Weddingbee Blog

I know y’all have been seeing a lot of us old bees but I hope you have room for another bee’s humble story. I’m coming out of the drawer (get it? ’cause I’m a pencil!?!? ok, lame, I know) to share with you the story of how I came to be sharpened (someone, stop me!)

How I found Weddingbee and all of YOU amazing people:

When I first got engaged in July 2008, an amazing friend mentioned in passing this strange website where lots of different engaged girls blogged about their weddings and they took on different monikers, like bugs and flowers and food. I was interested but not enough to go home and try to find this strange blog about “weddings” and “bees.”

A year later, I was in the thick of actually planning my May 2010 wedding, and I was searching for inspiration. I remembered this blog I had heard of and googled, quite literally, “wedding” and “bee.” Of course, I found this illustrious wedding site and was enticed by these amazing women planning these beautiful weddings. Bloggers like Mrs. Lab and Mrs. Cowboy Boot immediately drew me in and I slowly realized all of the brides-to-be had a unique voice and wonderful wedding story to tell.

As October rolled around, I realized I wanted to join these women. I created a blog and promptly sat on it for nearly two months.

Applying to Weddingbee:

I didn’t have the guts to actually put into print the ideas, thoughts and plans I had made for our May nuptials. I didn’t feel that I had enough brilliance to join the ranks of the current blogging bees, and my fear held me back for the entire month of October and nearly all of November. Finally, the Friday after Thanksgiving, I sat down at my computer and began to write. I started by sharing how I’d made my initial decisions, like color choices, venue, and bridesmaids. I got a huge kick in the pants (read: sheer terror) when I saw a bee was being introduced who was from Baltimore and I thought that I would never be accepted because I was from a similar region (how silly I was! This doesn’t matter at all!). So, naturally, I worked even harder on my blog and submitted my application one week later.

I patiently waited on pins and needles for the next month, checking my email and phone constantly. I slowly and painfully watched others become bees and then saw on the boards that some began to receive emails asking them to consider re-applying in the future. Like I mentioned in my intro post, I panicked and emailed Pengy, explaining that I was sure I had missed my rejection email. She told me, and I quote, “As a matter of fact, we did some application voting today with the committee and there is a distinct reason you didn’t get a rejection email :).” I tried to contain my excitement, and accepted the offer to become a bee a short hour later.

“Bee”ing Mrs. Pencils:

My indecisive self struggled with the moniker to choose—I was so drawn to both Argyle and Pencils. In the end, I am quite happy with my choice, and, as most bees would agree, it’s practically impossible to consider being anything but Pencils today.

The four months I blogged prior to my wedding really helped me solidify my thoughts and plans for the occasion and opened me up to a world that I previously did not know existed. The support that an online community provides—of people I’ve never even met—is astounding and heartwarming. I feel a part of something much larger than myself and connected to a vast array of people across the country (and even world!). As a young girl, I used to sit at my family’s computer and write stories for hours. Since beginning to blog, I’ve rediscovered my love of writing and created an outlet for my strange daily thoughts.

The women I’ve joined the ranks of as a bee inspire me to think a bit broader about what’s possible with my life and career—many have gone on to start amazing businesses, while others chose to switch careers to pursue the things that made them happiest as they planned their weddings. In doing so, they’ve expanded my own view of what my future can contain, of what Mr. Pencils and I can potentially pursue together. This passion and this open mindedness is a great gift, and I can think of no greater thing to gain from women I’ve likely not even met in person.

My tips for future applicants:

Write. Just write. You can’t apply if you stop yourself from doing the one thing you need to do!

When you think of a post idea, immediately jot it down or start a post with a few notes about your thoughts or else you WILL forget it!

Try to share things that you think would be interesting to share with a complete stranger or your FI’s best friend—these are likely the things you could blog about. If it’s only interesting to you, there’s a chance that it won’t appeal to a broad audience like the readers of Weddingbee.

Read through the archives of old bees and familiarize yourself with their stories—it will help you solidify your own story as you read through others. Don’t try to mimic, but do seek to understand how good bloggers weave their stories with images and anecdotes that appeal to others.

It’s been said a million times over, but find your voice. Don’t try to be anyone but yourself. If you’re funny, don’t hold back. If you’re emotional, be your sappy self. If you’re like me, and are not outwardly anything, just be you—don’t get lost in trying to be something you’re not.