THE BRIDAL BUYER AWARDS 2011 – THE FINALISTS
The finalists in this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards have been announced today. While the judging panels start the final selection to establish the overall category winners, plans are underway for the biggest and best Awards ceremony yet. For ticket information contact georgia@harrogate-bridal.co.uk
This year’s Awards programme attracted a higher-than-ever number of entries in its 16 categories that cover both retailer and supplier awards, as well as the key student designer award that itself pulled in more than 300 entries from young hopefuls across the country.
To arrive at the finalist stage and move on for critical assessment by the judging panel, entries in self-nominated categories are scrupulously checked to ensure that they meet the criteria set out on the entry form. Those that do are then shortlisted and have to pass through various other checking stages in which the opinion of independent experts and industry bodies may be sought. On-schedule deliveries, customer service and stockist support are part of the equation in shortlisting for the supplier awards, while shop design, marketing and promotion, supplier support and meeting agreed payment terms will influence entries in the retailer categories. This year, votes for The Bridal Designer of the Year title were cast by visitors at the London and Birmingham National Wedding Shows in the autumn as were votes for the hotly-contended Wedding Dress of the Year award. In some categories, because the standard of entries was so high, we have for the first time increased the number of finalists.
Congratulations all round to this year’s finalists who are:
Best Bridalwear Retailer
Ava Rose Hamilton
Bellissima Weddings
Boda Bridal
Ellie Sanderson
Emma Hartley
Mamfii
Wedding Days of Cheltenham
Best Groomswear Retailer
All Aspects
Anthony Formalwear
Hugh Harris
Simon James
Tux ‘n’ Tails
Yorkshire Menswear
Best New Bridalwear Retailer
Alison Kirk
Julia Tasker
La Boutique
Limelight Occasions
The White Closet
Whyte Weddings
Xquisite Bridalwear
Best Retail Website
Boda Bridal
The Harrogate Wedding Lounge
Limelight Occasions
Teokath of London
The White Boutique
The Wedding Shop
Best Customer Service
Abigails Collection
Ava Rose Hamilton
Bellissima Weddings
Gracie Bleu
Proposals of Witney
Wedding Belles of Anglesey
Best Bridalwear Manufacturer
Amanda Wyatt
Ellis
MaggieSottero
Mark Lesley
Sincerity/Justin Alexander
Veromia
Best Groomswear Manufacturer/Supplier
Anthony Formalwear
Cameron Ross
Heirloom
Hugh Harris
Masterhand
Torre
Best Bridesmaid Collection
Dessy
D’Zage
Impression
JLM Europe
Kelsey Rose
Special Day
Best Occasionwear Collection
Anoushka G
John Charles
Mascara
Precious Formals
JLM Europe
Sarah Danielle Occasions
Best Plus-size Collection
Bonny Bridal
Callista
Sincerity Plus
Sonsie by Veromia
Special Day
White Rose
Best Headdress Designer
Ellie K
Halo & Co
Liza Designs
Richard Designs
Sarah Kavanagh Bridal
Vivien Sheriff
Yarwood White
Best Shoe Collection
Crystal Couture
Freya Rose
Harriet Wilde
Paradox London
Rachel Simpson
Rainbow Club
Wedding Dress of the Year
Elianna Moore
Ellis Bridals
Mark Lesley
Mori Lee
Maggie Sottero
Sophia Tolli
Best Bridal Innovation
BRIMAS
Collins BrIdal
Charlotte Rose
Freya Rose
Halo & Co
Vivien Sheriff
Readers' comments (6)
Ruth Butterfield | 15-Jan-2011 11:51 am
I have known of Crystal Couture for just under a year, shortly after they started. I have to say the choice and quality of the shoes are outstanding not to mention the warm, friendly, helpful advice you get with any queries. I do hope Crystal Couture recieve an award, not just for how well they have done in just a year but also because the customer service is second to none.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Penny Coyle | 17-Jan-2011 7:38 pm
Crystal Couture has achieved amazing things since it started. It offers a fabulous range of shoes and great service. The company fully deserves an award and I'm looking forward to seeing what they produce next.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Julia Barnes - Village Brides | 2-Feb-2011 9:21 am
We have been trading almost 5 years and this is when our relationship wth Impression Bridal started. Their dresses are stunning, their knowledge of the industry is amazing and their customer service is simply outstanding. Lucas and his dynamic team truly deserve to win this award. Myself and my staff wish them continued success and above all good luck with their nomination.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Gemma Pedlar | 3-Feb-2011 10:05 pm
Crystal Couture is a fantastic company that has achieved so much in a such a short space of time. Their gorgeous unique shoes are high quality adding sparkle and glamour to any outfit. The customer service they provide is professional yet friendly with a very easy to use website displaying their fabulous range. They deserve to be nominated for an award for all the hard work and commitment they have put into this business since the start. Good luck!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
John Mahaffy | 23-Feb-2011 3:04 pm
Alison Kirk bridal a well deserved nomination, 2 stunning shops with great staff. Good Luck !
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Renee Rogers | 23-Feb-2011 9:02 pm
Having worked in a bridal boutique for 6 years using traditional paper files and excel methods, we wanted to find a multi-tasking and innovative computer system that would cut down paperwork. The second stall we came across at Harrogate 2010 was Brimas...a multifaceted system that runs on any computer with the internet! Quite disastrous finding it that early on as we spoke about nothing else for the whole trip! Having had the privilege of trailing the system, every day I discover a new element that saves time/money or improves customer service. What a find! Great to see you nominated guys...good luck!!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment