Wedding Blog > Ideas, News & Top Lists
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With easy access to online reviews, social media and websites, the modern consumer is always looking for the best products and services. Modern consumerism has attracted customers with high standards, and rightfully so when designing one's dream wedding day. It was the 102,983 newlyweds which had ranked, rated and evaluated the quality of product, quality of service, value for money and attitude of staff of 2,869 wedding businesses culminating in 295 Finalists who competed for Australia's most prestigious wedding industry award - The ABIA National Designer of Dreams Awards.
The Chairman of ABIA, Mr. John O' Meara, said that each Finalist should be extremely proud of the accomplishment which honoured the pride, passion and professionalism in which they delivered their product and service to their wedding couples.
Mr. O' Meara went onto say that wedding vendors which have demonstrated the business skills and the determination to excel and exceed expectations are those who will continue to strive and thrive into the future in what is a fiercely competitive marketplace.
Which brought us to the official celebration, the exclusive 8th National Designer of Dreams Awards hosted on the 28th of March 2017 at The Star Gold Coast. Creative geniuses including Beautiful Weddings, Eufloria & Autumn Grove Events embellished the gala ballroom, galvanising the industry guests as the grand doors opened to what was magical occasion. The annual event is the destination which attracts wedding businesses from all around Australia recognising their merit as one of the nation's best wedding vendors.
Each business which qualifed as a Finalist or Winner received high quality reviews over the past 4 consecutive years, all achieving an average industry rating above 98%, motivating business owners and team members to continue setting standards for the Australian Wedding Industry. Congratulations to the brilliant Australian wedding industry for continuously designing dream weddings for the couples of Australia.
Showcasing Businesses at the Gala Dinner
Venue - The Star Gold Coast
Entertainment - Fiesta Creations
Ballroom Stylist - Beautiful Weddings
Floral Designer - Eufloria
Photo Booth - In The Booth
Candle Gifts - Dusk Australia
Giant Tree - Autumn Grove Events
Giant Letters - Event Letters
Bridal Gowns - Jordanna Regan Couture
Videographer - Bernadette Draffin Photography & Cinematographer
Photographer - Angelica Taguines Photography
Beauty Van - Lawdy Miss Claudy Glamour Van
DJ - VDV Professional Djs & Lighting
Live Music - Love Note Music
8TH NATIONAL DESIGNER OF DREAMS AWARDS RESULTS
| State | Award Category | Business Name | Ranking |
| VIC | 1st Night Honeymoon | The Portsea Hotel | No.1 |
| NSW | 1st Night Honeymoon | The Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa | No.2 |
| NSW | 1st Night Honeymoon | Newport Mirage | No.3 |
| VIC | Bomboniere | Designer Chocolates by Chocolate Works | No.1 |
| VIC | Bomboniere | Designer Candy | No.2 |
| VIC | Bomboniere | Groovy Glass - Vic | No.3 |
| NSW | Bridal Accessories | Viktoria Novak | No.1 |
| VIC | Bridal Accessories | Jeanette Maree | No.2 |
| NSW | Bridal Accessories | Bizzaro Bridal Couture | No.3 |
| SA | Bridal Accessories | Princess Collection | Top 5 |
