EXHIBITOR AWARDS

Most Creative Stand

Red Floral Architecture

This award was presented to Mat Hepplestone from Red Floral Architecture and he was thrilled to receive it. Mat has run the business since 2003, but has been interested in floristry from a young age when he used to have a Saturday job at a florists shop.

After going to university and realising the flair that he had for design, Mat decided to use his creative energies in the floristry business and concentrates solely on weddings.

Describing his style as ‘blingtastic’ for want of a better description, he designs stunning arrangements and bouquets using crystal elements, vintage accessories and spectacular blooms for the designer led displays and bouquets. Mat has built up a reputation for glamorous, stylised designs, using his creative skill to produce something unique to each client, and takes pride in supplying the highest quality fresh flowers to bring his ideas to life.

Longstanding Exhibitor Award

Adina Designer Bridal Headwear

The award in this category was presented to Adrienne Berger from Adina who has exhibited with The UK Wedding Shows for ten years. Having run the business for the last 14 years, Adrienne was delighted to win the award in recognition of her continued support of the shows.

Adrienne comes from a background in a medical business, but has always had an interest in arts and crafts, and decided to put her talents to good use designing and creating intricate tiaras and bridal headwear. Adrienne originally researched and made her own designs, but now also retails the best British designers in the business. She only uses the highest quality materials with Swarovski crystal and only stocks designs that she personally likes. This helps her to monitor the quality of the range and also means that her personal taste is reflected in the designs that are stocked, making her the expert to advise brides on their choice as she knows the pieces inside out, from the design, materials and construction, through to the finished article.

New Exhibitor Award

Athena Weddings

The New Exhibitor award was presented to Bal Uppal from Athena Weddings who re-launched their business at the Manchester Central show.

The company have been in business for the last five years as Black & White World Photography, but decided to re brand and re launch at Manchester and present themselves to a new clientele. Bal said he was delighted to win the award as a lot of hard work had gone in to the theme and decoration of the stand, and he had a lot of positive comments form visitors who loved the style.

Bal has a large team of photographers and videographers in the company and is able to provide both services as a package, rather than couples having to source from two different companies, this enables them to ensure that the filming of the event complements the images, particularly where the bride and groom have a particular theme for their wedding or want a specific look for their images.

International Recognition Award

Firenza Floral Design

The award for International Recognition was presented to Fiona Pickles from Firenza Floral Design by Brad Buckles, President of Bridesclub.com. Fiona was very pleased to win the award in recognition of all the work that had gone in to the stand at Manchester. Fiona comes from a print background originally and retrained with Jane Packer in London to become a florist, setting up her own business in 2005. The company is named Firenza, Italian for Florence, after her grandmother and this family heritage is something that is very close to Fiona’s heart.

She specialises solely in weddings and is very keen to use scented flowers in the arrangements as so many varieties these days have little or no scent. The scent of a flower from the bouquet or arrangement will take a couple back to their wedding day and so these varieties are ideal for wedding flowers. Fiona deals with every aspect from the initial design to the event itself, and prides herself on this personal service. Brad Buckles who presented the award commented that he loved the style of the arrangements and appreciated the skill involved, he said that even though the same blooms may be used in the US, it is usually done in a much more clashing and bold style, in contrast to the muted colours and tasteful displays that we are used to seeing in the UK.

Most Creative Stand

Chapter Photography

The award for Most Creative Stand was presented to Evie and Jamie McDermott from Chapter Photography. The couple have been in business for a relatively short time, with Evie as the main photographer in the business, and concentrating on wedding photography and portrait work. Evie said that they wanted to present their images in a different way so that people could really get a feel for their brand. The award was judged with input from The UK Wedding Shows Directors and sales team who were unanimous in their decision.

They were struck by the design of the stand with its photo montage backdrop and they were impressed by the work that had gone in to the presentation. The UK Wedding Shows hope to welcome Chapter Photography back to the show in 2012.

Longstanding Exhibitor Award

Kay Nelson Gowns

The first Longstanding Exhibitor award was presented to Kathy Nelson from Kay Nelson Gowns. The company has been in business for almost sixty years and their store was opened by Mrs Catherine Nelson on April 8th 1952. Kathy’s mother Catherine was at the show when the award was presented and was delighted to receive the certificate. Kay Nelson Gowns have maintained three generations of family tradition and excellent customer service, have exhibited at almost every show at St Georges Hall, and will also be exhibiting for the first time at the new bridal fayre organised by The UK Wedding Shows at the Devonshire House Hotel on October 16th. Kay Nelson Gowns have outfits and accessories for the Mother of the Bride, formal occasions, cruises, holidays and a wealth of other events. They also stock hats and fascinators and their experienced and friendly staff are on hand to help their clients choose from a range of designer names to create the perfect outfit whatever the occasion.

New Exhibitor Award

Red Events Creative

The first New Exhibitor Award was presented to Clair Thompson from Red Events Creative who received a certificate. The chairs for the fashion show were beautifully dressed by Clair from Red Events in a striking pink and white colour way with a hooded organza chair back and a rose decoration on each chair. Clair said “I have been involved in the Events industry for many years and dealt with events both large and small. It is the first time I have exhibited with The UK Wedding Shows and I am delighted to have won the award in the ‘new exhibitor’ category.

I am so lucky to be doing a job I enjoy and know that I am helping to create very special memories for the happy couples I work with. I received many compliments and the show was a huge success for me; I will definitely be at next year’s show.”

Most Creative Stand

Dandy Events

Dandy events have exhibited with The UK Wedding Shows since the first show at the Racecourse in 2006 Lynn Sanderson from Dandy Events said it was fantastic to be recognised for the effort that they put in to decorating their stand, as they have always had lots of positive comments over the years. Almost thirty years experience means that Lynn and Denise are able to offer a bespoke service with every detail expertly taken care of. They set the trends for the North East, and like to stay one step ahead of their competitors.

They have often been asked their advice by other exhibitors at the shows and feel that their personal touch is what sets them apart. Lynn was delighted to receive the award and commented that the awards would encourage exhibitors to put the time in to making their stands look appealing, thus improving the overall look of the exhibitions.

Longstanding Exhibitor Award

Greener Interiors

The award was presented to Alan Douglas who has been in the floristry business for 28 years. Alan was delighted to win the award and said that he would be having it framed and on display as soon as he could catch his breath after doing several consecutive events.

Alan is a skilled florist with natural talent and a creative gift which enables him to produce stunning floral displays for all kinds of events. Greener Interiors have exhibited with The UK Wedding Shows for the last ten years and it is very rewarding to recognise a client who has consistently exhibited with the company at our shows in the North East.

New Exhibitor Award

Figment Studios

This award was presented to Adrian Hanlon from Figment, a first time exhibitor and a relatively late entry to the show. Adrian had a beautifully decorated and dressed stand and some fantastic examples of his work on display. Adrian comes from a commercial photography background and is highly skilled in post production, working with retouching of images for celebrities and musicians.

The wedding photography side of the business gives him the chance to show the reportage and storybook style of photography that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Adrian was pleased to win the award as The UK Wedding Shows event was his first time at an exhibition, but he said it was great to be able to speak with so many couples and he is looking to exhibit again in the future.