In it to win it!!! (aka entering for an award)
So it’s no secret that I went out to a bit of a ‘Do’ last night and came home with this bad boy!!!
TWIA National Winner Celebrant of the Year 2019
I was and remain gobsmacked...totally convinced someone else had won it until my name was read out, my hubby said my face was an absolute picture of shock and delight ! (thankfully no picture exist to verify this statement!)
What a night! It really was a blast, dressed up and ready to party at the Café de Paris, who knew what delights were about to unfold...but as usual the TWIA team pulled it out of the bag. Fun with a glass of fizz to greet us, an amazing live band (previous winners The Funtime Frankies) acrobats and lots of very excited wedding industry peeps...
The team kept us fed and watered, the bowl food was delicious ( after a very late running train and missing the pre arranged dinner with the other celebrants we were bloomin’ hungry!) and then it was on to the awards themselves...
oooh look there’s our Claire!
Damian, one of the TWIA founders did a very good job of hosting the evening and keeping us all in order...
The problem with celebrants is...when you get us in a room together we are quite loud...add a bit of alcohol to the mix and we get even louder...make us wait for the Celebrant of the Year award...and we get louder still...tucked away at the back in one of the booths we were having a raucous time!
I feel honoured to have been in the company of such an epic collection of ladies ( and a couple of husbands too), all at the top their game, winners in their own right and all so supportive...It wouldn't have mattered who won, the hugs and squeals of delight would have been as fierce and as loud, because that support is second to none!
gorgeous girlies on the toon
And then almost as soon as it had begun the awards were over, excited interview given and photos taken and time for a quick boogie with the girlies before Kev and I had to traipse across town to catch the last train home...IT WAS A TRULY BRILLIANT NIGHT!
So what about being in it to win it...
Apart from getting to enjoy a fabulous night to two out with industry peers, networking and in some instances catching up with old friends; we are continuing to raise the profile of celebrants the world over when we enter prestigious awards. (They don't have to be at a national level, they can be county or regional awards). It really matters not, what DOES matter is spreading the word about celebrants. If we are out there, making a name for ourselves as a collective (or as I like to say a ‘celebration’) more and more couples and families will become aware of us and start to use us for their own celebrations.
It’s simple really...you have to be in it to win it!
WIN recognition about the services celebrants offer!
WIN industry recognition ...venues especially, if they are at the awards and they see and hear what a celebrant can offer, we’ll get far more leads as a result!
WIN awards, and let’s face it ...who doesn't like a shiny award on their cabinet?!
the certificate and trophy collection is growing ( other trophies just out of sight)
And then obviously you get to share the fun and the delight with colleagues from near and far.
Yes there is a cost implication with most of the awards, but think about the benefits that will follow should you win...
My regional win last year gave me the confidence to totally rebrand...and as a result of that I have had the kind of couples that I really want to work with booking me, some without even speaking to me...they were THAT keen!
couples = reviews = enter an award = rebrand = confidence = couples = award = more couples!
Everyone really does benefit!
So what are you waiting for?
TWIA20 will be open for business before you know it! Along with so many other awards, all you need to do is decide which one(s) you want to go for and enter you really haven't got anything to lose!
with Jane Blackman, Highly commended award winner
