Hi, Bees! When Pengalicious brought up the idea of a series talking about blogging a la WeddingBee, I was so excited. As several other Bees have written... WeddingBee can be a lifechanger.
Let me start at the beginning.
Way back in October 2008, I had just started to plan my wedding and felt a bit overwhelmed. My family lives in Texas; I live in Chicago... Out of necessity, I was planning this shindig largely on my own and I didn't know where to start. Several of my friends had recently wed, and unanimously, they all said "You HAVE to read WeddingBee, it's the best." One of my friends said it was the only wedding blog she read because the others were so negative and intimidating for an average, normal bride with an average budget.
Well, I took their advice, and I. Was. Addicted. As we all know, once you discover the 'Bee, that browser refresh button gets a lot of use. All of the bloggers were so entertaining and had their own personality. Some were great at DIY, some were so insightful, some were downright hilarious. I loved it! I was SO hooked, that I decided to see if I could become a Bee myself...
I started a blog for - let's face it - the sole purpose of becoming a Bee. In my day job, I do a ton of writing, and I wanted to learn how to write for an audience, as well as document my journey to wedded bliss. I was looking for a supportive community, and I found it! I had no idea how important this support would become. Dun Dun Dunnnnn ;)
So I started my lil Blogger account and wrote for two weeks. My close girlyfriends were the only ones who had my blog address. I told no one that I was applying to WeddingBee. I sent in my application to Mrs. Bee, and waited with bated breath. Seriously, I sucked it in everytime I checked my email.
FINALLY, (I really only had to wait a few days, but it felt like an eternity!) I received an email from BEE@ weddingbee.com. She wrote that while they liked what they read, that they wanted to see more. That of course meant that I wrote every day for the next ten days! On the tenth day, I was ensconced in the deepest of deep woods in Northern Wisconsin on a business trip. My email barely worked. I was only able to check my email once every few days.
I called my fiance and asked him to check my email and see if Bee or Pengy had written me while I was away... AND THEY HAD! They asked me to join the Hive as a blogger. I was thrilled, covered in bug spray and sweat in the crappiest hotel you've ever seen. (Seriously, WHO doesn't have internet!?) My fiance had to write Pengy on my behalf and explain that I was out-of-pocket but I definitely wanted to be a Bee and would write the second I got back into civilization.
Picking Snapdragon as my moniker was a no-brainer. I mean, duh. As I have said before... Snappy, Snappin', Snapilicious, Snap, SnoopinSnap... like the actual Snapdragon flower: endless entertainment!
Over the next few months, I learned so much about blogging. Seriously, for a newbie blogger, WeddingBee is the best place to cut your teeth. Mrs. Bee and Pengy are experts, so when you blog here, you learn from the best. (I am not kissing their ultra-fine booties saying that - it's just true.) I learned what material works best, how to communicate via web, how create a steady flow of content.
I also got to know so many of you and the other blogger Bees. I had never been a part of an internet community that was so free of Ego. Snark? What is that? People were just normal - the way I imagine they are in their real life. Every blogger Bee I've met is exactly the way they seem in their blog entries. Friendly, thoughtful, ultra-creative, and the funniest ladies you've ever met. Truly.
Then, in February... I found out that my fiance was unfaithful on a Wednesday, and I called my wedding off that Friday. For the three days inbetween, my parents, my sisters, my best friend, and the Bees were the only ones who knew what was going on via email. The outpouring of support and emergency advice were what kept me going when my world was falling apart. I was in the Emotional Emergency Room, yo!
So to say WeddingBee was a lifechanger for me is no exaggeration. On the surface, my lack of privacy when it came to my breakup was difficult... in the end, it was healing. I couldn't be ashamed, and I had no reason to be.
Sometimes I think of how WeddingBee has affected me - I can tell you I will never look at wedding details in the same way again (those suckers are a lot of work!) They have also created a love in me for all things wedding and blogging. There's a reason most Bees continue blogging long after they wed, including me. Having been a part of such an incredible community, how could I leave? Blogworld is awesome! :)
Advice for new bloggers:
The first thing I learned as a blogger... a blog is not a personal diary. There is a fine line between telling the truth and spilling your guts. Life isn't perfect, and sometimes bad things need addressing (like why I wouldn't be posting anymore doily-folding tutorials!) Using a blog as therapy is almost always a bad idea. When blogging, ask yourself, does anyone else want to read this? Is this self-serving or helpful? It's a good reality check! And remember, once something goes on the internet.... good luck erasing it!
My other piece of advice is to have integrity. In blogland - and ESPECIALLY in wedding blogland - you may feel a great deal of pressure to lead a lifestyle that is fascinating or a wedding that is "incredible." Don't let other people determine the sort of wedding - or life - that you will lead. Be yourself always. People can tell when you're faking it... and why would you want to? You're pretty great just the way you are!
That's blogging the way that I see it - XOXO
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