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I’m thrilled to be announcing the list of finalists in the inaugural North Of England Wedding Awards this morning, an awards process devised and organised by my friends at The Wedding Guide, which I have been honoured to support as headline sponsor.
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I am immensely protective of the Brides Up North brand and with whom it is affiliated, but I really feel that a quality awards process which celebrates customer service and promotes Northern talent, voted for by real brides in the regions and judged by impartial industry peers is a cause worth backing. The awards were completely free to enter and the judging process was based on feedback from customers alone. I’d like to see the awards in Scotland and the North West too, but the Wedding Guide have chosen to test the process by starting local. I think they’ll report a success: the list of finalists not only reflects established industry talent, but also shines a light on emerging stars. Well done to absolutely every business, large and small, on that list.
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I’ve had no part in judging the awards (you can see the list of judges for each region and a brief bio by clicking here), but I do get to glam up in my razzle dazzle as the official host of the gala dinners in both the North East and Yorkshire. I can’t wait to see you all there (finalists and industry friends alike) and as I don’t get to find out who wins until I open those envelopes, I’m looking forward to it as much as you are!
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Yorkshire: Friday 7th September – Winners announced at the Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony at York Racecourse.
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North East: Saturday 15th September 2012 – Winners announced at the Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony at Beamish Hall Hotel.
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For tickets to the gala dinners and ceremonies, click here: North Of England Wedding Awards Ticket Request.
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I’ve been attending fittings behind the scenes now for a fabulous frock befitting of such an occasion, and I can’t wait to reveal the final design on the night! Here’s a sneaky peek… Brides Up North pink anyone?
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But enough about my wardrobe, let’s hear about those finalists (and its lovely to see lots of Brides Up North Featured Suppliers in there too)!
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The Wedding Guide say: Choosing finalists has not been an easy process this year! Brides were asked to review the businesses on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the highest score) in four areas:
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Service Excellence
Excellent Product Quality
Value for Money
Outstanding Commitment
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We took an average of the total points scored divided by the number of votes the company had received to determine which companies should be shortlisted as finalists. This is why there are different numbers of finalists for the different categories as there was so little to distinguish between them!
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The Judges have all received copies of the average points score for each company, along with all the comments made by brides when they were asked “Why does this company deserve to win?”
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The Judges will make their final decisions based on a combination of average points score and a review of the brides’ comments. They will also be looking at company websites and conducting mystery shops/enquiries to determine how well the companies live up to their mission statements.
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Yorkshire |
North East England |
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Bridal Gown Retailer |
Thimbelina |
Bridal Gown Retailer |
Simplicity Weddings |
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The Eternity Showroom |
Mia Sposa |
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Curvy Bridal |
Brides and Belles Northallerton |
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The Harrogate Wedding Lounge |
Grace – The Weddings Company |
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Elegance Bridal Studio |
Rosina Brown |
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Confetti and Lace |
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Precious Bridal |
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Plush Bridal |
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Elite Bridalwear |
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Brides of Harrogate |
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Forevermore |
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Bridal Party and Accessories |
Brides of Harrogate |
Bridal Party and Accessories |
Brides and Belles Northallerton |
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Confetti and Lace |
Kate Fearnley Boutique |
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Forevermore |
Rosina Brown |
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The Jules Touch |
Energise Weddings |
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Menswear |
Yorkshire Menswear |
Simply Suits |
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Yorkshire Menswear Harrogate |
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Sensational Formal Hire |
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RoodDuke |
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Cakes, Sweet Treats and Catering |
Couture Cake Design |
Cakes, Sweet Treats and Catering |
Kelly Ann’s |
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Fantasweets Cupcakes |
CWC Malings Ltd |
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Cakes for All Occasions |
Figs Catering Co. |
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CWC Malings Ltd |
MK Catering NE Ltd |
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Figs Catering Co. |
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Box Tree Events |
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Cars and Carriages |
The Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company Ltd |
Cars and Carriages |
Webb’s Special Occasion Cars |
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Reece Wedding Cars |
Abbey Wedding Wheels |
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Halifax Prestige Wedding Cars |
Rose – Wedding (Cars) Ltd |
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Health and Beauty |
Helen Claire |
Health and Beauty |
Lydia Jane |
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Gel Bridal Studio |
