Y’all. Our wedding was a dream come true and I can hardly wait to share with you the a million precious moments. As I look back on every social media post, clip, photo, and video captured it truly does take me right back- even the blurry ones. I can’t delete a thing. It’s so crazy to me that I am now looking back at my wedding because for so long I was looking “forward” and building up to this day. During the planning stages and grabbing as much videos and photos along the way as I could- and wow I am so thankful for this. I think everyone expected it because I really do a great job documenting the journey no matter what I am doing most of the time though work or my sweet little boy, Caleb. I’ll admit, this wedding I stepped it up a notch though. A small part of me wondered ‘Hey, I could totally put my phone camera down right now and just “be in the moment” but I will be dead honest-during those moments I felt this little voice say “Hey. You will want to remember this too!” And to encourage y’all that think twice about documenting even the small silly things. Do it. I can confidently say, I took video of every little milestone, from the beginning stages of venue tours to Nick and I practicing our surprise choreographed dance we learned from a random YouTube video. And, instagramming throughout my wedding day. Yep. Live streaming my wedding ceremony from a little birds eye view to share the moment I walked down the staircase to the aisle and said I DO. I AM SO THANKFUL. Moments to relive that are now making Nick and I are crying and laughing so hard it hurts. Moments I have cherished with my son as he watches his mommy get married. The moments that are the beginning of a new chapter. I can’t wait to share with you this very special part of my life. Tons to come. I had originally started editing a few videos to play around with some concepts and they are currently LIVE on my YouTube Channel. Blogging is not a native element for me but I am now finding it new and therapeutic in a way. Expressing myself through editing life moments comes easy- taking a breath, literally listening to smooth jazz to chill me out so I can take a breath and write is a new world. I still blog through my mom blog group with collincountymomsblog.com but it’s entirely different here, so bare with me! I plan on pairing my videos with a post that should include some behind the scenes elements and more thought process. I love to share and can’t wait to officially get started!

-XO Socially Sarah

To kickoff sharing my wedding details, let’s recap what I shared to my instagram stories along the way. I have tons to make a separate post of what I posted and when, but here is what I shared along the way in my instagram stories and eventually I’ll post IGTV’s (which will also be on my YouTube Channel linked)

PRE WEDDING GRAM: 2 days before my wedding day moments, bridal crafts, wedding dilemmas, future husband moments, indecisive moments, designing my wedding timelines, sending out my wedding invites and more.

WEDDING DAY GRAM: I share moments from waking up, finalizing wedding preparations and gifts, documenting my makeup before and after, sweet sweet bridesmaids and their bridesmaids robes, my bridal suite decorations, walking into my wedding reception area and more!

Sneak preview of pictures! Professionals are from Tyler and Lindsey Photo&Video Team (based in DFW) and the other photos are my own! Plus of course snapshots from friends and family that sent some along the way!

The post Coming Soon! My Wedding Content! appeared first on Social With Sarah.

This video has been over a year in the making!!!!

Wedding Venue Tour Across North Texas: Video Blog by Sarah Crilley

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/VySNBc2S0Lw” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>

This video has been over a year in the making!!!! You will notice our multi season display of clothing (we started tours in the summer and ended in the winter! 6 months of looking)

I highly encourage brides to document their journey as they look at venues. This video was truly a joy as we walked down memory lane. Just to hear our thought process early on was so sweet. We had no idea what we were doing and I am thankful we took the time to take quick videos along the way. Enjoy! Venues we toured included two beautiful ranch styles in McKinney, Legacy Ranch and Stone Crest. We toured two locations by the Walter’s Weddings Estates: Chapel Ana Villa in The Colony Texas and Aristide Flower Mound Texas.

https://waltersweddingestates.com/dallasfort-worth

More in depth look at all venues on my blog, www.socialwithsarah.com #nearlyanielsen #newlywednielsen

NOTE TO MY GROOM, HUSBAND TO BE: I appreciate my incredible groom, Nick for letting me document our journey and posting it on the internet. It’s not easy to open up and agree to post our little home video for others to see. They will watch tons of laughs and so much fun. It truly was a journey to get to this point! I love you for giving each venue a chance, giving your “all” when it came to the final decision.

Our multi-venue tour:

Venue #1: Avalon Legacy Ranch: Outdoor wedding, VERY Rustic, Woodland, Family friendly, Charming and Unique. Consider wearing cowboy boots with your wedding dress.

Avalon Legacy Ranch was the perfect rustic and southern Texas venue nestled in the woodlands of McKinney. Driving up to the venue you will experience true Texas, wide open farm land and cows. Guests will have the true Texas experience. The venue is 8 minutes from the McKinney square with is a charming historic district with plenty of shopping

The Alter is an arch complete with white Perfect to cater BBQ, perfect for a giant house party feel under twinkling string cafe lights on the humongous back patio.

The family that owns this venue is filled with love. They told us if it rained, they would hand-wipe down the seats. They were absolutely the sweetest people on the planet.

