After I received dozens of emails this last week from brides who were referred to us from CNN, I got in touch with the guys over at Budget Travel and found out that CNN did a segment on destination weddings and my interview with Budget Travel was the foundation for much of the segment. You can watch the CNN interview here. And the link to the original article by David LaHuta is over on the sidebar to the right.

Consulting with the floral designer

So you're ready to go to the florist and pick out your wedding flowers! Very exciting. Me, I love the floral consultation. It's the meeting where it all seems to come together. Often, brides go to these consultations with an open mind, and pictures they ripped out of the magazines. If you want to make the most out of your consultation- go prepared! Take the time before your consultation to flip through wedding amagazines and books, browse the wedding websites, and look for things you like and don't like. Take what you can: rip-outs, print outs, swatches, pictures of the sites you'll be marrying in and where the reception will take place, etc. It's not necessarily that you want to duplicate those photos; its so that the floral designer can get a sense of your style. Oh make sure that you bring a picture of your dress- it helps the designer offer his or her best suggestion for bouquet style and size.
And don't hesitate to walk in there with Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddingsor Colin Cowie's Extraordinary Weddings or Southern Weddings (my personal favorites and I think must reads for the bride who wants it all). Even though you may not have the budgets to pull some of those looks off- your designer might be able to offer suggestions to get you close to that point without breaking the bank.

Win a year of Wedding Inspirations!

This week I have been catching up on all my magazine reads. There are some really great articles and phenomenal new ideas that I can't wait to try out. No worries, I'll be posting about some of them very soon. In the meantime, while I was reading all these magazines I was inspired to do something fun. A contest!

It's very simple- click on the comment link below and leave your name & blog address or email me your name & email address at WeddingTidbits@gmail.com. I'll randomly pick, and then announce the winner on July 16th and that lucky person will receive a one year subscription to all of these magazines!

Want to increase your odds? Leave a comment on your favorite article or idea from one of the above magazines and I'll enter your name in twice! Good luck everyone!