I can’t believe I’ve written 500 blog posts about weddings.
Honestly, if you had told me back in 2020, when I first got the idea to start a wedding blog, that at some point I would have 500 blog posts about weddings, I don’t think I would have believed you.
You see, in late 2019 I started dreaming about becoming a wedding planner. However, it wasn’t feasible for me to leave my corporate job as I had a young baby. Plus, once the pandemic started it all seemed fruitless to try and start a wedding planning business.
So, I decided that since I could not “do” the job I wanted, I would write about it. Essentially, to teach others how to plan their weddings. And, in the late summer of 2020, the first blog post was published.
We’ve come a long way since then. I have an Instagram page. A Pinterest account. My posts are longer, more thoughtful, and have a formula to them. I’ve created a sustainable process for blog posts that works for me and my busy lifestyle. This blog remains a side hustle. The little hobby that could. It is a part of my life, though, and I do cherish it.
500 Blog Posts About Weddings – My Journey To Get Here
This post is all about my journey to publishing 500 blog posts about weddings. What I love, my biggest successes, my biggest challenges, and the future of this website. I’m getting personal here, and I hope you take away one main message. Which is, if you are considering putting yourself out there and starting something new, do it. Even if you have another job. A relationship. Kids. Doubts. Just do it. You never know where it will take you.
Okay, let’s get into it!
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BLOGGING
For years, I sat on the sidelines reading other people’s blogs. I even personally knew a successful blogger, and I was always intrigued with her avenue to put thoughts and opinions out there. There was an appeal to be able to write and send it out into the world. Writing is therapeutic for me and it feels good, even if I’m not writing about myself, per say.
Plus, I’m a process-oriented person. And, let me tell you. Blogging is a process. If someone starts blogging and gives up, I would bet that it was due to a poor process that did not work for them or was nonexistent. As a blogger, I get to design and maintain my process. This includes drafting, writing, proofreading, publishing, and creating all the extra posts and pins that go along with each blog entry. I have my method, and it works for me.
Lastly, blogging is educational and creative. I learn new things all the time. Sometimes because I’m interested in them. Sometimes because I have to learn in order to keep this blog going. I get to be creative and have freedom, too. My blog is mine. How I write, how I create pins and Instagram posts, and how I engaged with readers is up to me. It all feels really good.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WEDDINGS
Okay, so why do I write about weddings? How could I possibly have enough interest in the subject to write 500 blog posts about weddings?
Well, weddings are awesome. There are so many aspects to unpack.
Weddings are about relationships, money, food, proper planning, and project management. All of which are subjects I love to explore. Plus, everyone has been to a wedding, and most people will either host a wedding or be in a wedding at some point in their lives. It’s a subject that almost everyone can relate to, and almost everyone has questions about.
The thing is, sharing knowledge about weddings makes me feel good. I truly love that my blog has helped make being engaged that much easier for some people. That’s the whole goal.
BIGGEST BLOG SUCCESSES
There have been many things that have gone right with the blog over the last five and a half years.
For starters, I had support from my family and friends, especially in the early days. Some of them subscribed to the blog. More followed me on Instagram. My husband gave me the space to write and spend time on this hobby. I felt supported.
Over the years, I’ve been able to grow my email list to a respectable number, though I rarely email subscribers. Most sign up because they wanted my wedding vow ebook, “I Do.” From time to time, I’ll send something out, but admittedly, I don’t spend a lot of time on email engagement.
Back to successes, over the years my blog has grown in readership, and on social media. Readership has been tricky with some update in how blogs are found, but thousands of people do find the blog each month, which feels good. I’ve had some successful reels on Instagram, bringing in followers. Some of whom I’ve been able to collaborate with. Love that.
Lastly, my blog has brought in a little income. Not enough to be life changing, but enough to pay for itself. Yes, I have some annoying ads, but that helps me keep this going. And, I’ve been hired for some freelance work. Both of which I celebrate.
BIGGEST BLOGGING CHALLENGES
There are definitely some challenges I’ve faced along the way when it comes to this blog.
