Wedding Supplier Awards Meet The Finalists Evening

On Wednesday evening Ce and I went to the Wedding Supplier Awards Meet The Finalists Evening which was held at The Italian Villa at Compton Acres.

We actually stopped for a meal just around the corner at The Cliff, 6 Ravine Road, Poole, BH13 7HX We arrived around 5:30 so lunchtime prices were still applicable and had a very good two course meal for £12:50 per head. This was my second visit (thanks to fellow DJ Paul Armstrong) and both times I’ve been very impressed (CLICK HERE)

I love The Italian Villa, it’s a wonderful setting for a wedding. I’ve only played there once so far, two years ago for Lauren and Dave’s wedding. They host weddings across the three floors, starting upstairs with the ceremony in the Medici Suite, moving to the ground floor and the Verona Suite for the wedding breakfast and then to the lower floor Siena Suite for the evening party. With all that and the amazing gardens they have won numerous awards and justifiably so. CLICK HERE to go their website.

The Wedding Supplier Awards Meet The Finalists Evening was hosted in the Verona Suite and was for the finalists for the Dorset and Hampshire awards. We met lots of old friends and made some new ones.

We were welcomed at the door by Sam from South Coast Events who organised the awards (SEE PREVIOUS POST HERE)

Among the finalist friends who were in attendance were photographers Antony Burdett-Clark from Lightbox Studios (who nominated me), Brian & Wendy Carter from BC DigiPhot who are both in the Hampshire photography category and Keith Bridle ~ Bridle Photography who is in the Dorset awards.

It was also good to catch up with Carol and Kirsty from Laurel Designs who I’ve blogged about before (CLICK HERE). Laurel Designs offer a wide range of services to couples planning their wedding including stationery, decor and wedding planning.

One of the new suppliers (to us) was Manta Makes Ltd who offer a wide range of wedding decor, personalised items and keepsakes. If you love wood you’ll love Manta Makes. I think they are in the Dorset finals.

Also in the Dorset finals are A & D Mobile Bars. Andy and Darren are passionate about drink and service – and I really do mean passionate! They know their drink inside out and we really enjoyed chatting to them and their team.

We also chatted with J.C. from Daisy Roots Vintage Photo Booth who have an amazing selection of props dating back to 1890 – perfect if you are “going vintage”.

Finally, all three finalists for the Wedding DJ category from Hampshire were there, Toby from Your DJ, Colin and Denise from Eclipse and … us 😉 It was good to catch up with the competition who we’ve both known for many years.

I’m sure there were other people I’ve missed out but that’s a flavour of the Meet The Finalists evening.