More than 350 wedding specialists gathered this week on Monday 28 March, at The Europa Hotel in Belfast to find out the champions of The Northern Ireland Wedding Awards 2022, and a number of local businesses were among the worthy winners.
The prestigious industry awards event recognised exceptional wedding suppliers that go above and beyond to ensure the uniqueness of every wedding. These suppliers are from a variety of fields and they work their hardest to ensure that wow factor is present at every wedding they’re hired for.
Local winners revealed from included:
• Wedding Coordinator of the Year (Overall): Oliver Mort Kilmore Country House (Glenariff)
• Wedding Jewellers of the Year (Overall): VM Jewellery (Broughshane)
• Creative Videographer / Photographer of the Year (Overall): Hooked & Hitched / Harry McIlroy (Ballymena)
• Wedding Entertainment of the Year Country Antrim: Sounds Good Music (Larne)
• Wedding Photographer of the Year County Antrim: Brian Sherry photographer (Antrim)
• Wedding Boutique of the Year County Antrim: Bridal Elegance Boutique (Larne)
• Wedding Venue of the Year County Antrim: Dunadry Hotel And Gardens (Dunadry)
• Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Antrim: Rose & Ribbon Cake Design (Larne)
• Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Antrim: Hair by Ciara O’Neill (Ballymena)
One top winner, Vera McCullough (VM Jewellery) from Broughshane, lifted the overall Wedding Jewellers of the Year Award for the second time!
Born in The Czech Republic, Vera learnt her craft at the prestigious Jewellery School of Applied Art in Turnově. From here Vera moved to London to continue her art and work in the cities world famous precious stones and jewellery district, Hatton Garden.
It was here Vera met her husband, David. Vera fell in love with David's home-place and four years later moved to the heart of Northern Ireland's scenic Braid Valley in County Antrim.
Today, at the foot of Slemish Mountain Vera gets much of her artistic inspiration from the surrounding Antrim Hills and lush Northern Irish countryside.
Recently Vera was commissioned to design a brooch to be presented by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to The Duchess of Cambridge with matching Cufflinks for HRH The Duke of Cambridge.
Vera also created props for the HBO hit series Game Of Thrones, as well as creating a bespoke piece of jewellery for the Chinese Consul General to Northern Ireland, Madame Zhang upon her visit to Ballymena.
Monday night’s acclaimed award was the latest for Vera whose skilful and bespoke creations have seen her become one of County Antrim’s most sought after jewellers.
Talking to Love Ballymena after receiving her award, Vera said she was shocked by her second-time win. She commented:
“I was absolutely shocked, I did not expect to win. I thought someone else would take it as I won this same award in 2019. So I am very chuffed.
“I would like to thank Oceanic Events for organising such a fabulous awards party, and my team at work who enabled me to have the day off to come to this. I would also like to thank my loyal customers for nominating and voting for me - it really means a lot.”
The Awards provided a platform to showcase those who promote excellence in the industry, inspire others by their achievements and add the fairy-tale sparkle to any wedding.
A spokesperson for The Northern Ireland Wedding Awards 2022 said:
“The winners represent the industry’s gold standard that work tirelessly to meet the demands of the couples and their guests.
“The Awards showcase some of the best wedding specialists that operate in the industry, whose excellence and commitment brought them at the forefront of the industry.
“These champions are tried and tested specialists that know how to create a stress-free wedding experience, keeping the romance in the air. We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their amazing achievements.”
