The difference a table linen makes.

Here is a before and after of an outdoor wedding cocktail reception space that I designed with Signature Florals.  Notice in this first photograph, that the space is already decorated with the very pretty flowers.  It looks a bit unfinished doesn't it?  Maybe even a bit empty?

Before the linens and chair pads

And here is the space once we added the white pads to the chairs and the simple gray linens (to the floor- always!) and a white lace runner. Empty, no.  Polished, yes.

A completed space (with exception of the votive candles)

Letterpress map postcards (not boring, gorgeous)

I died when I opened this envelope.  It just wasn't what I expected and instantly I wanted to be there.  Pretty much, that is the reaction you want your invited guests to have when you're letting them know about your destination wedding.

Letterpress map of Hawaii by Couture Maps

Every face of this piece is detailed- envelope included

But this- this is what made this particular postcard blog worthy:

The back of the postcard is Hand sewn by Mira Aster

 Talk about every detail. I love it.

Programs and Favors. Simple and Sweet. Yellow and Gray.

What we made in the studio today:

The simplest ceremony card and the sweetest little box of candy

It's raining. How about some Jazz?

I'm working on music for a wedding right now and its beyond pouring outside.  Here's whats relaxing me at the moment:

Where you'll find us this week

Kelly

At the Weddings by Socialites studio we do an enormous amount of planning and designing.  All typically while singing along with Pandora.  Usually it causes laughter like this (because none of us can sing):

Melissa

Courtney

Here's where you'll find us this week:
Online we're mentioned on:
Inspired by this
Brides.com
Calligraphy by Jennifer

Venues we'll be visiting:
Heitman House
Bacchus
Casa Ybel
The Ritz
Brew Babies
The Resort & Spa at Marina Village

Dining at:
The Sandy Butler
CRU
Marker 92

Shopping at:
Homegoods
Ikea

Big huge THANK YOU to Impressions Photography for our new summer pictures.

Erin+Luke=True Hearts

Engagement sessions are always a lot of fun. But this one was extra-special because I've known Erin since forever! She was a just a kid writing stories & avoiding homework in my classroom (in my former life as a teacher), and it was not too long ago that Chris & I photographed her ME! Session for her high school graduation! Though all the years I've known her, she's always had a love of adventure, an amazing spirit, and the best most contagious laugh I've ever heard! But it was still a big surprise when I got her email telling me she had fallen in love. Hard. With a handsome Australian. Named Luke. Who had proposed!

Here are some favs from their session. Erin & Luke are so sweet together & I'm so excited for them. Extra thanks to Alex (also a former student of mine & Erin's best friend) now a fabulous NYC stylist, who helped out with their shoot at the last minute!





























Congrats E+L!

Photographer Tastes the Cake

Today was a fun cake tasting.  Actually, I haven't been to a cake tasting that wasn't fun, but that's beside the point.  The hour at Ella's cakes today was with Photographer Bride & Groom. This is what I caught on twitter just after we sent them the message about their cake tasting at Ella's Cakes today:

and so, today he didn't photograph Daniella's beautiful cakes (as seen here and here).

Photographer Bride & Groom tasting the cake

Today the photographers ate the cake.  So how was is different than our typical bride & groom? It was funny to see "the professionals" struggle a bit with being the client they always wish to have.  The client that allows the professionals to do what they do best and trust that we as professionals always have our clients best interests in mind.  Photographer bride & groom did though, because they do know.  And because they are trusting- they'll have an amazing cake they love.

Paper Bags at a wedding. No I haven't lost my mind.

They're cute, super inexpensive, and the possibilities are endless:
Lumiaries, Take-away bags (candy or late night munchie stations), petals for tossing...

Grey, Yellow and black Paper bag

This is the bag I designed for Photographer Bride's wedding.  Contents are a surprise.
This was super easy to make.  I designed the graphic and then just fed it through my laser printer. Then I just used a color coated paper clip and tied some ribbon on to make it pretty and add a bit more color and dimension.