| VIC | Bridal Gown Boutique | L'Amour Bridal Boutique | No.1 |
| VIC | Bridal Gown Boutique | Pretty Woman Bridalwear | No.2 |
| SA | Bridal Gown Boutique | Princess Collection | No.3 |
| NSW | Bridal Gown Boutique | Idora Bridal | Top 5 |
| NSW | Bridal Gown Boutique | Simple Elegance Boutique | Top 5 |
| NSW | Bridal Gown Boutique | Kel-Leigh Couture | Top 10 |
| VIC | Bridal Shoes | Mallouk Bridal Shoes | No.1 |
| VIC | Bridal Shoes | Jeanette Maree | No.2 |
| SA | Bridesmaid Gown | Princess Collection | No.1 |
| VIC | Bridesmaid Gown | Pretty Woman Bridalwear | No.2 |
| NSW | Bridesmaid Gown | Kel-Leigh Couture | No.3 |
| NSW | Bridesmaid Gown | Bizzaro Bridal Couture | Top 5 |
| QLD | Cake Design | A LITTLE CAKE PLACE | No.1 |
| SA | Cake Design | Heidelberg Cakes | No.2 |
| NSW | Cake Design | Project Cake | No.3 |
| VIC | Cake Design | NIKOS CAKES | Top 5 |
| QLD | Cake Design | Merivale Cakes and Crafts | Top 5 |
| VIC | Cake Design | Sweet Designs by Claire | Top 10 |
| VIC | Cake Design | Peninsula Cake Art | Top 10 |
| VIC | Cake Design | Ab Fab Cakes | Top 10 |
| SA | Cake Design | Lee's Cakes | Top 10 |
| QLD | Cake Design | Greg's Cake Decorating | Top 10 |
| QLD | Celebrant | I Do ... For You ! Tarnya Bennett | No.1 |
| VIC | Celebrant | Sally Hughes AMC | No.2 |
| QLD | Celebrant | Gwen Inglis CMC | No.3 |
| QLD | Celebrant | Bill Scurry CMC | Top 5 |
| QLD | Celebrant | A Summer's Celebration: Kim-maree Summers | Top 5 |
| NSW | Celebrant | Robyn Pattison CMC | Top 10 |
| NSW | Celebrant | Coral Kortlepel Beautiful Celebrations | Top 10 |
| NSW | Celebrant | Louise Spedding Celebrant | Top 10 |
| NSW | Celebrant | Gary Mooney Sydney Celebrant | Top 10 |
| QLD | Celebrant | Christine Smith - Perfectly Gorgeous | Top 10 |
| NSW | Celebrant | Victoria Langham CMC-A Beautiful Day | Top 15 |
| SA | Celebrant | Suzanne Price CMC | Top 15 |
| QLD | Celebrant | Caroline Jackson | Top 15 |
| VIC | Celebrant | Meriki Comito | Top 15 |
| VIC | Celebrant | Rita Cohann Melbourne Marriage Celebrant | Top 15 |
| QLD | Celebrant | Jennifer Cram CMC | Top 20 |
| VIC | Celebrant | David Schneider CMC | Top 20 |
| NSW | Celebrant | Fiona King CMC | Top 20 |
| SA | Celebrant | Ceremonies for Life and Love | Top 20 |
| WA | Celebrant | Dianne Waterton - Celebrant | Top 20 |
| NSW | Ceremony Music | Johnny Spitz Entertainment | No.1 |
| QLD | Ceremony Music | Naomi Terashima Harpist | No.2 |
| NSW | Ceremony Music | Anthony Hughes | Divine Productions | No.3 |
| SA | Ceremony Music | L'amour Vocal Ensemble | Top 5 |
| WA | Ceremony Music | Les Trois Amies | Top 5 |
| QLD | Ceremony Music | Sally Beaumont - Harpist | Top 10 |
| VIC | Ceremony Music | Pianist - Ben Martin | Top 10 |
| QLD | Ceremony Music | G&M Event Group | Top 10 |
| QLD | Ceremony Venue | Maleny Manor | No.1 |
| VIC | Ceremony Venue | Bram Leigh Receptions | No.2 |
| SA | Ceremony Venue | Utopia @ Waterfall Gully | No.3 |
| QLD | Ceremony Venue | Villa Botanica | Top 5 |
| NSW | Ceremony Venue | Bonville Golf Resort | Top 5 |
| SA | Ceremony Venue | Longview Vineyard | Top 10 |
| QLD | Ceremony Venue | The Courthouse Restaurant | Top 10 |
| VIC | Ceremony Venue | Zonzo Estate | Top 10 |
| QLD | Ceremony Venue | An Island Hideaway | Top 10 |
| VIC | Ceremony Venue | SkyHigh Mount Dandenong | Top 10 |