Wear Fit |
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Helen Guy |
Make-up by Jo |
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Victoria Farr |
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Siginature Beauty |
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Music and Entertainment |
Mark Waddington – Magician |
Music and Entertainment |
Mark Deeks Piano Player |
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The Fireworkers Ltd |
Impact Technical |
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Mark Gilroy Music |
Alexander Lomas |
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Alexandra Parker – Electric Violinist |
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Photography |
J Clitheroe Photography |
Photography and Videography |
Image Newcastle |
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PH Weddings |
Figment Studios |
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Nikki Bowling |
Jamie Penfold |
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Karen Walton |
Sarah Thew |
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Lissa Alexandra |
Neil Denham |
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Duncan Mansfield |
Gillian Cross |
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Wooden Hill Images |
One Digital Image |
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Alex Knight |
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Marmalade |
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I&J Photography |
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Cat Hepple |
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Videography |
Ever After |
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DCH Presentations |
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Know Media |
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In Camera Productions |
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Stationery Retailer |
Boutique 14 |
Stationery Retailer |
Silver Birch Designs |
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Invites for All |
StupidCupid |
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Butterflies and Snapdragons |
Graphic Embers |
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White Petal Design |
First Crush Cards |
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Vintage Love Stationery |
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StupidCupid |
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Wedding Enhancements |
Chair Covers of Yorkshire |
Wedding Enhancements |
Party On Balloons |
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Décor for Events |
Dandy Events |
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Bijou Chair Covers |
Beckwith Events |
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The Enchanted Wood Weddings |
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Martin House Hospice |
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Booth Revolution |
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Wedding Flowers |
Neve Flowers |
Wedding Flowers |
The Floral Quarter |
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Twisted Willow Floristry |
The Design Studio |
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Flowers by Anne-Marie |
Fern |
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Elise Flowers |
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Atelier de Fleurs |
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Wedding Services |
Steve Haynes Toastmaster |
Wedding Services |
North East Wedding Planners |
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Jane Nordli Wedding Planner |
JR Wedding Supplies |
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Love to Marry |
Travel Counsellors |
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The Angels Events Ltd |
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Yorkshire Venue Dressing |
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Wedding Venue |
The Craiglands |
Wedding Venue |
Newton Hall |
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Castle Howard |
Longhirst Hall |
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Hazlewood Castle |
Woodhill Hall |
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The Old Golf House Hotel |
The White Swan Hotel, Alnwick |
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Hotel du Vin, Harrogate |
Beamish Hall Country House Hotel |
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Holdsworth House |
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Wood Hall Hotel & Spa |
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Aldwark Manor |
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Goldsborough Hall |
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Burn Hall |
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York Venues |
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Villa Farm |
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New Wedding Business |
Sell My Wedding |
New Wedding Business |
Pansy Potter’s |
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Dominic Wright Photographer |
The Wooden Ladybird Company |
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Rachel-Elizabeth Designs |
Just Perfect Wedding & Event Gallery |
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Campbell’s Flowers |
Candy Dreams |
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Raithwaite Hall Country Retreat |
Victorian Sweet Cart Company |
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Bash |
Ruby Shoes Wedding |
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Buttercup Boutique |
Brides and Dreams |
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Nikki R Photo |
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Rebecca Downes Designer Dressmaker |
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White Rose Weddings |
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The Cherry Blossom Bakery |
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Happy Days Chair Covers |
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Good luck everyone, I’ll see you at the glitzy awards ceremonies that I know The Wedding Guide have planned. That link for tickets again: North Of England Wedding Awards Ticket Request.
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You don’t need to be a finalist to attend. Come along and support your fabulous industry colleagues.
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Brides to be? You’d do worse than to check out a few of the suppliers above!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 The Wedding Guide/ Brides Up North
Brides Up North is proud to sponsor The North Of England Wedding Awards
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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