They say the only time you should look back is to see how far you’ve come. As 2017 draws to a close I thought I’d look back at what’s become my best year yet, and see what your favourite posts were in 2017. This year has been a huge year of growth for me personally, and for Blossom Bride. I finished up almost eighteen months of counselling, just before my 31st birthday in April. I’ve grown and changed more in the last two years than I have in the last ten. I’m doing much better at managing my anxiety, panic attacks and depression. S.A.D. still kicks my butt in the winter months. But my self-awareness and self-care is much better and I’m so much happier in myself.
Consume Less | Create More
My motto, and lifestyle approach for 2017, was to consume less and create more. I was spending so much time consuming everyone else’s content, I wasn’t creating any of my own. This resulted in big changes for Blossom Bride. I’ve posted more frequently, strategised and streamlined my content and updated my logo and site. I invested €1,000 in new photography and lighting equipment. Got picked up by a wedding and lifestyle agency in New York, which I’m now an editorial partner with. And I’ve been able to bring you the most beautiful real weddings, engagements and styled shoots. All of this has meant I’ve grown my site. I now get three times the amount of views per month as I did previously. I’m so proud of this huge achievement.
This year I’ve attended more events, appeared in newspapers, got up on stage, wrote for online magazine publications such as Confetti, House & Home and the Wedding Journal. I even hosted eight Facebook Live slots at The Wedding Journal Show in September. That was probably the highlight of my year, I had so much fun doing it. I also got onto a few PR lists, and built great relationships with some of my favourite beauty brands and suppliers. One of my goals for 2017. Since showing my face and getting out there, I realised people know, follow and have heard of Blossom Bride. They just didn’t know I was the person behind it. That’s starting to change, with people recognising me when I’m out shopping, or chatting in Facebook groups or on Instagram.
Favourite Posts in 2017
Let’s do this Top of the Pops style and count down backwards. At number ten is the Boho-Chic Pre-Wedding Party in Mykonos. I worked for ages on this post, with both the photographer and the gorgeous bride, Sandrella.
Number nine was a right palava let me tell you. The maddest twenty four hours I’ve had in blogging. But we got there in the end, my Black Friday Deals for Curly Girls. Surprisingly, most of the products in this post are still on some kind of discounted offer so it’s worth checking out again.
Coming in at number eight is the Tropical Boho Wedding in Maui. My sister, who still lives in California where I was born, is always trying to talk me into getting married in Hawaii. This boho beach wedding was the stuff of tropical dreams.
Number seven was a tips and advice post where I shared 6 Reasons Why you should book a Wedding Videographer. This one’s never gonna get old, the answer – and reasons – are always going to be the same. Couples who get one say it was their best spent money, couples who don’t say it’s their biggest regret.
Do you know what the average wedding guest drop out rate is? I didn’t either, so I did a tonne of research and put together this popular post. Did you also know that those pesky guests who don’t turn up can end up costing you money and extra charges by your venue?
Half way through, you still with me? My review of the iconic, cult-favourite foundation is always getting views. It’s still my number one favourite foundation and the top choice for makeup artists around the world, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I’m a shade 3.5 in the winter, and can go up to shade 9 in the summer with a natural tan. I’ve got my Sicilian genes to thank for that.
2017 has also been a year for my hair. My curly hair. I started the Curly Girl Method back in May, and haven’t put a straightener, curling wand or tong near it since! Understanding Curly Girl Lingo comes in at number four. Although I do think it should be called Understanding Curly Girl Techniques instead. If you’re confused about all the talk of plopping and pineapples this post is for you.
Top three now. This was the first real wedding I posted on Blossom Bride and it still gets consistent views. Kayla and Clemens’ gorgeous Bohemian Woodland Wedding in Quebec. I came across a picture of Kayla and her bride squad on Instagram. I contacted her to ask if I could see more pictures from her wedding and publish them on my blog. I’m so glad I did, and she agreed, because you guys love her wedding as much as I do!
Coming in second place, this post crashed my site! I can’t tell you the panic I went through for a few hours. I can only describe it as hurtling down a hill and the car you’re driving has lost it’s breaks, and steering! I was worried at how a {kind of} negative post would go down. I tried to put a positive, helpful spin on things and you seemed to love it. Check it out here, 12 Things Wedding Guests Hate.
Your favourite post in 2017 was What is the Curly Girl Method? I’m a member of quite a few curly girl Facebook groups and after being told {quite a few times} that I was really good at explaining things, especially the basics. I decided to dedicate an entire section of Blossom Bride to this method which has changed my life. Literally! It’s so encouraging to see this post do so well ever since I published it. So if you’ve got curly hair, or even just a wave or a kink, check this post out and your hair will love you for it.
Some of my favourite posts which you may have missed are:
I am known as the budget and bargain queen! But it’s always the things that are unexpected which push you over budget right? So this post on the 15 Unexpected Pre-Wedding Costs should have you covered.
During the summer I received my first ever PR package. And what a brand to start with, Sunday Riley. I’ve since bought a second pot of this fab moisturiser, C.E.O. Protect & Repair. It’s a must-have moisturiser for brides. I really enjoyed photographing the product with my new camera, lighting and editing app.
And finally, during the summer, I attended my first ever press event. Hosted by Folkster Bridal. They showcased their 2018 collections in the gorgeous Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, complete with amazing food and goodie bags. I was sat sandwiched between Laura Cunningham from Confetti and Hippenings and Chupi – I was in heaven with lady bosses and lovely people I look up to. I had the pleasure of interviewing Roisin from Folkster Bridal and Don O’Neill, Irish designer of Theia. Here’s the 2018 Theia Bridal Collection. His gowns gave every one of the models the most incredible bum and the photography by Eoin Hennessy is every boho bride’s dream!
Given the time of year, you might also like to read this post if you just got engaged and wonder what to do next.
And this post on my top tips for attending wedding fairs and how you can save thousands on your wedding!
Thank you for reading, following and showing me and my little corner of the wedding world so much love this year. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and all the very best health and happiness for 2018. Stay tuned for lots more to come in the New Year. And if you’re not subscribed already, you can do so here.
Gabriella xoxo
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