| QLD | Ceremony Venue | Eco Studio Fellini | Top15 |
| NSW | Ceremony Venue | Harrigans Irish Pub & Ibis Styles Harrington | Top15 |
| SA | Club Reception | Glenelg Golf Club | No.1 |
| NSW | Club Reception | Manly Golf Club | No.2 |
| QLD | Club Reception | Currumbin RSL Waterside Events | No.3 |
| QLD | Club Reception | Easts | Top 5 |
| NSW | Club Reception | St. Michael's Golf Club | Top 5 |
| SA | Club Reception | Renmark Club | Top 10 |
| NSW | Club Reception | Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club | Top 10 |
| QLD | Club Reception | The Surf Club Mooloolaba | Top 10 |
| QLD | Club Reception | Arundel Hills Country Club | Top 10 |
| SA | Club Reception | The Grange Golf Club | Top 10 |
| VIC | Designer/Couture Gown | Romeo Bastone Couture | No.1 |
| QLD | Designer/Couture Gown | Paddington Weddings - Bertossi Brides | No.2 |
| NSW | Designer/Couture Gown | Bizzaro Bridal Couture | No.3 |
| NSW | Designer/Couture Gown | Personalised Weddings Couture | Top 5 |
| VIC | Designer/Couture Gown | Catherine R Couture | Top 5 |
| QLD | Designer/Couture Gown | Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions | Top 10 |
| QLD | Disc Jockey | Explosive Entertainment | No.1 |
| QLD | Disc Jockey | G&M Event Group | No.2 |
| SA | Disc Jockey | Supreme Sound Mobile DJ | No.3 |
| NSW | Disc Jockey | Impression DJs | Top 5 |
| VIC | Disc Jockey | Bruce Harrison Events | Top 5 |
| QLD | Disc Jockey | NikNat Entertainment | Top 10 |
| NSW | Disc Jockey | DJ:Plus! Entertainment | Top 10 |
| VIC | Disc Jockey | DJ PeterD Entertainment Plus | Top 10 |
| QLD | Disc Jockey | Moove It DJ's | Top 10 |
| VIC | Disc Jockey | PHP Wedding DJs | Top 10 |
| NSW | Disc Jockey | Anthony Hughes | Divine Productions | Top 15 |
| SA | Disc Jockey | Adelaide Professional DJ's | Top 15 |
| QLD | Entertainment Agent | Graham Hobson Entertainment | No.1 |
| NSW | Entertainment Agent | EAO Entertainment | No.2 |
| NSW | Entertainment Agent | Hunter Valley Wedding Entertainment | No.3 |
| QLD | Floral Design | The Bella Bloom Co. | No.1 |
| VIC | Floral Design | Beachside Blooms | No.2 |
| QLD | Floral Design | Wedding Flowers by Keren | No.3 |
| VIC | Floral Design | Thrive Flowers & Events | Top 5 |
| NSW | Floral Design | Jade McIntosh Flowers | Top 5 |
| NSW | Floral Design | Joanne's Flowers Galore | Top 10 |
| NSW | Floral Design | Yeng Tan Floral Designer | Top 10 |
| WA | Floral Design | Willetton Wedding Flowers | Top 10 |
| WA | Floral Design | Sweet Pea Florist | Top 10 |
| NSW | Floral Design | Clementine and Rose (with Epping Floral Centre) | Top 10 |
| SA | Floral Design | In Bloom | Top 15 |
| VIC | Floral Design | Basia Puchalski Floral Design | Top 15 |
| VIC | Floral Design | I Do Flowers | Top 15 |
| SA | Function Coordinator | The Lakes Resort Hotel | No.1 |
| VIC | Function Coordinator | Bram Leigh Receptions | No.2 |
| QLD | Function Coordinator | Highfields Cultural Centre | No.3 |
| QLD | Function Coordinator | Maleny Manor | Top 5 |
| NSW | Function Coordinator | Harrigans Irish Pub & Ibis Styles Harrington | Top 5 |
| VIC | Function Coordinator | SkyHigh Mount Dandenong | Top 10 |
| QLD | Function Coordinator | Riverdeck Restaurant | Top 10 |
| VIC | Function Coordinator | Zonzo Estate | Top 10 |
| VIC | Function Coordinator | Leonda By The Yarra | Top 10 |
| NSW | Function Coordinator | Bonville Golf Resort | Top 10 |
