Happy 1st Birthday to me!

Wow! I can’t believe it has been a year since I sat alone at the kitchen table and told the world (my 500 or so Facebook friends!) that I had set up a blog. I can still remember the knots in my stomach, a mixture of nerves and excitement as to whether people would like it, whether people would get it! As you may have seen in my 6 month update here, I spent three months creating my brand and my site, learning as I went along. There were tears when things didn’t go to plan and I had to push back my planned go-live date numerous times but in the end I got there. Now one year later I couldn’t have planned for a better year.

I have had some fantastic opportunities in my first year blogging. I have guest blogged on Hi! Magazine’s online weddings feature and also featured in Ask the Expert on Opsh.com, who also celebrate their 1st birthday this week. I have spoken to PJ Coogan on 96FM’s The Opinion Line numerous times discussing all things wedding related.

The highlight of my year has to be that after only 10 months of blogging I was shortlisted for Best Lifestyle Blog in the Blog Awards Ireland. This really was an amazing achievement and for it to be recognised by others in the blogging world was very special. I also received the Liebster Award, which is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers, and gives you a peek into my world here.

Another major highlight was meeting Lisa Cannon, you may have seen my blog post on Lisa’s wedding here. A retweet from Lisa and her seal of approval on my account of her big day was great praise and meeting her in the days following was the icing on the cake. We share a love of amazing weddings and a great name!

I have been lucky enough to get to know and meet some fantastic bloggers and wedding suppliers at various events around the country. Suppliers have been so generous in putting forward prizes for competitions including the big give away to celebrate my 1st Birthday here. I have also had some fantastic bloggers do collaborations with me on my blog. So many wonderful couples have also let me share their special day on my Real Life Weddings.

Thank you to the following for their contribution to my first year:
Suppliers: Cool & Co, Cocoa Brown, Divine Wedding Decor Hire, Fingerprint Mementos, Pearls & Lace, MyWeddingPlanner.ie, Lovin Letters, My Design Occasion, Alio Prints, Ballymaloe Foods, Le Grá Gifts by Siobhéal, MK Beauty, Art by Suzie, Blue Fusion Band, Personal Creations – Personalised Gifts, Talbot Hotel Wexford.
Collaborators: Dapper Dave Cash, Glamity Jane, Flowers by Caroline, Noreen Lane – Travel Counsellors.
Real Life Wedding Couples: Siobhan & Robert, Orla & Denis, Lyndsey & Michael, Eimear & Ian, Aoife & Darren, Maria & Padraig, Nora & Martin, Kathryn & Cormac, Ruth & Ryan and Laura & Johnny.

I love receiving messages from brides-to-be looking for my advice on different aspects of their wedding. The lovely comments I have received over the past week of people telling me how they keep up to date with my blog and how much of a help they find it, has been heart-warming. If I can bring a little inspiration to your bridal journey in some way then I’m happy. It’s thanks to you – the brides, bridesmaids, mothers, sisters, friends (and some grooms!) – that have made my blog what it is.

So that’s my first year. See my Top 5 posts from the last year here! It went by fast but for now it’s time to celebrate the highs and look forward to the next year. There are a few exciting things coming up in the next few months that you won’t want to miss, so watch this space!

For now I stick to my motto. Work Hard, Dream Big.

Love from my world,

Lisa x