HOW IT WORKS

Frequently Asked Questions – Australian Wedding Awards™

Your complete guide to understanding eligibility, judging, participation and event requirements.

AUSTRALIAN WEDDING AWARDS™

If a business has engaged with the Wedding Industry Awards™ in their Region and participated in
the Virtual Awards Presentation then became a PODIUM FINISHER (#1 WINNER or #2 HIGHLY
COMMENDED or TOP3*) in their Category, within their Region the business then automatically
becomes a FINALIST in the Australian Wedding Awards™

Every business that is a PODIUM FINISHER and FINALIST in the Australian Wedding Awards™ receives a Generic FINALIST Logo ROUNDEL with an invitation to Pre- Register and once the business has Pre-Registered, they will then receive a secondary invitation to be part of the LIVE GALA EVENT or LIVE VIDEO FEED to participate in the current year Australian Wedding Awards™ Gala Presentation Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

The Australian Wedding Awards™ are conducted yearly with a culmination of PODIUM FINISHERS (#1 WINNER or #2 HIGHLY COMMENDED or TOP3*) in their Category, within their Region the business then automatically becomes a FINALIST in the Australian Wedding Awards™ from over Thirty (30)

Wedding Industry Award™ Regions across Australia.

Albury Wodonga, N.E. Victoria & Riverina (AWNEVR)
Ballarat and Bendigo (BB)
Brisbane (BRIS)
Canberra, Southern Tablelands & Snowy (CBR)
Capricorn Coast & Central Queensland (CCCQ)
Central Coast (CC)
Central West (CW)
Geelong & Surf Coast (GSC)
Gippsland & Phillip Island (GPI)
Gold Coast, Scenic Rim & Byron Bay (GCSRBB)
Greater Melbourne (GMELB)
Greater Sydney (GSYD)
Hunter Valley & Newcastle (HVN)
Illawarra & Southern Highlands (ILLSH)
Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers (MNCNR)
Northern Territory (NT)
Northwest & New England (NWNE)
Shepparton, Echuca & Swan Hill (SESH)
Shoalhaven & South Coast (SSC)
South Australia SA)
Southern Queensland Country (SQC)
Sunshine Coast & Hinterland (SCH)
Tasmania (TAS)
Tropical North Queensland (TNQ)
Western Australia (WA)
Western Sydney & Blue Mountains (WSBM)
Wide Bay & Burnett (WBB)
Whitsundays & Mackay (WHIT)
Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges (YVDR)

There is NO VOTING by Newlyweds, this was captured through Wedding Industry Awards™ in your Region.

Those Businesses that Pre-Registered within the prescribed time frame (RSVP Date) will have a 100PLUS Business Audit undertaken of their business to investigate the effective presentation of the business, user friendliness and functionality of their Website + Social Media. In other words, Good Business Practices.

The 100PLUS Business Audit is provided to you following the Australian Wedding Awards™ as a comprehensive SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats). It is specifically designed to help you refine your operations, enhance performance, and build a stronger, more resilient business future — because we understand how challenging it can be to work on your business while you’re busy working in it.

What is Pre-Registration for the Australian Wedding Awards?

The purpose of Pre-Registration is to firstly identify that the PODIUM FINISHER will be participating at the Australian Wedding Awards™ either by attending the LIVE Event or LIVE Video Feed.

Secondly, it flags to undertake the 100PLUS Buisness Audit. The business audit is used in the adjudication of the Australian Wedding Awards.

If a Business opts to not participate in the Australian Wedding Awards™, then they remain a FINALIST and no further action and acknowledgement will take place.

Does Pre-Registration give a Business access to the LIVE Event or LIVE Video Feed?

NO, it only identifies that the Business requires a 100PLUS Business Audit and may be considered as part of the Australian Wedding Awards™ on the proviso that the Business Registers for the LIVE Event or LIVE Video Feed.

Without Pre-Registration in the current year Australian Wedding Awards™ a business will remain a FINALIST:

You will NOT receive a 100PLUS Business Audit.
You will NOT be considered a participant in the current year Australian Wedding Awards™
You will ONLY receive the Generic Finalist Roundel (no additional marketing collateral).

With a Business Pre-Registering but and NO secondary Registration for the Live Event or LIVE Video Feed a business will remain a FINALIST and:

WILL receive a 100PLUS Business Audit.
Will NOT be considered a participant in the Australian Wedding Awards™
Will ONLY receive the Generic Finalist Roundel (no additional marketing collateral).

A Business with Pre-Registration and Registration for the Live Event or LIVE Video Feed the business will:

RECEIVE a 100PLUS Business Audit.
Be CONSIDERED a participant in the Australian Wedding Awards™
RECEIVE Personalise Digital Marketing Collateral along with an Acrylic Plaque.

When do Registrations Open?