| NSW | Function Coordinator | Dockside | Top 15 |
| SA | Function Coordinator | Longview Vineyard | Top 15 |
| NSW | Function Coordinator | L'Aqua | Top 15 |
| SA | Function Coordinator | Cindy's Classic Gourmet | Top 15 |
| QLD | Function Coordinator | Mercure Townsville | Top 15 |
| NSW | Grooms Fashion | Just For Him | No.1 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Evalyn Parsons Hair | No.1 |
| NSW | Hair Stylist | Carly Wood Mobile Wedding Hair Sydney | No.2 |
| VIC | Hair Stylist | DYEinVAIN Specialist in Bridal Hair Design | No.3 |
| VIC | Hair Stylist | Magical Makeovers | Top 5 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Rolling Scissors Mobile Hairdressing | Top 5 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Aleesha Darke - A Fashionable Hair Life | Top 10 |
| SA | Hair Stylist | Complete Look Hair & Beauty | Top 10 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Amanda Higl Hair & Make-up | Top 10 |
| VIC | Hair Stylist | Mobile Makeovers | Top 10 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Hair by Nicola | Top 10 |
| NSW | Hair Stylist | Le Fabulous | Top 15 |
| NSW | Hair Stylist | D'Makeup Station | Top 15 |
| NSW | Hair Stylist | Amy Chan Hair & Makeup Artistry | Top 15 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Makeup 4 Brides / Hair 4 Brides | Top 15 |
| NSW | Hair Stylist | Faces Makeup & Hair | Top 15 |
| VIC | Hair Stylist | De Ross Artistry | Top 20 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Lara Quinn Makeup Artist | Top 20 |
| QLD | Hair Stylist | Belladonna Brides | Top 20 |
| NSW | Hire | Events by Nadia | No.1 |
| NSW | Hire | Circle Of Love | No.2 |
| VIC | Hire | Event Perfection | No.3 |
| SA | Hire | Set Your Scene | Top 5 |
| QLD | Hire | Beautiful Weddings | Top 5 |
| NSW | Hire | Events by Jennifer | Top 10 |
| QLD | Hire | Beautiful Illusions | Top 10 |
| QLD | Hire | First Class Functions | Top 10 |
| QLD | Hire | Event Illusions | Top 10 |
| VIC | Hotel Reception | The Portsea Hotel | No.1 |
| VIC | Hotel Reception | The Brighton Savoy | No.2 |
| QLD | Hotel Reception | Mercure Townsville | No.3 |
| QLD | Hotel Reception | Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise | Top 5 |
| SA | Hotel Reception | The Playford | Top 5 |
| VIC | Independent Caterer | ACC Catering P/L | No.1 |
| SA | Independent Caterer | Cindy's Classic Gourmet | No.2 |
| VIC | Independent Caterer | MoreISH Catering | No.3 |
| VIC | Independent Caterer | Crystal Palace Catering | Top 5 |
| NSW | Independent Wedding Consultant | Circle Of Love | No.1 |
| SA | Independent Wedding Consultant | Cindy's Classic Gourmet | No.2 |
| NSW | Independent Wedding Consultant | Couture Wedding Planning | No.3 |
| QLD | Independent Wedding Consultant | A Fabulous Event Planning Services | Top 5 |
| NSW | Independent Wedding Consultant | Bells N Whistles Events | Top 5 |
| WA | Independent Wedding Consultant | Jody Q Weddings | Top 10 |
| QLD | Independent Wedding Consultant | First Class Functions | Top 10 |
| QLD | Independent Wedding Consultant | Coast to Country Wedding and Events | Top 10 |
| VIC | Jewellery Fashion | Jeanette Maree | No.1 |
| NSW | Jewellery Fashion | Bizzaro Bridal | No.2 |
| SA | Jewellery Fashion | Princess Collection | No.3 |
| VIC | Jewellery Fashion | Romeo Bastone Couture | Top 5 |
