Every year, usually in the late autumn through to early spring, Ireland’s wedding industry enters an exciting period known as wedding awards season. During this time, venues, suppliers, planners, photographers, celebrants and others are eligible for nominations, shortlists and ultimately the winning of awards that recognise excellence in various categories — from “Best Historic Venue”, “Best Intimate Wedding Venue”, to “Overall Venue of the Year”, “Sustainable Venue”, etc.
Some of the marquee awards include:
The WeddingsOnline Awards — a long-standing set of awards that acknowledge excellence across the whole Irish wedding supplier spectrum.
The National Wedding Industry Awards by Weddingsuppliers.ie / IHF — which are free to enter and emphasise fairness in judging.
SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards — focused especially on wedding venues, often with many categories to cater for different styles, sizes, and preferences.
Why It Matters
1. Credibility & Trust
For suppliers and venues, winning (or being shortlisted) is more than just a trophy. It’s a stamp of approval. Couples often look for reassurance when planning their big day, and seeing that a venue or vendor has been recognised by a respected award can be a deciding factor. For instance, winners of WeddingsOnline report increases in enquiries and customer trust after an award win.
2. Marketing & Visibility
Awards generate publicity: winners and finalists get featured in press outlets, social media, and on aggregator and supplier platforms. That kind of exposure is difficult to buy and highly valuable. For new or smaller suppliers especially, even making the shortlist can bring new leads.
3. Benchmarking & Improvement
The nomination and judging process encourages businesses to reflect on their service, standards, presentation, and innovation. For many, the process leads to improvements — better customer service, sustainable practices, or unique touches — to stand out.
4. Trend-spotting & Innovation
Through awards season, you also see what’s trending: sustainable weddings, boutique/alternative venues, eco-friendly décor, outdoor venues, dog-friendly spots, intimate weddings, etc. The awards categories often respond to changing couple preferences and wider social trends. For example, in recent years, venues focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly practices have gained more attention.
The Vendors’ & Couples’ Perspective
From the supplier side, preparing for awards means ensuring you have strong visuals, client testimonials, consistent branding, evidence of service quality, and often pushing to innovate. It can be time-intensive, particularly if there are entry fees, photography/video requirements, etc. But many consider this an investment: even being nominated can bring long-term dividends.
From the couple’s perspective, watching the awards can help narrow down options, inspire ideas (venues, décor, themes), and provide confidence. It helps couples see what venues or suppliers are being recognised, which often translates into reliability and quality. However, it’s also wise to visit and experience a venue or supplier in person — an award is helpful, but compatibility, service, and fit for your wedding day remain paramount.
What’s New / What to Watch
More emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly weddings. Couples are increasingly expecting reduced environmental impact, local sourcing, less waste. Venues highlighting these aspects often gain positive attention.
Diversification of categories — to include “best intimate weddings”, “alternative venues”, “dog-friendly”, “winter weddings”, etc., reflecting that weddings aren’t one-size-fits-all anymore.
Conclusion
Wedding Awards Season in Ireland isn’t just a time for glamour and celebration — it’s a significant pulse check for the wedding sector. It rewards excellence, pushes innovation, and provides guidance for couples embarking on their planning journey. For vendors, it offers exposure and a chance to raise standards; for couples, it’s a source of inspiration and reassurance.
If you’re involved in weddings (supplier, venue, planner, or couple), paying attention to the awards season — nominations, winners, what people are doing — can offer real value. Keep tabs on the key awards, see who is winning and why, and let that inform your choices or how you present yourself.