It's been another incredible year for the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards! Every year we love to celebrate the best suppliers and venues in the wedding industry, all of whom provide amazing customer service to their couples. Our shortlist is made up of wedding businesses that go that extra mile for brides and grooms, and it's always a tight-run race right up until voting closes. Check out our Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards finalists for 2022.
Without further ado, here are the winners from each of our categories at the Customer Service Awards 2019! Did your wedding suppliers make the list?
Beauty, Hair and Makeup
Winner: Gemini Styling
Based in Essex, Gemini Styling is a one-to-one wedding hairdressing service that has been helping brides based in Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire for over 20 years. Plus, their Guides for Brides exclusive Booking Bonus means that the bride will receive a free luxury cut and blow-dry the day before the wedding when you book for at least four people.
Finalists
Jules Makeup Artistry & Hair Design
Suzanne Hale Wedding Hair Specialist
Bridal Wear
Winner: Butterfly Bridal Boutique
This gorgeous bridal boutique in Bicester, Oxfordshire prides itself on its dress gallery of over 80 gowns, all carefully selected to suit a range of tastes, styles and budgets. Butterfly Bridal Boutique also stock a stunning range of veils, belts, jackets and accessories, so you can add the final touches to your wedding day look.
Finalists
Cakes and Sweet Treats
Winner: Ann’s Designer Cakes
The amazing wedding cake creations from Ann's Designer Cakes are as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the tastebuds! This London-based artisan cake company has been in business for fifteen years, and offers every bride a highly personalised service, including a design consultation and cake tasting.
Finalists
Catering and Catering Hire
Winner: Lemon Zest Cuisine Ltd
This award-winning catering company based in Brackley, Northamptonshire is a family-run business that prides itself on attention to detail. Their reviews consistently mention their excellent service with a smile, as well as their truly delicious wedding menus.
Finalist
Celebrants and Toastmasters
Winner: White Rose Ceremonies®
Working in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, White Rose Ceremonies® specialise in creating truly personalised wedding ceremonies to suit each couple's individual style. Whether your wedding is a blend of cultures or religions, formal or casual, big or small, Rebecca and David Waldron will help you craft a wedding ceremony to reflect your ideal day.
Finalists
William Freeman Toastmaster and Celebrant
Discos & DJ’s
Winner: Smooth Moves Events
If you're planning a rustic wedding, then you'll love the new rustic DJ setup that Smooth Moves Events offers! It works perfectly for a barn, farm or countryside wedding. Planning a modern wedding? Smooth Moves also have a classic light-up DJ booth, and they're sure to keep your guests entertained all night.
Finalists
Innovents Entertainments & Services
Entertainment
Winner: Picture Perfick Photobooths Swindon
The trend for photobooths is still going strong, and Picture Perfick Photobooths Swindon have been providing fun and entertainment at wedding receptions for years now. This family-run business is popular with brides due to their fabulous service, fun props and open booths, allowing for larger photos.
Finalists
Florists
Winner: Penny Blossoms
Oxfordshire wedding florist Penny Blossoms are known for their intricate and original designs. At the initial consultation, Penny chats to the couple about their relationship, the proposal, their favourite colours and flowers, all to help customise their wedding flowers and make them unique to the couple.
Finalists
Hen and Stag
Winners: The Crafty Hen
Good news for brides hoping for a fun crafting hen do - this year's winners The Crafty Hen host parties nationwide! Bond over cakes, crafts and fizz while you make accessories for the hen night, such as flower crowns, pom pom headbands or stylish jewellery. You can even create personalised pottery, cheeky nipple tassles, or colourful bunting for the wedding itself.
Honeymoons and Overseas Weddings
Winner: Exclusive Yacht Weddings
Award-winning destination company Exclusive Yacht Weddings are specialists in yacht and beach weddings in Cyprus. Based in Paphos and covering the whole island of Cyprus, Exclusive Yacht Weddings have spent over 20 years planning every kind of destination wedding imaginable, from religious ceremonies in churches to civil ceremonies on the beach or blessings by a yacht Captain.
Jewellery
Winner: Rosalyn's Emporium
Rosalyn's Emporium in Buckinghamshire offers couples the chance to make their own wedding rings, meaning you can create a design that's completely tailor made to you. Don't worry if you have no jewellery-making experience - your bespoke jewellery will all be professionally finished!
Finalists
Music
Winners: The Blue Lion Band
Our entertainment at the Customer Service Awards 2019, The Blue Lion Band are truly a Guides for Brides favourite thanks to their amazing service and fantastic high energy sets. The band can be anywhere from 3 to 15-piece, so no matter your wedding requirements, they're sure to have the package for you.
Finalists
Bathsheba's Wedding Ceilidh Band
Photographers
Winner: Sam and Steve Photography
Sam and Steve are the perfect choice for couples who want relaxed, natural wedding photographs with a sense of fun. This Oxfordshire-based husband and wife team work to capture all the key moments of your day to tell your wedding story. They also charge by the day, not the hour, so they won't leave until the party's over!
Finalists
Aimee Kirkham Oxford-Photography
Paul Gapper Wedding Photographer
Photography by Derek and Debbie
Sam Bennett Photography & Film
Stationery
Winner: On Cloud Nine
Wedding stationers On Cloud Nine create absolutely gorgeous suites of bespoke wedding stationery in every theme you can imagine. Right from the word go, they put their special stamp on every piece of stationery you'll need for your big day, from save the dates to thank you cards and everything in between.
