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It seems like this wedding blogger has been here there and everywhere over the past couple of months, whilst still somehow finding the time to share gorgeousness like this, this and this here on the wedding blog.  I’m pleased to report that all this hard work seems to be paying off, as visits to Brides Up North have never been higher than in this first quarter of 2012.  So I guess I’m doing something right!

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You can’t ride the rollercoaster of starting and developing your own brand and business without the odd pit stop though, or you might go crazy (or more crazy)!  So, weary of mind, body and spirit, I thought it was high time for two things.  Firstly, a little break to have some “real life” fun, hell, just to have a real life!  And secondly, a long over due personal post to recap just some of of what I’ve been up to behind the scenes.

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I always find writing my more personal posts slightly more daunting than say, a Real Wedding or fashion feature, but you guys seem to like them and it’s a nice way of reflecting on all my hard work – and proving that bloggers don’t just spend their days on an extended holiday or lazing on the sofa.  Not this one anyway!

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So here goes.  An insight into the crazy World here at Brides Up North HQ.  Excuse the limited and rather rubbish selection of iPhone pictures, I’m no professional!

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Let me take you back.  Way back, to a snowy week at the start of February.  We thought that we were home and dry, Winter was over, and then all of a sudden – flurries of the white stuff.  In my previous life as a solicitor, an unexpected snowfall and the very possibility of a snow day would have been met with unprecedented glee – but the week before my very first Brides Up North Wedding Exclusive (and in a fairly remote castle location too?) – No thank you very much. 

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Lets just say that there was a lot of weather forecast watching, prayers being fired upwards left right and centre and a few expletives that week.  But, just as I had accepted that what would be would be, the snow suddenly disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, and we were in the clear!

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All ready to go!

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The first ever Brides Up North events team!

AKA The hubby and my dad – cheap labour, but a bit too much back chat  

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The inaugural Brides Up North Wedding Exclusive at Allerton Castle ended up being a roaring success – way beyond my hopes.  Beautifully decorated by our 40 fantastic exhibitors, this stunning venue really came to life and the day saw a record attendance.  I couldn’t have asked for more, and my thanks must go out to each and every exhibitor, visiting bride and the Dine and Allerton teams for making the day so excellent.

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Never one to take much of a breather, there was no lie in for me the next day and it was onwards and upwards, as the next Brides Up North Wedding Exclusive – this time at The Mansion in Leeds – followed a very short two weeks afterwards.  One record attendance event in a fortnight would have done it for me, but the turn out at The Mansion exceeded all expectations and it was another truly fabulous day.  Yorkshire, you rock.

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And then, the hat trick!  Brides Up North rounded off a very busy three week period with the Brides Up North Super Showcase Wedding Exhibition, this time in the North East, at Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham.  This one was a biggy to say the least – in fact it was the largest free bridal event in the area this Spring – with over 100 exhibitors, two professional fashion shows and nearly 1000 visitors.  Woah mama!  That’s a lot for one gal to coordinate!  Luckily I had a team of fabulous helpers and each and every exhibitor really worked hard to make it a knock your socks off show.  To say that it was a good day is a complete understatement – and this first Super Showcase has to be the highlight of my Brides Up North career thus far.  Thank you to everyone who supported this huge event.  I can’t wait till the next one… and here’s a clue – you might want to save Sunday 9th September in your diaries now!

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A little Snaparazzi action with the boys from AMV

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After a few glasses of bubbly and a twelve hour sleep, it was time to boogie all my cares away.  In the week following the Super Showcase I moved back into my old bedroom at my parents’ house for a few days and awaited the eagerly anticipated AMV Live Music and Brides Up North Battle of The Wedding Bands at As You Like It Jesmond.  The first event of it’s kind and oh what a night it was!  The whole of the downstairs venue was packed to the rafters with lovely couples looking to book their wedding band whilst six amazing acts performed some classic party hits and more contemporary tunes.  AMV Live Music were flooded with bookings and I just drank some vino, bopped about chatting to brides and grooms and had the time of my life.  It was so much fun to let off some much needed steam but also to take the time to get excited with my readers about their forthcoming weddings.  When can we do it all over again?

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It’s been back to the desk since then, catching up on admin – all the boring bits about running your own business – plus planning the next two Brides Up North Wedding Exclusives in Yorkshire in just under a month’s time (have you noticed the new banner at the top of the blog?  You can register for your VIP Goody bags now! GO GO GO!), plotting some really rather fabulous blog content including one SERIOUSLY kick ass competition – coming up very soon – and finalising details for the next set of Brides Up North Tweet Up wedding industry networking events.

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I’ve also found the time to attend The British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate, including the twinkling Bridal Buyer Awards where I was thrilled to be part of a panel of “web experts” (who, moi?) judging the Best Retailer Website Award, delivered a webinar and three seminars to the Forward Ladies and The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners on blogging for business and even been nominated for a little award of my own – for Best Wedding Directory at The Bridal Magazine Awards in just under a month.

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Told you that I’d been busy. 

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So one of the most nerve wracking, exciting, thrilling and dynamic periods of my life was wrapped up beautifully this weekend with a break in London with my hubby, and then joining my family and friends to watch my great friend (and honorary little bro) Nick wipe the floor at the Top Model UK competition – winning both the top prize and the public vote.  Nick’s a Brides Up North model, so I’ve been campaigning hard for votes here on the wedding blog and it seems that your votes really did count!  Thanks to each and every person who voted for all of your support.  I can’t wait to see where his career might go, and we discovered him ladies!

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There’s been a fair bit of bubbly consumed this weekend, but I’m starting the week fresh and bursting with new ideas.  I’m never one to rest on my laurels for long, so what’s next for Brides Up North?  Well, just you wait and see…

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A couple of bottles of bubbles later…next year’s winner?  Working it Zoolander Style on the Red Carpet!

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Brides Up North/ Snaparazzi

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