The annual Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards recognises and rewards Wedding Venues and Suppliers that deliver exceptional service and achieve outstanding customer satisfaction.
The Awards Ceremony
Tickets are available to awards finalists and those working within the wedding industry. Tickets go on sale Friday 16th January, and you can book your tickets by calling the office on 01235 770078 and speaking to a member of the team.
- Date: 18th March 2026
- Timings: 18:30 to 23:30
- Location: Oxford Town Hall
- Ticket Price: £TBC per person
- Included with the ticket: Drink on arrival, 3 course meal, awards ceremony, entertainment, music & dancing and charity raffle
- Dress Code: Dress to Impress
Our Celebration Menu will be served at the awards evening and provided to all guests unless a vegan option is requested. Please inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. We regret that we cannot guarantee menu adjustments after the two-week cut-off prior to the event. Menu details will be announced shortly.
Oxford Town Hall is conveniently located in the city centre and is easily accessible. Park and Ride bus stops are nearby, as well as all major bus routes, various car parking facilities and Oxford train station are just a short walk away. For directions, the town hall is located on St. Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1BX.
If you are staying overnight and looking for accommodation, take a look at some of the wonderful options nearby here.
After such a busy season, it is really important to bring recognition to the wedding industry, and shine a light on the many businesses, of all sizes, that are making it thrive and delivering their clients a brilliant experience.
The awards are totally free for our advertisers to enter, and we have over 25 main categories.
What is the process for entering the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards?
Step 1: Ask your couples for their help
The Guides for Brides awards are based on both the quality and quantity of your reviews. Your couples - past, present, and future - will be happy to help as they'll want their venue or suppliers to be award-winning too!
Make it easy for them to leave reviews by sharing the news on your website, on social media and in your email footer with a link to your Guides for Brides listing or to guidesforbrides.co.uk/reviews.
Step 2: If you are shortlisted
If your couples have left reviews for you elsewhere, these can also be included as long as you include the individual's first name, wedding date and venue.
Businesses will be automatically shortlisted in January 2026. This will be based on the quantity and quality of reviews left from 1st January - 31st December 2025. We look at the size of your business and the number of wedding clients into consideration to give small businesses the same chance as larger companies.
If your business is shortlisted, you will be sent a short questionnaire to fill in. Here you can tell our leading industry experts why your business should be the winner of a Customer Service Award.
Step 3: Finalists
Our industry experts will analyse the shortlisted businesses in order to narrow them down to our finalists and pick a winner for each category. This is based on their reviews and supporting information that shows they are delivering excellent service and achieving great customer satisfaction.
All finalists will receive an email confirmation of their status and an invitation to the awards evening. These will be sent in mid-January 2026.
We then hand over to our panel of judges who will select our winners.
Who chooses the winners?
Our awards are judged throughout the process based on the quality and quantity of the reviews you receive. Once we get to the finalist stage, the decision is handed over to a panel of industry experts to select the winners.
The Judges
Once again we have asked a group of judges to choose the winners in each category, we are always incredibly grateful for them taking their time to make sure the business with the best customer service will win. With so much great talent it is no easy feat but we are sure they will rise to the challenge!
Our judges for 2026 are:
Kelly Mortimer is a leading expert in wedding industry training, sales and revenue. She has worked with respected venues including Claridge's, Rosewood London and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, supporting weddings ranging from high-volume resorts to high-end celebrations. This breadth of experience gives her a practical understanding of how the industry operates at every level. Kelly's insight and industry knowledge make her a valuable addition to the judging panel for this year's awards.
Anthony Stears, AKA “The Telephone Assassin,” helps wedding businesses improve the way they speak with couples. He teaches simple, practical techniques to build rapport quickly, handle sensitive conversations and give couples a more personal experience. His training has supported venues and suppliers in turning more enquiries into confirmed bookings by making every call count. Anthony's understanding of how strong communication supports the couple journey makes him an excellent judge for this year's awards.