To find out more about VM Jewellery, please visit Vera’s Facebook page (Vera McCullough Jewellery) or check the website:
The full list of winners from The Northern Ireland Wedding Awards 2022 are:
Freelance Wedding Hair Specialist of the Year: Margaret Mallon Hairstyling (Lisburn)
Freelance Wedding Make Up Specialist of the Year: ALX Make-Up (Moira)
Videographer of the Year: Business honour wedding films (Dungannon)
Wedding Planner of the Year: Weddings at Tiffany’s (Belfast)
Groomswear Supplier of the Year: Kelvin Graham Menswear (Ballynahinch)
Wedding Coordinator of the Year: Oliver Mort Kilmore Country House (Glenariffe)
Outstanding Wedding Supplier of the Year: Gaz Entertainment (Newtownards)
Wedding DJ of the Year: D J Greener (Banbridge)
Celebrant of the Year: Cherish Life Celebrant (Enniskillen)
Wedding Transport Provider of the Year: Silverline wedding cars (Belfast)
Wedding Event Decorator of the Year: Charm Wedding Studio (Belfast)
Wedding Stationary Provider of The Year: Little Eve Wedding Studio (Ballymoney)
Wedding Accessories Provider of the Year: Veronica’s Collection (Newry)
Wedding Specialist Supplier of the Year: First Dance NI (Ballyclare)
Romantic Wedding Venue of the Year: Drenagh Country Estate (Limavady)
Wedding Caterer of the Year: Amarc Catering (Belfast)
Wedding Jewellers of the Year: VM Jewellery (Broughshane)
Creative Videographer / Photographer of the Year: Hooked & Hitched / Harry McIlroy (Ballymena)
Wedding Entertainment of the Year County Fermanagh: DJ Bob (Kesh)
Wedding Entertainment of the Year County Tyrone & Armagh: Sammy J Entertainment (Newry)
Wedding Entertainment of the Year County Derry/ Londonderry: Northern Lights Event Hire (Coleraine)
Wedding Entertainment of the Year Country Antrim: Sounds Good Music (Larne)
Wedding Entertainment of the Year County Down: Prestige Wedding Solutions (Bangor)
Wedding Entertainment of the Year Belfast: Unity Irish Dance
Wedding Entertainment of the Year Overall Winner: Prestige Wedding Solutions (Bangor)
Wedding Photographer of the Year Fermanagh: Ciaran Conlon Photography (Enniskillen)
Wedding Photographer of the Year County Down: Essence Photography (Newry)
Wedding Photographer of the Year County Tyrone: The Dixie Mix Photography (Stewarstown)
Wedding Photographer of the Year County Antrim: Brian Sherry photographer (Antrim)
Wedding Photographer of the Year County Armagh: CC Photography
Wedding Photographer of the Year Derry/Londonderry: Catherine Comer photography (Magherafelt)
Wedding Photographer of the Year Belfast: Pop photography
Wedding Photographer of the Year Overall Winner: Pop photography
Wedding Boutique of the Year County Fermanagh & County Tyrone: Diamonds & Pearls Bridal Boutique (Enniskillen)
Wedding Boutique of the Year County Derry/ Londonderry: Verona Bridal (Magherafelt)
Wedding Boutique of the Year County Antrim: Bridal Elegance Boutique (Larne)
Wedding Boutique of the Year County Down: Dresselicious (Newry)
Wedding Boutique of the Year County Armagh: Elody Bride (Newry)
Wedding Boutique of the Year Belfast: Love Weddings Studio
Wedding Boutique of the Year Overall Winner: Elody Bride (Newry)
Wedding Venue of the Year County Fermanagh: Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa (Enniskillen)
Wedding Venue of the Year County Tyrone: Old Rectory Killyman (Dungannon)
Wedding Venue of the Year County Derry/Londonderry: Beech Hill Country House (Derry/ Londonderry)
Wedding Venue of the Year County Antrim: Dunadry Hotel And Gardens (Dunadry
Wedding Venue of the Year County Down: Rocky mountain cottage (Hilltown)
Wedding Venue of the Year County Armagh: Seagoe Hotel (Craigavon)
Wedding Venue of the Year Belfast: Malone Lodge Hotel
Wedding Venue of the Year Overall Winner: Beech Hill Country House (Derry/ Londonderry)
Wedding Florist of the Year County Fermanagh: Lilly & Thorn (Newtownbutler)
Wedding Florist of the Year County Tyrone: Beautiful Blooms (Stewartstown)
Wedding Florist of the Year County Antrim: Wedding Designs by David McConkey (Ballynahinch)
Wedding Florist of the Year County Down: Little Buds Floral Design (Bangor)
Wedding Florist of the Year County Armagh: Abby Rose Flowers (Armagh)
Wedding Florist of the Year Derry/Londonderry: Willow & Twine (Upperlands)
Wedding Florist of the Year Belfast: Blooms of Belfast
Wedding Florist of the Year Overall Winner: Beautiful Blooms (Stewartstown)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Fermanagh: Cake Creations (Enniskillen)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Tyrone: Emma Stewart Cake Design (Omagh)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Armagh: Home Caked (Armagh)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Derry/ Londonderry: Cakes 2 Party (Maghera)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Antrim: Rose & Ribbon Cake Design (Larne)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year County Down: Laulo Cakes (Rostrevor)
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year Belfast: The Sugar room
Wedding Cake Designer of the Year Overall Winner: Laulo Cakes (Rostrevor)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Fermanagh: Vibrant Hair (Enniskillen)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Tyrone: Surgery Hairdressing (Dungannon)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Derry/ Londonderry: Creative Jemz (Derry/Londonderry)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Antrim: Hair by Ciara O’Neill (Ballymena)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Down: The Beauty Studio’s (Bangor)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year County Armagh: Mary Maguire Hair management (Newry)
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year Belfast: Ashlee-Nicole funky hair and nails
Wedding Hair & Makeup Salon of the Year Overall Winner: The Beauty Studio’s (Bangor)
Comments