| NSW | Live Band/Group | Vibe Wedding Band | No.1 |
| NSW | Live Band/Group | Johnny Spitz | No.2 |
| QLD | Live Band/Group | Graham Hobson Entertainment | No.3 |
| VIC | Live Band/Group | INKASOUNDS | Top 5 |
| VIC | Live Band/Group | Melbourne Acoustic Duo | Top 5 |
| WA | Live Band/Group | The Dinner Singer | Top 10 |
| NSW | Live Band/Group | Anthony Hughes | Divine Productions | Top 10 |
| VIC | Live Band/Group | The Bombastics | Top 10 |
| QLD | Make-up Artist | Lara Quinn Makeup Artist | No.1 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | Ann Hassarati Makeup | No.2 |
| QLD | Make-up Artist | Amanda Higl Hair & Make-up | No.3 |
| VIC | Make-up Artist | Magical Makeovers | Top 5 |
| SA | Make-up Artist | Complete Look Hair & Beauty | Top 5 |
| VIC | Make-up Artist | Mobile Makeovers | Top 10 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | Amanda La Monica -Makeup Artist/Bridal Specialist | Top 10 |
| VIC | Make-up Artist | Blush Makeup Artistry | Top 10 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | Le Fabulous | Top 10 |
| QLD | Make-up Artist | KJ Artistry | Top 10 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | D'Makeup Station | Top 15 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | Empire Artistries | Top 15 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | Amy Chan Hair & Makeup Artistry | Top 15 |
| NSW | Make-up Artist | Faces Makeup & Hair | Top 15 |
| NSW | Master of Ceremonies | DJ:Plus! Entertainment | No.1 |
| QLD | Master of Ceremonies | G&M Event Group | No.2 |
| VIC | Master of Ceremonies | DJ PeterD Entertainment Plus | No.3 |
| VIC | Master of Ceremonies | Bruce Harrison Events | Top 5 |
| QLD | Master of Ceremonies | Moove It DJ's | Top 5 |
| VIC | Master of Ceremonies | PHP Wedding DJs | Top 10 |
| NSW | Master of Ceremonies | Johnny Spitz Entertainment | Top 10 |
| SA | Master of Ceremonies | Supreme Sound Mobile DJ | Top 10 |
| VIC | Photography | A Touch Of Flash Photography | No.1 |
| VIC | Photography | Mark Dayman Photography | No.2 |
| QLD | Photography | Emma Nayler Photographer | No.3 |
| VIC | Photography | Bright Eyes Photography | Top 5 |
| NSW | Photography | Studio Zanetti | Top 5 |
| QLD | Photography | Mills Photography | Top 10 |
| NSW | Photography | Sue Taylor Photography | Top 10 |
| VIC | Photography | Iain and Jo | We tell love stories | Top 10 |
| QLD | Photography | Papillon Studio | Top 10 |
| VIC | Photography | Mark Teague Photography | Top 10 |
| QLD | Photography | Diana Wakeham Photography | Top 15 |
| VIC | Reception Centre | Bram Leigh Receptions | No.1 |
| QLD | Reception Centre | Maleny Manor | No.2 |
| QLD | Reception Centre | Villa Botanica | No.3 |
| QLD | Reception Centre | Eco Studio Fellini | Top 5 |
| NSW | Reception Centre | Dockside | Top 5 |
| NSW | Reception Centre | L'Aqua | Top 10 |
| SA | Reception Centre | Longview Vineyard | Top 10 |
| VIC | Reception Centre | Leonda By The Yarra | Top 10 |
| VIC | Reception Centre | Merrimu Receptions | Top 10 |
| QLD | Reception Centre | An Island Hideaway | Top 10 |
| SA | Reception Centre | Adelaide Pavilion | Top 15 |
| VIC | Reception Centre | The Sovereign | Top 15 |
| VIC | Reception Centre | Meadowbank | Top 15 |
| QLD | Reception Centre | Albert River Wines | Top 15 |
| VIC | Reception Centre | Table Matters @Emu Bottom Homestead | Top 15 |