For starters, blogging takes time. I have a full time corporate job and a small child. When I started blogging, my son was only one year old. While he’s gotten more independent over the years, it hasn’t always been easy to find the time to write and promote my blog posts. I’m busy during the day, and busy during the evenings and weekends. However, I’ve been able to find pockets of time to make this work. My posts aren’t always perfect, but they always get published as planned.
Another big challenge has been traffic fluctuations. A few years ago, Google traffic tanked when they started their “helpful” searches. This meant that online forums and AI synopsis became the top search results, rather than blogs. My posts went from the first or second search spot to way down on the list. As a result, I don’t get a lot of traffic from Google. Instead, Pinterest is my main source of traffic, and I am thankful. I love Pinterest!
Other challenges have been keeping up enough space on my site with all the images I use, and dealing with hosting outages or updates that impact the availability of the site, and tech issues I’m just not that versed on. I have a wonderful resource with Laugh, Eat, Learn, so sometimes I have to outsource help just to keep things going.
Additionally, I don’t know the future of blogging. AI is a big thing, and it’s hard to figure out the right path of using it while still staying true to my own voice and opinions. The world is changing, and what worked one year doesn’t always the next. So, I try to be nimble and change my methods as needed.
BLOGGING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
They say if you want a blog, you should have a social media presence. I think I do . . . and I don’t.
This blog only has two social media profiles. One on Instagram, and one on Pinterest. Instagram is only for fun. I post often, and try out various trends with reels, posts, and stories. Instagram is solely to engage and have fun with people who are in the wedding industry or planning a wedding. I’ve made some contacts and collaborated with a few people I’ve met on Instagram, which is cool.
Pinterest, as mentioned above, is amazing. I don’t engage with a lot of people on it, but I post pins for every blog post, and receive a lot of traffic from Pinterest. Pins can have a long shelf life, and some pins I shared years ago are still quite popular.
Other social media avenues don’t really interest me. Facebook could be fun, but it can also be dramatic. And the rest just take up too much time. I’d rather stick with what I enjoy, and what has been working for this blog.
MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS
Alright, on to some statistics!
Let’s rank my most popular blog posts, in the last three years (my stats are a little wonky before that point):
- Entertaining Table Games For Your Wedding Guests
- Something Borrowed, Something Blue Ideas
- 7 Awesome Wedding Trends You Haven’t Heard Of
- 13 Ways To Entertain Wedding Guests (Other Than Dancing)
- 12 Things Your Day of Coordinator Should Do
- 8 Alternative Bridal Shower Ideas!
- 10 Foods You Should Never Serve At A Wedding
- Hotel Bags, Bathroom Baskets, & Thoughtful Items For Wedding Guests
- 12 Unity Ceremony Ideas & Customs
- 15 Common Wedding Guest Pet Peeves
As you can see, the vast majority of these popular posts have to do with guest experience. Things like entertaining guests, feeding them, and making them feel special are hot search topics. Additionally, people search for ways to make their weddings unique to them, while honoring traditions from the past.
WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BLOG GO FROM HERE
Well, what’s the future after writing 500 blog posts about weddings?
For starters, I’m going to continue to do it. However, gone are the days where I feel pressure to publish twice a week, no matter what. If there is a holiday, a trip, or a reason to not publish, I take the break. I also take two weeks off over the holidays. The blog always comes back, though.
In the future, I’d like to do more with my email list. I just need to find what excites me and what the subscribers will actually want to hear about. If you have any ideas out there, please share them with me. I’m open to suggestions.
Beyond that, I’m just going to keep sharing my knowledge and growing this blog as best I can despite the challenges the internet gives it. Maybe one day it will turn into an actual business, or a virtual class, or something more than just a side hustle. We will see!
500 BLOG POSTS ABOUT WEDDINGS
Friends, I’m proud that I’ve written 500 blog posts about weddings. It’s a big number, and it’s something to feel good about. My advice to those of you who may want to start a blog, or go on a new venture, is to just do it. Go for it before you feel ready. Don’t wait for all the answers before you start. And don’t worry about what others will think. If it’s not for them, it’s not for them. You can learn and grow as you go, and it will feel good to go on a new path, no matter what that looks like.
More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice
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Wedding Compromises: Tips To Avoid Stress, Fights, and Overwhelm
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