My fiancé was absolutely loved the lake, the alter at the bottom of the hill and how accommodating the staff was.

Venue #2: Stone Crest Venue, McKinney Texas: Outdoor venue with breathtaking views, grand feel, high vaulted ceilings, gorgeous new venue “feel”, wow factor.

The view was incredible, just minutes from McKinney. Similar priced to the other venues in McKinney. They quoted us $5,000 for the venue on a Friday. Discount for a January wedding.

Chapel Ana Villa: Romantic, elegant, classy, memorable.

First words out of my mouth (documented in the video) “THIS IS IT!”

I knew when we drove up that Chapel Ana Villa was the one. The venue has a romantic feel from the very beginning as you walk up to a grand fountain, the charming chapel is complete with a winding staircase, breathtaking magnolia trees(our favorite). This venue has the best of an outside feel INDOORS! We loved the easy access through the Hotel literally in the parking lot (easy access)

Hidden Pines: Located in Flower Mound and Lewisville. I noted the location wrong in my video as Aristide but alas, it was called Hidden Pines.

We loved this venue. Two words, Crystal. Chandeliers. This location was brand new! I think candles next to the fireplace would add so much ambience and set the love tones for any wedding. This venue has the perfect natural light for pictures.

++++

More in depth look at all wedding topics my blog, www.socialwithsarah.com #nearlyanielsen #newlywednielsen

NOTE TO MY GROOM, HUSBAND TO BE: I appreciate my incredible groom, Nick for letting me document our journey and posting it on the internet. It’s not easy to open up and agree to post our little home video for others to see. They will watch tons of laughs and so much fun. It truly was a journey to get to this point! I love you for giving each venue a chance, giving your “all” when it came to the final decision.

The post Wedding Venue Tour Across North Texas appeared first on Social With Sarah.

By Sarah Crilley
Bringing my son, Caleb to the State Fair of Texas year after year is something I look forward to. Each trip is unique to its own, and the kick-off to this State Fair season is extra sweet!
Our first stop is Stiffler’s Moms Cookie Factory. This will be our first visit to check it out with founder and owner, Tammy Stiffler.
Tammy Stiffler, nicknamed the Sweet Queen, owner of Stiffler’s Mom’s Cookie Factory is “rolling in the dough” at The State Fair of Texas 2018.. literally!
The newest creation she has brought to the fair is Stiffler’s Mom’s Cookie Factory, “It is homemade through and through!”
Stiffler buckets the fresh baked cookies (up to 3 dozen high!) which draws quite the attention walking through crowds at the fair! “It’s tempting to just want to reach out and grab one when you see someone walking by!”
Tammy and her staff work an entire month prior to the fair preparing for the 24-day event!
Fairgoers can watch the entire cookie baking process: From the big giant red mixer to the cookie dough dropped onto giant baking sheets, you can smell the cookies baking throughout the fair. YUM!
Rough numbers:
Tammy has the capability of making 8,000 cookies per day x 24 days of the State Fair of Texas= 192,000 cookies! (She actually believes it is more than that figure!)
Family owned and operated, Tammy Stiffler’s family has owned concessions since 90’s. They quickly expanded from one stand to several locations throughout the fairgrounds and take pride in bringing new and delicious sweet creations to the fair.
Other Fun Facts:
-The Stiffler’s make homemade ice cream with a John Deere Tractor!
-Tammy and her husband’s first date was at the fair!
-Tammy Stiffler has visited other fairs throughout the country to see what they can bring back to Texas. The Cookie Factory was inspired from Minnesota!
-Stiffler’s are the only stand that does DEEP FRIED DOUBLE STUFFED OREOS!
-“Stiffler’s Mom” is a fun chuckle relation to the movie, American Pie
-Tammy’s Big Tex Choice Awards winners: Fried S’mores, Fried Lemonade, Fried Taste of Autumn Pumpkin Pie
-Follow on Facebook, Stiffler’s Facebook Page
-Follow State Fair of Texas Facebook Page
Visit at The State Fair of Texas on the Midway! September 28- October 21st, 2018
https://bigtex.com

The post NEW COOKIE FACTORY AT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS appeared first on Social With Sarah.

The post How to Use Social Media for the Most Return in Marketing appeared first on Social With Sarah.

Gone are the days when people got information from news stands, the nightly news, and posters around town. Today everything is online, and for your Rotary club to stay visible, it needs to be online as well. The digital market is constantly changing, with new platforms being developed, new algorithms to shake up what you thought you knew, and a fast-paced information cycle, it can seem overwhelming and feel confusing.

It doesn’t have to be difficult, though, to share your club’s activities online and boost the number of eyes looking at your club. The goals are simple: Get new members. Let the members find out information quickly and easily. Promote events. I can take you through the steps of promoting your Rotary club online, and give tips and tricks for getting engagement and a far reach on each post!

The post Social Media and Rotary appeared first on Social With Sarah.