Finalists
Transport
Winner: Always Chauffeur
This award-winning luxury chauffeur service in Berkshire are known for their beautiful cars, well-present female chaffeurs and excellent communication. Whether you're looking for a 1920s vintage limo or a modern Range Rover, there's something at Always Chaffeur for every bride.
Venue Decorations & Furniture Hire
Winner: The Event Designer
Natasha Clarke of The Event Designer works with couples to create, style and set up wedding decor that's unique to them. The Event Designer's range of packages include DIY hire, a fully bespoke design plan, on-the-day management and co-ordination, as well as fun extras like a fully licensed bar service and a glitter bar.
Finalists
Videography
Winner: Video Studio Alex
This Oxfordshire-based team of wedding videographers has captured over 400 weddings, spanning over 17 years, and every video tells a different story. Video Studio Alex capture the feel and emotion of the day in a natural and unobtrusive way, and offer combined wedding photography and videography packages to meet every couple's needs.
Finalists
Wedding Attire
Winner: Charisma of Fawley
This completely refurbished and rebranded occasionwear boutique in Hampshire is the perfect place to shop for the mother of the bride or groom. As well as the latest occasionwear designs, they also stock a stunning range of hats and fascinators to add that finishing touch.
Barn Wedding Venue
Winner: The Tythe Barn, Launton
This incredible barn wedding venue in Bicester, Oxfordshire is famous for their incredible variety of spaces, award-winning catering and attention to detail. The Tythe Barn perfectly combines original 14th century features with all the mod cons to give each couple the wedding experience they've always dreamed of.
Finalists
Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel
Country Wedding Venue
Winner: Manor Hill House Weddings
Manor Hill House is a beautiful exclusive use wedding venue set in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside. With availability for both indoor and outdoor weddings, four stunning reception rooms, and a huge range of bespoke wedding catering packages, Manor Hill House Weddings are able to offer a huge amount of flexibility to both brides and grooms.
Finalists
Eynsham Hall
Four Leaf Clover at Gorcott Hall
The Master Builder's at Bucklers Hard
Large Wedding Venue
Winner: Ramada Park Hall Hotel & Spa
Ramada Park Hall Hotel and Spa is a Grade II listed Georgian hotel in the West Midlands, and makes an impact as soon as you pull onto the driveway. This magnificent hotel can cater for weddings up to a massive 850 guests, thanks to their elegant Ballroom, outdoor wedding options and Orangery, and their 74 bedrooms make accommodation easy.
Finalists
Balmer Lawn Hotel & Saltus Spa
Best Western Smokies Park Hotel
Malone Lodge Hotel and Apartments
Manor Wedding Venue
Winner: Brympton House
When you book this incredible Grade 1 listed medieval manor house, you'll get exclusive use for 24 hours, making them the perfect choice for both glamour and privacy. Based in Somerset, Brympton House also boasts a 33 acre garden, 5 star banqueting and 30 elegant bedrooms for your guests.
Finalists
Small Wedding Venue
Winner: The Bell in Ticehurst
The Bell in Ticehurst is a quirky sixteenth century coaching inn in East Sussex, catering for up to 80 guests for sit down ceremonies and receptions and up to 120 guests for a evening party. With characterful detail, plenty of cozy nooks and crannies, delicious food and faultless service by staff, The Bell in Ticehurst is one of the most unique properties in the area.
Finalists
Sporting Wedding Venue
Winner: Wynyard Golf Club
Golf clubs always make for elegant wedding venues, and Wynyard Golf Club in County Durham takes top spot this year thanks to their fabulous customer service. The venue offers a range of rooms to cater to weddings both big and small, all of which come with beautiful panoramic views of the golf course.
Finalists
Brocton Hall Golf Club & Weddings
Stately Homes, Castles and Mansions
Winner: Highfield Park
This stately Queen Anne Mansion set in 35 acres of Hampshire countryside offers sophisticated civil ceremony options for weddings between 60 and 140 guests. The original 17th century features mean that Highfield Park is a wedding photographer's dream, and there are 58 ensuite bedrooms for guests wishing to stay overnight.
Finalists
Unique Wedding Venue
Winner: The Matara Centre
The Matara Centre in Gloucestershire truly deserves the title of Unique Wedding Venue, as the spaces offered are like nowhere else. The venue offers an Asian-inspired cloistered courtyard, extensive gardens with beautifully quirky landscaping, and no fewer than six licensed ceremony areas. Even the accommodation is unusual, including a honeymoon lodge and converted haylofts.
Finalists
Waterside Wedding Venue
Winner: Lodore Falls Hotel
What better location for a waterside wedding venue than the breathtaking Lake District? The newly refurbished Lodore Falls Hotel is set against an unbeatable backdrop of the Lodore Falls and mountains, and looks out onto lake views. As well as their surroundings, the venue is also famed for their delicious food, thanks to their award-winning head chef.
Finalists
Raven Hall Country House Hotel
Congratulations again to all our winners and finalists! Check out our gallery from the night below - don't forget to tag Nigel Chapman Photography if you're sharing on social media!