P.S. Yes, those are the flowers I tweeted about this morning.

Save the date a different way, t-shirts

Honestly, I think I might just squeal a bit if I got this in the mail.  Then I would promptly head to Kayak and book my flight.

Save the date t-shirt for Captiva Island

You can expect to spend about $8-$15 a t-shirt, depending on the quality, style and screen printing design.  I like to order from Skyline Outfitters because they have low minimums and, well, they're our really nice plaza neighbors.

Melissa and I popped into their shop to see what they had and I also liked the idea of the groomsmens swim trunks and bridesmaids bikinis (cute welcome bag additions!).  Both of which can be embroidered.

Of course, then you have to wrap it up cute to mail:

Map wrapped save the date for an island destination wedding

Wedding Planner Confession

I adore the look of DIY. Especially when I see gorgeous details on blogs like Ruffled.
I confess that I HATE the actual do it yourself part (i.e. glue guns, scissors and fancy paper cut in thirds, less one inch).
That's why I love that I have a team (Melissa & Courtney) that loves to do the crafty stuff:

(L to R) Kelly, Melissa, Courtney photo by impressions

and I order from Etsy religiously.
Do you have anything to confess?

Unique Invitation idea for the "other parties"

One of my favorite things about getting married is that there are usually several parties leading up to the big day.  I love the styling and planning behind all of them.  I was away from the studio the last couple weeks freshening up and taking a short break and of course I've come back with a million ideas.

This 1st one came to me in the check out line at Ikea.  I know, kind of odd (normal for me).  But you never know where you'll find inspiration.  So I found this set of wooden serving utensils at the "gotcha" bin; you know that bin that's impossible to pass up.  How cute is this set I turned into an invitation to a seaside potluck picnic lunch? Perfect for a casual affair, perhaps a picnic or brunch.  Or even a dinner party.  All you need to do to make it a bit more formal is replace the packing tape with a beautiful silk ribbon and mail the set in a pretty box.

Super Simple DIY:

1. Buy the utensil set
2. Use some ultra fine point sharpies to decorate and write on all the info
3. tape together with cute packing tape from Michaels
4. Bring to post office to have weighed and pick up the stamps
5. Mail just as is, no envelope or box required
6. Get ecstatic phone calls when the invitees receive their ridiculously cute invitations

Need a venue for your "other" parties? Check out this article I contributed to for Brides Florida magazine

Jill+Mourad=Real. | Cabo Wedding Photographers

CHRIS+LYNN Cabo Wedding Photographer



Really happy. Really, really in love. And really, truly in the moment. Throughout their wedding day, Jill and Mourad were all taking in every second of their once-in-a-lifetime experience in Cabo San Lucas.  They didn't worry about the schedule being a bit behind, a little mixup with the flowers, or some stubborn sequins that refused to stick; instead, they simply went with the flow and found joy in every moment, in all their guests, and in each other.

We had such an amazing time with them throughout the day and night so forgive me in advance for the major overuse of exclamation points in this blog post of some of our favourites from their day at Melia Cabo Real!

Details - they just go better with palm trees and cactus :)





After a few rounds of pre-wedding poker, Mourad gets ready to see his bride.



Looking good! I love me a handsome groom - especially with a turquoise tie!



The naturally gorgeous Jill.  Love her energy!



And love her smile!



Chris' fav from the day.



And my favourite. Okay, well, my favourite sequence of images - First Looks are almost always my favourite especially when they involve a gorgeous happy couple and some rolling ocean waves!







Such a beautiful scene - love the beaches at Melia Cabo Real.








Beach ceremony setup: simple & lovely.



So much emotion throughout the ceremony! Revered Marco Arechiga is so genuine & he makes every ceremony so personal; he is one of the best officiants we've ever encountered on our travels around the world.









Woo-hoo! Jill & Mourad make their first kiss a good one!









First dance.





Congratulations J+M - thank you for having us document your day - it was amazing!