Ruby's Roundup - 2011

Wow - what a year it has been for Ruby Weddings, when I started to look back over my blog posts for the year I surprised myself at all of the things I have achieved.  So here is my little review and highlights of 2011 and wishes for the coming year:

January - I attended the Wedding Ideas Awards ceremony in London, it was a fabulous event and great opportunity to network with fellow wedding people.  Definitely a goal for the future to be nominated and to win an award, especially if they resurrect the Best Wedding Planner category!

February - I began working part time at Hawkwell House Hotel as their Wedding Co-ordinator.  This was a great move from working full time in my previous job (that I hated), it gave me more time to focus on building Ruby's business and reputation, plus I've been lucky enough to work with so many fabulous brides throughout the year.

March - My birthday!!!!  Always a highlight for me and I milked it as much as possible with visits to friends, lots of cake and a special VIP visit to the Mill & Old Swan!

April -  I was involved in a naked photo shoot for the Social Sirens calendar - still available to buy here, and who could forget the epic Rock n Roll Bride party where I wore a fabulous Esemee chocolate box fascinator!

May - The world went crazy for the Royal wedding and I was interviewed on Heart FM about it.

June - Gay marriage was legalised in NY - I helped celebrate Ellie Sanderson's Oxford boutique's 1st birthday and even had some handbag therapy!

July - I went on a fabulous trip to Ascot with my girlfriends and was published in Wedding Ideas magazine giving tips on winter weddings.

August - My boyfriend and I had a wonderful staycation with lots of RnR, I modelled for the epic AntiBride photo shoot and the last ever Cosmo Bride was published :(  I was also reunited with my long lost cousins and got to know their new families.

from Tino&Pip

September - I was invited to the fabulous Choccywoccydoodah Party on the Pier in Brighton and got involved with the Curiosity Project.

October - The AntiBride photo shoot was featured in the Choccywoccydoodah documentary on the Good Food channel.

November - I had a Sex and the City Afternoon Par-Tea with my girlfriend in London.  The AntiBride photos were launched on Boho Events blog and had a great reaction and some lovely comments from everyone.

December - I had a tinseltastic night out in Reading and was reunited with my best friend from years ago - a few tears were shed over cocktails!  Loved ones have had brushes with cancer this month, my fingers and toes are crossed for them all.  Even more people close to me have announced that they are pregnant (is there something in the water!?!), August is going to be a very busy month next year!!!!!!  And I had what I can honestly say was the best Christmas ever - I was surrounded by my boyfriend, family and friends who I love dearly.

On a personal level 2011 has been an epic year for finding lost family and friendships, I am so pleased to have these people back in my life - I really do feel blessed.  My wonderful boyfriend has been so supportive and encouraged me to do things outside of my comfort zone, without him none of this would be possible.  I've met some truly amazing and talented people in the wedding industry, I learn from you all everyday, you keep me sane through the wonders of social media and I look forward to working with you all soon.  All in all it has been a fabulous year, my hair has grown longer, I feel a little wiser and I can not wait to see what 2012 has in store for Ruby, I have many great things planned and many, many more gorgeous brides to work with. 

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years Eve and I'll see you on the other side!

Lots of Love, glitter and cocktails