LINK LOVE and My Top 5 Moments of 2014 (& some big news for 2015)

2014 was a pretty crazy year. We launched a lot of things and did a lot of things with Capitol Romance that I never really dreamed possible. If someone had told me in 2011 (when I started this blog) that I not only would still be blogging, but would have grown the blog into 3 separate businesses … well I probably would have laughed in their face. It’s really amazing what you can do when you put your mind to something AND surround yourself with awesome people that help get you there. So for today I wanted to first share some LINK LOVE and then countdown the Top 5 Moments of 2014 for Capitol Romance. Then I’ll round it out with some BIG NEWS that I’ve been waiting to share with everyone.

First. LINK LOVE:

[icon size=”small” image=”icon-heart”] The Celia Grace Trunk Show at Soliloquy Bridal Couture lasts just 2 more days! Don’t miss your chance to try on & hopefully purchase a beautiful, fairtrade wedding dress!

[icon size=”small” image=”icon-heart”] Richmond Tourism & Say I Do! are teaming up to giveaway a DREAM wedding to one lucky LGBT couple! Check it out!

[icon size=”small” image=”icon-heart”] You can now access The Blogcademy online!! Check it out.

[icon size=”small” image=”icon-heart”] Danielle of DPNAK Weddings rounds up some floral bouquet alternatives for bridesmaids. Love this.

[icon size=”small” image=”icon-heart”] Learn to make & sew your own striped pillows with this tutorial!

Second. My Top 5 Moments of 2015!!

#5. Launching the Capitol Romance Classifieds

In just 2 weeks, our classifieds section turns 1 year old! We get new posts each week and I hope our readers find it as valuable as I thought it would be for them! Keep buying, sharing, saving, and going local when it comes to your DC wedding!

#4. Launching Fuel DC

image: steven gosling photography

In early 2014 we decided to team up with Studio DBI & Fortique to launch a series of workshops that could help other creatives and small business owners better and grow their business. We hosted 2 events last year and hope to plan some more for this year! If you have any ideas for events – let us know!

#3. Attending the Blogcademy

In October I attended my first ever business workshop. I had (slightly) obsessively followed The Blogcademy for a long time and never really dreamed that I would be able to actually go. But then the headmistresses offered a class in my very own city and I was the very first person to sign up! (no joke, Kat confirmed this). I learned SO MUCH that weekend and can’t wait to put what I learned to good use for 2015.

#2. #PopUpRomance Collaboration for 2014 Pride Weekend

During the Capital Pride parade & weekend this past year, I teamed up with my favs, Pop Wed Co & the DC MEET Market to create the first ever #PopUpRomance celebration. 1-part giveaway, 1-part vow renewal, and ALL parts awesome, this day was one I will NEVER forget. We got to meet SO MANY awesome couples that day that shared messages of LOVE with us and then we got to help Rose & Nicole renew their vows. The amazing day ended with getting to march in the Pride Parade. Seriously. Best day ever.

#1. Launching the Capitol Romance DIY Wedding Workshops

Capitol Romance DIY Workshops from Kian McKellar on Vimeo.

Sometimes I can’t believe these still happened. The DIY wedding workshops were a tiny idea I had that I never thought would come to fruition. I didn’t think I had the balls to do it and really didn’t know how to get started. But then a conversation at one of my meetups quickly turned into signing a contract to host 5 DIY wedding workshops in 2014 and boom – things just ballooned from there. Amazing local artists/vendors agreed to join me on my crazy new journey and host the workshops, and amazing local companies agreed to provide sponsored items for each of the events. I was (and continue to be) eternally grateful for all the amazing vendors that helped make the workshops a reality.

We’re planning on hosting another slate of DIY Wedding Workshops for 2015 – so be on the lookout for more information soon! And if you have an idea for a workshop, would like to host a workshop, or want to be involved SOME way – please email me!!

YOWZA. 2014 WAS INSANE.

Recapping it like that makes me slightly overwhelmed for how I will top it in 2015. But I got some ideas and some collaborations already in the works and really who cares if I don’t top 2014? It’s all about trying new things and pushing myself to make Capitol Romance the best it can be for me and YOU. So let’s get cracking on 2015. With this year comes some BIG business and personal changes for me because … well … the Capitol Romance family is growing in 2 ways. First, with a baby (!), as Andy & I are super excited to announce that we are expecting our first in May of this year.

And so obviously things will be a bit different for me this year (in ways I can’t even imagine or plan for) and so I have decided to officially hire someone to my Capitol Romance Wedding Coordination business to help me with my Spring/Summer 2015 weddings and officially take on her own clients under the Capitol Romance umbrella. Meet Alesha – our new wedding coordinator associate!!

She is so awesome and I cannot wait to work with her this year, and share her with my awesome clients too! Lots more coming on this and if you are looking for a wedding coordinator for your wedding, be sure to check out our new structure/plans!

So yeah. 2015 is going to be crazy.

And I just can’t wait for all of it. It will certainly be the craziest year of my life to date, but I can’t wait to take it on and of course, share it all with you. Thanks for reading this far (if you made it this far) and stay tuned for a lot more exciting things coming out from me these next few months! As always, I’ll continue to try my hardest to give YOU my readers the best content and resources possible to help you plan your DC area wedding AND have a happy, loving life together.

xo, Bree