After a long internal battle, fraught with pros, cons, ups, downs, false starts, and long bouts of procrastination, The Broke-Ass Bride blog has been laid to rest after 11 years of service.
Hi friends, it's Dana. Closing up shop here has been an incredibly tough and emotional decision for me, one which I've been hemming and hawing over for years.
The moment of clarity I needed came from an unexpected place. I recently stumbled upon an unflattering critique of my book that stung because it rang true. It wasn't the first negative review I've gotten (nor will it be the last), but I always try to read them with an open mind this one really got me thinking. The author was reviewing my book with a 2019 mentality, not realizing that it was written with a 2012 perspective. In the 7 years since I wrote it, so much has changed: trends, tastes, the wedding industry, politics, society, my own awareness and maturity, my voice and beliefs, and more. Upon further reflection, I realized that the same outdatedness extends to this blog too. Much of the content in the archives here is, at best, no longer up to date, and at worst, irrelevant and unrepresentative of my current values. Those realizations made the decision easy. It was time to say goodbye.
I didn't start this blog with the intention for it become a business, or a book, or a TV special — and yet it did. I was young and engaged and needed a creative outlet; a place to track my inspiration and journey as I moved through such a big milestone in life. Watching the blog unfold and blossom in such unexpected ways was exciting, thrilling, shocking, terrifying, frustrating, and a million other nuanced emotions that changed from day-to-day. I went from fiancée to wife, but also from amateur writer to professional, from social media newbie to expert consultant, and from a private person to a public persona who shared an incredible amount of myself with those who came to my site.
I'm incredibly proud of the things I accomplished through and as a result of this blog, and finally at peace with putting it to rest. Knowing I inspired and touched so many people through my writing and the brand is incredibly rewarding and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity and experience.
I was lucky to have incredible support along the way, for which I am deeply grateful. To my partner Christen, who was the heart and soul of this blog for many years while I was away, and all the people who helped hold The Broke-Ass Bride blog up over the years — Thank you. To the people in the wedding industry who welcomed me, supported me, and gave me opportunities to grow, thank you. To the companies who sponsored The Broke-Ass Bride, thank you. To my incredible, loyal, generous readers, thank you for your love and support. To everyone who believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself, thank you, thank you, thank you all so much.
If you'd like to follow me on my next journey, please join my Substack, where I will continue to share my personal writing.
I've also started offering copywriting and creative consulting services, which keeps me on my toes.
You can also follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay in touch on socials.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything. Broke-Ass Bride, signing off.
All my love,
Dana
Extra special thanks to: Christen, Emily, Liz, Mellzah, Lydia, Britt, Dana, Mallory, Caitlin, Michael, Astrid, Andrew, Bridget, Aliza, Stacie and Mindy. I have more gratitude for you than words can say.