If a business is PODIUM FINISHER (#1 WINNER or #2 HIGHLY COMMENDED or TOP3*) in their Category, within their Region the business automatically becomes a FINALIST in the Australian Wedding Awards™

Commencing at the end of June each year, Registered PODIUM FINISHERS of Wedding Industry Awards™ across the 30 Wedding Regions of Australia will receive emails confirming that they are FINALISTS in the current year’s Australian Wedding Awards™.

They will be invited to pre-register for the Australian Wedding Awards™ and receive a Generic FINALIST Digital Roundel to assist their business to promote as a FINALIST in the Australian Wedding Awards™.

When do Nominations Close?

End of June each year PODIUM FINISHER businesses that have successfully participated in their regions Wedding Industry Awards™ will receive an invitation to Pre-Register for the current year Australian Wedding Awards.

There is a two (2) week window to pre- register to confirm their participation in the Australian Wedding Awards. During this time, you will receive six (6) emails seeking businesses support for the event. If a business does not pre-register it WILL NOT receive an invitation to participate in the LIVE Event or LIVE Video Feed for the Australian Wedding Awards™.

Once a Business accepts the invitation and purchases ticket for each Category that they are a FINALIST there is no further action required by the Business, until the Gala Dinner.

From the time that a Business is acknowledged via email to being a FINALIST they have ten (10) days to Register / Purchase Tickets, so that The 100PLUS Business Audit can be scheduled.

Each Registered FINALIST will also be Tagged on http://www.facebook.com/AustralianWeddingAwards

What is the Judging Process?

There is NO Judging or Voting process by Newlyweds. This was undertaken in the Regional Wedding Industry Awards™. Once a FINALIST Pre-Registers to be part of the Australian Wedding Awards in their selected Categories, we initiate the 100PLUS Business Audit.

We undertake ONE 100PLUS Business Audit for all the categories that the business registers. In other words, the one score is shared across all Categories.

What are the Wedding Business Categories?

There are over Seventy (70) Typical Categories:

Beauty Therapist & Treatments
Boutique Wedding Accommodation
Bridal Accessories
Bridal Gown Alterations
Bridal Gown Boutique
Bridal Gown Couture’
Bridal Gown Designer
Bridal Hair & MakeUp
Bridal HairStylist
Bridal MakeUp Artist
Bridesmaids & Formalwear
Buck & Hens
Caravans, Trucks, Carts & Bars
Civil Marriage Celebrant
Civil Marriage Celebrant / MC
Dance Studio
Day Spa
Decorator & Stylist
Elopements & Intimate Weddings
Entertainment Services
Event Hire
Health & Fitness
Hotel Wedding Accommodation
Jeweller
Live Entertainment
Marriage Proposals
Master of Ceremonies
PhotoBooth
Picnics, Grazing Tables & Platters
Suits & Formalwear
Suits & Formalwear Alterations
Wedding Cake Designer
Wedding Caterer
Wedding Ceremony Location
Wedding Collaborators
Wedding Content Creator
Wedding DJ
Wedding DJ / MC
Wedding Florist
Wedding Photographer
Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Wedding Planner & Coordinator
Wedding Services
Wedding Stationery
Wedding Transport
Wedding Venue – 4-5 Star Hotel
Wedding Venue – 6 Star Hotel
Wedding Venue – Beach
Wedding Venue – Boutique
Wedding Venue – Boutique Hotel
Wedding Venue – Boutique Winery
Wedding Venue – Community Hall
Wedding Venue – Coordinator
Wedding Venue – DIY
Wedding Venue – ECO
Wedding Venue – Farm & Country
Wedding Venue – Function Centre
Wedding Venue – Garden
Wedding Venue – Golf & Country Club
Wedding Venue – Historic
Wedding Venue – Historic Winery
Wedding Venue – Licenced Club
Wedding Venue – Resort Hotel
Wedding Venue – Restaurant
Wedding Venue – Surf Club
Wedding Venue – Unique
Wedding Venue – Waterfront
Wedding Venue – Winery
Wedding Videographer

What are the Australian Wedding Awards™ Social Media Pages + Website?

https://www.facebook.com/AWAWeddingAwards

https://www.instagram.com/australianweddingawards/

http://www.AustralianWeddingAwards.au

When are #1 WINNERS Announced?

The WINNERS and Recipients are announced at the prestigious Australian Wedding Awards™– Black Tie, Red Carpet, Gala Presentation & Networking Evening conducted in January of the new year for the preceding year…

Are only WINNERS announced?

#1 WINNERS for each Category specific to the PODIUM FINISHERS that have registered for the LIVE Event or LIVE Video Feed will be announced and receive their Acrylic Plaques on stage or via Mail for those that Live Video Fed.

There are also Australian Wedding Awards™ for:

#2 Highly Commended

TOP3*

TOP5*

TOP10*

TOP15*

TOP20*

How are the Australian Wedding Awards™ undertaken?

