Weddingbee Blog

How did I find Weddingbee?

I actually found Weddingbee back in 2007 when I was engaged to Mr. D the first time around. I was googling something wedding related when Google sent me to a post by the wonderful, Mrs. Strawberry and I was immediately in love the with the hive. However, our engagement never actually went towards wedding planning, so to save myself from going crazy I stopped coming to Weddingbee. Then we got engaged the second time around. I waited for about six months, when the wedding planning actually began before actually signing up and becoming a poster on the boards. I was so excited to come back to the hive though—it was such a loving and supportive community and I couldn’t wait to be a part of it!

My Application Story

I’ve always been a writer of sorts. I was an editor of my high school and college newspapers and I specialized in editorial writing. When I realized that it was starting to get close to when I could apply, I started up my blog and starting hounding the ladies I had come to know so well on the night chats in the hive to read my blog and give me feedback. The ladies were so kind and so supportive. They were always right there to read my stuff and give me feedback (Mrs. Teacup, before she was Mrs. Teacup, was an invaluable help! She would always comment on my blog and encourage me to keep going!). I blogged for about three weeks, and sent my application in as soon as Pengy announced they were accepting for March 2012.

Once that application left my outbox, I was nervous.

Mr. D didn’t get it. I would check my email every day, and I kept my phone by me. I bemoaned to my night ladies about waiting so long. I knew it would be a while before I heard anything, but I still checked religiously. Four days after I applied, I got the email from Pengy. I honestly could not believe it. They wanted me? Really? And they did, they really did.

And in my excitement, I announced myself on the boards before they announced me on the blog. But I couldn’t help it, the ladies on the boards had given me so much support and love, that I wanted to share the moment with them. That was honestly the best part of getting accepted for me.

What it’s like blogging for Weddingbee/being a bee?

I’m still in awe over the fact that I am a bee. I get little shocks when I sign onto Weddingbee and there is a picture of Mr. D and me on the front page. It’s so great being a blogger because it gives me a chance to share my story with others and to hopefully inspire other brides. I have friends and family all over the country, so this has also become a way to share my wedding experiences with them, even if they can’t be here to experience it themselves.

I know that every other bee says this, but it is one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had. Becoming a bee was like gaining a whole gaggle of sisters who get exactly what you are going through. Suddenly you have these awesome women all over the world who genuinely care about you and are always quick to give a helping hand however they can. It’s definitely been one of the most rewarding things that I have done.

Any advice for potential applicants?

The most important advice that I can give is this:

BEE YOURSELF!

Pun aside, what Pengy, Mouse, and the rest of the application committee are most looking for, is that clear, strong, vibrant voice. Some of the weddings on Weddingbee have been similar, but what you remember most about those isn’t the fact that the two bees might have had the same colors and flowers, but that their story and voices are so unique. Each and every single one of us are so different and amazing, and that is what should really shine in your writing. Yes, the tone and other aesthetics are really important, but I believe that the most important thing is that you are true to yourself and that you really let that come through.

As far as your application, don’t get too incredibly stressed about it. Mine was a Word document. Was there some playing with fonts and colors? Yes, but nothing too crazy. If you are the type that it makes you feel better to do an elaborate presentation or PDF, go for it, but don’t let it be the reason to scare you away from the process. I was nervous about my Word document, but I really hoped that my story and voice would speak for themselves. I put all of my real effort and focus into my blog. I guess it worked!

Also, don’t let the fear of rejection be the reason you don’t apply. I was a lucky one that got accepted on the first try, and I honestly had prepared myself to be rejected and was already planning my next plan of attack for my next application. There are plenty of ladies who didn’t get it on their first time, and I’m really glad that they didn’t let it deter them, because I know that some of them are some of the most well loved bees on the blog. I know that if I hadn’t of applied because of my nervousness of rejection, I probably would always be wondering, “What if I did?” Don’t let that be you!

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Interested in blogging with us? Check out our application guidelines and submit an application! We’d love to have you as our newest bee! We’re currently accepting brides with wedding dates through July 2012!