Assuming that your wireless is working on the MacBook and the web server on the MacBook is configured correctly it should be easy.
You'll have to create a computer-to-computer network via the Airport menu in the menu bar. Then, in Sharing preferences, turn on Internet Sharing, sharing your connection from Built-In Ethernet (which actually won't be connected to anything in your case, of course). In the "To computers using:" area, select Airport and everything else except Built-In Ethernet. If your firewall is on you should probably turn it off.
Now, on the iPad/iPhone select the new network in your WiFi settings and make note of the router IP address that eventually appears. That should be the address of your MacBook's website. If you get assigned an IP that starts with 169 then something is awry.