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Hello Brides Up North! I hope that you lovelies are having an excellent Saturday afternoon! Its been work, work, work for this wedding blogger as I prepare for the first of the Brides Up North Wedding Exclusive exhibitions at Allerton Castle, Sunday 12th February 2012.
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It’s a SELL OUT with nearly 40 exhibitors in attendance, so if you are a Yorkshire bride looking for a beautiful venue or just some inspiration from the crème de la crème of the region’s wedding industry, make sure to pre-register for your VIP Bride To Be Goody Bag by clicking here.
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Save for my events, meetings and Tweet Ups, the life of a wedding blogger and event organiser is actually a pretty secular one, albeit extremely busy. Waking up to over 150 emails a day (pretty much minimum) from brides to be, newlyweds, wedding industry contacts and other interested parties as well as arranging fabulous shows for regional brides to be, networking events for the fabulous Northern talent that we have up here, styling bridal shoots, freelance writing … oh and JUST A TEENSY BIT of wedding blogging to do (!)… means that I have a solid marriage to my computer and a raging love affair with my iPad.
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I have been known to be tied to my screen from 8am until 3am recently, and sometimes it’s just nice to switch it off… and do something glitzy and glamorous instead. In a dress! With properly styled hair! And make up! Whoot!
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So when two really rather fabulous events occurred in one week, I was sold. Two return tickets to the smoke sil vous plait!
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Enter The Wedding Ideas Magazine Awards 2012 and The Wedding Industry Awards 2012!
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Two fabulous events in one fabulous week, c’est moi dahlings! In floor length eggplant with gold accents and multi-coloured vintage Cacharel (notice the tactical switch from white wine to Red Bull!!)
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Both required the special journey, both supported some fabulously talented members of the Northern wedding industry and both were a huge amount of fun.
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With some very talented wedding industry friends at The Wedding Ideas Awards: Cute Maps, Stems Design, The Whimsical Cake Company, The Social Butterfly and me!
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First up, The Wedding Ideas Magazine Awards, hosted by a fab little magazine bursting with the best wedding ideas (it’s all in the name!). This title has been so supportive to my journey as a professional wedding blogger and freelance writer and I was so happy to go along to support them on their big night, clap for the winners and even take on a few Sambucas! All in the name of duty, mind! Good food, good music, good wine, good company and a celebration of fantastic talent in our industry.
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The winners:
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Best Wedding Venue – sponsored by hitched.co.uk
Winner – Clearwell Castle
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Best Destination Choice – sponsored by Shoot it Yourself
Winner – Sandals
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Best Wedding Videographer – sponsored by The Brewery
Winner – Ido Wedding Films
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Best Wedding Photographer – sponsored by For Your Eyes Only
Winner – Emma Case
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Best Gift List – sponsored by Thomson
Winner – Notonthehighstreet.com
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Best Special Touches – sponsored by Couples Resorts
Winner – Giddy Kipper
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Best Wedding Cake – sponsored by Madeline Isaac-James
Winner – The English Cheesecake Company
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Best Stationery – sponsored by Wedding Week at Bluewater
Winner – Lucy Ledger
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Best Shoes – sponsored by Elegant Steps
Winner – Rachel Simpson Shoes
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Best Accessories – sponsored by Benjamin Roberts
Winner – Chez Bec
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Best Bridal Retailer – sponsored by The National Wedding Show
Winner – Ellie Sanderson
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Best Mother of the Bride Collection – sponsored by Essentially You
Winner – Ian Stuart
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Best Groomswear – sponsored by 88Connect
Winner – Hugh Harris
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Best Bridesmaids Collection
Winner – Dessy
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Best Plus Size Collection – sponsored by Bridal Buyer Magazine
Winner – Sonsie
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Best Dress Collection – sponsored by Country House Weddings
Winner – Alfred Angelo
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… What? Another party? Oh go on then…
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A mere five days later, at a jam packed Cafe De Paris, it was time for The Wedding Industry Awards. I was honoured to be asked to be a regional judge for this inaugural event, so awaited the final results with eager anticipation. After cheering each winner, it was time to catch up with friends old and new… and, thanks to the venue’s proximity to Chinatown, duck out at last orders for a sneaky slap up Chinese to send me back to the laptop with a smile on my face!
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The winners, if you please:
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Best Wedding Accessory Designer – Jo Barnes Vintage
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Best Wedding Cake Designer – Rosalind Miller Cakes
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Best Wedding Caterer (independent) – Mogans Catering
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Best Wedding Co-ordinator (venue) – Michele Jetzer of Riverstation
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Best Wedding Dress Designer – No 9 Bridal Couture
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Best Wedding Dress Retailer – Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique
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Best Wedding Entertainment (Bands, DJs etc) – Hip Operation
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Best Wedding Florist – Sonning Flowers Ltd
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Best Wedding Hair Stylist – James White Hair
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Best Wedding Make-Up Artist – Kaz Fernando Make Up
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Best Wedding Marquee Provider – World Inspired Tents
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Best Wedding Menswear Supplier – Sensational Formal Hire
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Best Wedding Photographer – Marianne Taylor Photography
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Best Wedding Planner (independent) – Planned for Perfection
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Best Wedding Special Touch – Artfull Splodgers
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Best Wedding Transport Supplier – Dennisson Classic Cars
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Best Wedding Venue – Gaynes Park
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Best Wedding Videographer – Philip White
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Best Newcomer – Maids to Measure
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Noticeboard: Speaking of glitz… Brides Up North Featured Supplier Damselle Tiaras would like me to let you know that they will be exhibiting at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate – Next Saturday from 11-4pm with canapés, sparkling wine, local exhibitors and luxury gift bags. PLUS every bride to be who makes a purchase from Damselle Tiaras until 31st March 2012 will be entered in to the competition to win their money back! Sounds like a plan to me…
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Brides Up North
This is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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