Siobhan Craven-Robins is acknowledged as the UK's first Wedding Planner, having identified a need for dedicated coordinators back in 1995. As director of Siobhan Craven-Robins Weddings for 26 years, she has built a reputation for exceptional customer service and a collaborative approach. She now plays an active role in the UK Wedding Association following its merger with the National Association of Wedding Professionals. Siobhan's depth of experience and ability to bring businesses together make her a valuable member of our judging panel.
Anshika Arora is an expert in consumer behaviour, with a strong focus on Gen Z trends and expectations. She is recognised for her expertise in multicultural weddings and understanding the needs of modern couples. Anshika helps businesses better understand their audiences and create more inclusive, relevant experiences. Her insight into emerging demographics and diverse wedding traditions makes her a valuable judge for this year's awards.
Eamon Crosby, Co-founder and CEO of Britebiz, is a serial entrepreneur now committed to helping others grow their businesses. He holds a Degree and Masters in Science, along with a professional accountancy qualification from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Before focusing on the events industry, Eamon gained experience with major global organisations including Microsoft, Dell and Zoho CRM. His strong commercial background and understanding of business growth make him a valuable member of our judging panel.
Becca Pountney is a speaker, blogger and marketing specialist who has helped thousands of wedding professionals grow their businesses. She shares her tips and guidance through her podcast, Wedding Pros Who Are Ready To Grow. Becca is known for giving practical, down-to-earth advice that supports real growth within the industry. Her insight and experience make her a great judge for our awards.
Jonny Bann began his career at LEGOLAND Windsor as Park Events and Production Manager before moving to Heritage Venues, where he developed commercial and operational strategy at Lillibrooke Manor and later Stanlake Park Wine Estate. He then joined Various Eateries PLC, managing commercial operations across 17 sites and five brands, before taking on a strategic leadership role at The Conduit. Jonny is now Managing Director at Silchester Farm, leading the venue's growth and guest experience. His extensive background across venues, hospitality and commercial strategy makes him a strong addition to our judging panel.
Rebecca Waldron has been a multiple winner at our awards in previous years and has stepped back to join the judging panel. Having achieved success herself, Rebecca has demonstrated outstanding customer service through her company, White Rose Ceremonies, and knows exactly what excellence looks like within the industry.
Charlie Clements is the Sales & Marketing Manager at Oxford City Council and brings with her a strong nine year background in the leisure industry. Known for her warm and friendly approach, she has built strong working relationships and contributed to a wide range of projects within the sector. Her understanding of service standards and organisational excellence makes her well suited to judging our customer service awards. Charlie's insight and positive nature make her a great addition to our judging panel.
Sam and Steve Vaughan are professional wedding photographers based in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and have been capturing weddings since 2008. Photographing around 30 weddings each year, they bring extensive experience and insight into what makes a couple's day truly special. Well known and respected within the wedding industry, they have received several accolades, including the Guides for Brides Wedding Photographers of the Year awards in 2019 and 2020. Their depth of experience and eye for detail make them a valuable part of our judging panel.
Georgina Guest is a wedding industry specialist with extensive experience across a wide range of venue types. With a strong background in venue management and event planning, she has helped transform venues into award-winning destinations. Her work spans venue consultancy, sales management, training, and wedding marketing, giving her a deep understanding of how successful weddings are created. Georgina's passion, enthusiasm and industry expertise make her a fantastic addition to our judging panel.
Tom Willoughby is the Assistant Manager of THAT Event Company Oxford with extensive experience in the event hire industry. He specialises in strategic planning, operations management and customer-focused solutions. Tom is known for building strong client relationships and ensuring they have the support needed to bring their visions to life. His commitment to quality and his eye for recognising excellent customer service make him a valuable member of our judging panel.
The Event and Our Sponsors
Our Customer Service Awards evening will also serve as a fundraiser for our charity partners, Thames Valley Air Ambulance. We will be hosting a raffle with incredible prizes, and all proceeds from the raffle tickets will go directly to the charity.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance provides advanced critical care to people facing life-threatening emergencies across the Thames Valley region. Their expert paramedics, doctors, and pilots bring hospital-level treatment directly to patients when every second counts. They offer vital medical support to families during their most difficult moments, helping give the best possible chance of survival and recovery.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors. Without their help, we wouldn't have the opportunity to bring such a wonderful event together.
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