Businesses that have participated in the Wedding Industry Awards™ within their Region and finished on the Podium (#1 Winner, #2 Highly Commended or Top 3*) automatically qualify as FINALISTS in the Australian Wedding Awards™.

Every FINALIST receives a Generic Finalist Logo Roundel and an invitation to Pre-Register. Once Pre-Registered, the business is invited to participate in the current year’s LIVE Gala Event or LIVE Video Feed of the Australian Wedding Awards™ Presentation Dinner.

What is the Australian Wedding Awards™ Pre-Registration for?

Pre-Registration serves three (3) essential purposes:

100PLUS Business Audit

Identifies that your business has opted into the 100PLUS Business Audit, which is used to adjudicate the Australian Wedding Awards™. There is NO voting — businesses are judged on good business practices.

Participation Confirmation

Indicates whether your business will participate in the Awards by attending either the LIVE Red-Carpet Gala Event or the LIVE Video Feed.

Your 100PLUS Business Audit (Post-Awards)

Every Pre-Registered business receives a comprehensive 100PLUS Business Audit after the Awards.
This includes a detailed SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) designed to:

refine operations
improve performance
identify opportunities
strengthen long-term business resilience

We recognise it’s challenging to work on your business while you’re busy working in it — this report is built to HELP.

What if my Business does NOT Pre-Register?

You will remain a FINALIST; however:

You will NOT receive a 100PLUS Business Audit.
You will NOT be considered a participant in the Australian Wedding Awards™
You will ONLY receive the Generic Finalist Roundel (no additional marketing collateral).

Do I need to attend the Australian Wedding Awards™ event to receive an Award?

The Wedding Industry Awards™ across Australia’s 30+ regions are virtual due to scale.

The Australian Wedding Awards™, however, is the LIVE, Red-Carpet, Black-Tie Gala Event celebrating the nation’s highest level of excellence.

To receive Personalised Marketing Collateral and your Acrylic Plaque, you must:

Participate in the LIVE Event OR LIVE Video Feed, and
Purchase a Ticket for each Category you wish to engage in

Example:
If your business is a Wedding Venue AND a Finalist in Wedding Venue Coordinator → you must purchase two (2) Tickets, which also provides two seats at the Gala.

If I do not engage with the Australian Wedding Awards™, can I still be considered for an Award?

NO!!
Unlike the Wedding Industry Awards™, there is NO facility for post-registration.

Regional Podium Finishers who:

Do not Pre-Register, or
Do not RSVP by the deadline

Forfeit their eligibility to receive an Australian Wedding Award™.

Is there a Virtual Presentation of the Live Event?

YES!!
We understand some businesses may not be able to attend the Live Gala.

A LIVE Video Feed is available for those who:

Pre-Register
Register for the Video Feed
Purchase a Ticket for each Category they wish to engage in

The same participation process applies as attending in person.

What is the Dress Code for the Australian Wedding Awards™ Gala Dinner?

The Australian Wedding Awards™ is a Red-Carpet, Black-Tie Gala Event.

Dress Expectations:

Women: Cocktail or After-5 attire
Men: Black Tie (Dinner Suit)

A special Award – “Best Dressed Couple” – is presented at the Face-to-Face Gala Event.

Is there a limit on the number of Tickets we can purchase?

Minimum: 1 Ticket per Category / Business
Maximum: No limit

We encourage you to bring your team members and associates who contributed to your success.

If we cannot attend after purchasing Tickets, can we get a refund?

Tickets are Non-Refundable as outlined on Humanitix.

However:

Tickets can be transferred to another person, OR
We can reassign them to the LIVE Video Feed

What Business Category will my Business be placed in?

Your category will match your category from the Wedding Industry Awards™.
If you were a Podium Finisher (#1 Winner, #2 Highly Commended or Top 3*), you automatically become a FINALIST in that same category.

How are the Australian Wedding Awards™ Category’s selected?

Selection of Business Categories is undertaken during the Regional Wedding Industry Awards™.

There are two (2) main initiatives used to allocate Category/s to a Business:

When a business is Nominated by Newlyweds in the Regional Wedding Industry Awards™, we review the Businesses Website and Social Media to identify Categorys.
A business can request a Category or group of Categories, but we undertake due diligence to ensure that they are a part of that Category.

How are the Australian Wedding Awards™ Judged?

There is NO voting at the Australian Wedding Awards™ level.

Voting already took place during the Regional Wedding Industry Awards™.

Judging is conducted solely through the 100PLUS Business Audit, which assesses:

Website presentation
User experience & functionality
Social media presence
Overall business professionalism
Compliance with good business practices

All Pre-Registered businesses receive their 100PLUS Business Audit after the Awards — your personalised SWOT Analysis to support future growth and improvement.

Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability