BUSINESSES from across North Wales were named among the winners of the 2024 Welsh Wedding Awards earlier this month.
A ceremony was held at the Hilton Cardiff hotel on February 7, with many from North Wales either winning the categories they were nominated in or being crowned “highly commended”.
Here is a run-down of the winners and “highly commended” from Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd:
Wedding Boutique of the Year (North) - Bay Belle Brides (Old Colwyn)
Bay Belle Brides was started by Sue Holt the UK came out of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was also the winner of the “wedding hero award” at last year’s 2023 North Wales Wedding Awards.
Sue said: “All of the finalists are fabulous established boutiques, run by lovely people, and I never thought for a moment I would win.
“When I opened my email and scrolled down to see the winners, I was totally surprised and gobsmacked to find I had won.
“It’s an incredible feeling to know that my brides and brides to be took the time to vote for me.”
Hair and Makeup Specialists of the Year (North) - Studio 58 (Llanbedr)
Studio 58 is a professional hair and beauty salon, providing services including hair enhancing extensions, in Llanbedr, Gwynedd.
It also took second place in the “best business branding” category at the 2023 Hair and Beauty Awards.
A statement from Studio 58 read: “Thrilled to announce that we've won The Welsh Wedding Awards’ wedding hair and makeup specialist award for North Wales!
“(We are) bringing the honour back to Llanbedr with immense gratitude for everyone who voted and supported us. Thank you.”
Wedding DJ of the Year - DJP Discos (Dyserth)
Dan Porter, 32, of DJP Discos, been DJing since the age of nine, and works across North Wales and beyond.
He said: “I wasn’t expecting it; it’s all a bit of a whirlwind.
“It’s just nice to have recognition from the couples who took the time to vote for me.
“It’s a big honour for me to be involved in their day, so for them to go and nominate me for an award, as well, is a bit crazy.”
Celebrant of the Year - Ceremonies with Personality by Sarah Boalch (Rhyl)
Ceremonies with Personality is run by Sarah Boalch, a multi-award winning celebrant offering “fun, relaxed, and light-hearted ceremonies” in Wales, North West England, and Shropshire.
Sarah said: “It was such a surprise to win; it means so much to me that the couples I've helped have taken the time to vote for me.
“I absolutely love my job, so I already feel lucky, but this was so special!"
Celebrant of the Year Highly Commended - The Snowdonia Celebrant & Snowdonia Elopements (Llandudno)
The Snowdonia Celebrant & Snowdonia Elopements is a Llandudno-based business run by Alexandra Ashley, an independent celebrant conducting ceremonies “for everyone, whether humanist, faith based or mixed faith”.
She works with couples to create completely bespoke ceremonies, without restrictions on timing, content or location.
Alexandra specialises in micro-weddings, elopements and weddings in unique locations.
“I have the best job in the world, and receiving a national award that recognises my passion is simply amazing,” she said.
“Many couples don’t realise they don’t need to use a registrar or a licensed premises for their wedding ceremony.
“I encourage my couples to be creative and choose a ceremony and location that truly reflects them as a couple.
“There are so many magical places to get married in North Wales - why not let your imagination run wild!”
Freelance Wedding Hair and Makeup Specialist of the Year Highly Commended - Leanne Liepins Hair (Colwyn Bay)
Leanne Liepins Hair is run from within The Hair Shop salon in Colwyn Bay, by Leanne Liepins, from Deganwy.
She also won the best bridal individual (hair) prize not only for Wales, but for the UK as a whole, at last year’s UK Hair and Beauty Awards.
“I am delighted to hear I have been ‘highly commended’ in the Welsh Wedding Awards 2024,” Leanne said.
“I am honoured to be recognised in these awards and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Leanne Liepins Hair!”
Event Decorators of the Year Highly Commended - D&D Occasions (Colwyn Bay)
D&D Occasions is a wedding styling business from Colwyn Bay run by mother and daughter Donna and Danni, who are part of a team of 10.
It also won the “best venue stylist” category at last year’s North Wales Wedding Awards.
Donna and Danni said: “The team at D&D Occasions North Wales are yet again delighted to be given the highly commended award in the 2024 Welsh Wedding Awards that were held recently in Cardiff.
“We have been so lucky to win several awards now, but we stay humble and forever grateful to our customers, the community, and family and friends who trust us for their special day.
“We truly love what we do and continue to work hard to achieve the high standards we have set and make all our couples the happiest they can be.
“Thank you to all our team and the incredible wedding businesses around North Wales who continue to support and recommend us.”
Local Wedding Exhibition of the Year Highly Commended - Wigfair Hall (Saint Asaph)
Wigfair Hall is a Grade II* listed building; a large private country house in St Asaph built in 1884.
Kim Jackson, wedding director, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to have been nominated by our couples! As a relatively new wedding venue, this was completely unexpected!
“Then to be a finalist, and go to the awards to represent Wigfair Hall....and hear that we were awarded highly commended wedding venue, it was truly a ‘whoop whoop wow moment’!
“Our certificate sits proudly next to the North Wales Wedding Award for best bijou wedding Venue that we won last October.
“A huge thanks to all involved, congratulations to all the other winners, and our heartfelt thanks to our couples!”
Videographer of the Year Highly Commended - Woodpecker Films (Rhyl)
Woodpecker Films is a broadcasting and media production company based in Rhyl, which offers its services at not only weddings, but also sports and corporate events and more.
A statement from Woodpecker Films read: “Here at Woodpecker Films, we are delighted to maintain our position in the finals of the Welsh Wedding Awards this year, and not only that, but win the ‘highly commended’ recognition award.
“We will continue to strive for greatness and ensure that everything we do has our couples at the heart of our productions and procedures.”
Wedding Accessories Provider of the Year Highly Commended - LB Wedding Veils (Rhyl)
LB Wedding Veils is a Rhyl-based business run by Lisa Bozman, offering designer veils made in one to two days of any length or colour, with custom orders available at no extra cost.
Honeymoon Planner of the Year Highly Commended - Polka Dot Travel (Llandudno)
Polka Dot Travel boasts high street stores across North Wales, Shropshire, Mid Wales and Cheshire.
Its Llandudno store is based in the town’s Victoria Centre.
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