| NSW | Resort/Motel Reception | Bonville Golf Resort | No.1 |
| SA | Resort/Motel Reception | The Lakes Resort Hotel | No.2 |
| VIC | Resort/Motel Reception | RACV Cape Schanck Resort | No.3 |
| QLD | Resort/Motel Reception | Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts | Top 5 |
| NSW | Resort/Motel Reception | Chateau Elan at The Vintage | Top 5 |
| VIC | Restaurant Reception | Zonzo Estate | No.1 |
| QLD | Restaurant Reception | The Waterfront Restaurant | No.2 |
| SA | Restaurant Reception | Utopia @ Waterfall Gully | No.3 |
| QLD | Restaurant Reception | The Courthouse Restaurant | Top 5 |
| QLD | Restaurant Reception | Riverdeck Restaurant | Top 5 |
| VIC | Restaurant Reception | SkyHigh Mount Dandenong | Top 10 |
| NSW | Restaurant Reception | Wolfies Grill Restaurant | Top 10 |
| NSW | Rings | Williams The Jewellers | No.1 |
| SA | Rings | DDS Diamond Design Studios | No.2 |
| QLD | Special Services | In the Booth | No.1 |
| VIC | Special Services | In the Booth VIC | No.2 |
| VIC | Special Services | Nic's Button Buds | No.3 |
| VIC | Special Services | Simply Rose Petals - VIC | Top 5 |
| SA | Special Services | In the Booth SA | Top 5 |
| NSW | Special Services | In the Booth NSW | Top 10 |
| VIC | Special Services | Groovy Glass - Vic | Top 10 |
| NSW | Special Services | Impact AV | Top 10 |
| NSW | Stationery | Fine Invitations | No.1 |
| NSW | Stationery | Creative Escapade | No.2 |
| VIC | Stationery | Invitations etc | No.3 |
| NSW | Stationery | Essentric | Top 5 |
| SA | Stationery | Quick Creations | Top 5 |
| NSW | Stationery | The Invitation Studio | Top 10 |
| QLD | Stationery | Cloud Nine Weddings | Top 10 |
| NSW | Stationery | SAJARO Invitations | Top 10 |
| NSW | Transport | I Do Wedding Cars | No.1 |
| VIC | Transport | Triple R Luxury Car Hire | No.2 |
| QLD | Transport | Tic Tac Tours & Premier Limousines | No.3 |
| VIC | Transport | Enrik Limousines | Top 5 |
| SA | Transport | Classic Jags | Top 5 |
| QLD | Transport | Limoso Luxury Transport | Top 10 |
| NSW | Transport | 7th Heaven Wedding Cars | Top 10 |
| NSW | Transport | Openair Wedding Cars | Top 10 |
| SA | Transport | Chevrolet Impalas of Adelaide | Top 10 |
| QLD | Transport | Noosa V.I.P. Limousines | Top 10 |
| VIC | Video Production | Allure Productions | No.1 |
| VIC | Video Production | Stu Art Video Productions | No.2 |
| SA | Video Production | I Do Cinema | No.3 |
| VIC | Video Production | Life in Motion | Top 5 |
| QLD | Video Production | Playback Studios | Top 5 |
| QLD | Video Production | All Your Memories | Top 10 |
| NSW | Video Production | MTW Production | Top 10 |
| QLD | Wedding Stylist | Beautiful Weddings | No.1 |
| NSW | Wedding Stylist | Events by Nadia | No.2 |
| VIC | Wedding Stylist | Event Perfection | No.3 |
| SA | Wedding Stylist | Set Your Scene | Top 5 |
| NSW | Wedding Stylist | Affections Wedding & Event Hire | Top 5 |
| QLD | Wedding Stylist | Cloud Nine Weddings | Top 10 |
| VIC | Wedding Stylist | Beachside Blooms | Top 10 |
| VIC | Wedding Stylist | Thrive Flowers & Events | Top 10 |
| QLD | Wedding Stylist | Beautiful Illusions | Top 10 |
| QLD | Wedding Stylist | Event Illusions | Top 10 |
| NSW | Wedding Stylist | Events by Jennifer | Top 15 |
| QLD | Wedding Stylist | A Fabulous Event Planning Services | Top 15 |
