Is Wedding Blogging for Members Only?

{Image from Archives of Ontario}

Recently, I came across an article from a wedding industry consultant that featured a photo of a group of influential wedding bloggers. In the same article, the issue of newbies flooding the pro’s territory was brought up. For instance, “brides who just adored chronicling every detail, decision and argument with their dearly beloved in their own wedding planning process are now blogging for the masses from the position of an expert and trying to monetize it.”

I’m shocked that this is even an issue, that there’s even an “us” vs. “them” divide. I’m sure a big number of the professional bloggers’ subscribers are the newbies brides who began their own planning blog. And those brides are probably referencing and sending links to those pro bloggers’ site (I certainly am), thereby helping their popularity . Isn’t that the whole idea of the “blogging community”? That we’re all supporting each other?

When I first started blogging, I thought long and hard about it. I knew it is a time consuming endeavor. But I felt and still feel real passion for it, the kind of non-stop thinking about the next post, can’t sleep until I write it, kind of imperative. And I also began because of the supposed camaraderie of the wedding blogging world. It seemed like everyone knew each other and were incredibly helpful and friendly based on reading comments & following blogrolls. Of course, I wanted to be a part of a supportive, creative, and entrepreneurial group of women who share my same passion.

But perhaps, I should have taken that first cold shoulder as a sign I am not one of the ladies who tea?

I hope that’s not the case, and that I’m being overly harsh. I hope I’m off the mark and wrong. If so, I’ll readily admit it because I don’t want to further incense the “us” vs. “them” sentiment. On the contrary, more than anything, I just want pro bloggers to know, we’re there because of you, because we aspire to be you, and that’s not such a bad thing.