LET’S TALK ABOUT THE “SCAM AWARDS” — THE SHINY BADGES THAT CAN COME WITH A PRICE TAG 🏆😂
Apparently I wandered into the wedding-industry version of the Logies this week…
Nobody told me.
And WORSE…
I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A DRESS TO WEAR. 😱👗😂
Which, considering I’m a bloody wedding dress designer, is frankly embarrassing.
If this had been a genuine awards-night situation, I would have made an ENTRANCE.
I’d have hooked Mia up to a carriage, climbed into the back with a raspberry lemonade in one hand and Maltesers in the other, and arrived in true Wedding Dress Fairy Godmother style wearing something straight out of a Disney Princess movie on steroids. 🐴👑🧚♀️✨
I’d have stepped out like Cinderella…
Except Cinderella didn’t have a husband who hates mess yelling:
“DON’T GET CHOCOLATE ON THE BLOODY DRESS!” 😂
But I digress.
So, why did I start looking into wedding awards?
I recently received an email about the Wedding Industry Awards™ – Southern Queensland Country Finalists.
Naturally, I asked:
“Am I a finalist? If so, who nominated me?”
I was subsequently told votes had been received for my business, but I had not actually qualified as a finalist.
So basically…
🏆 CONGRATULATIONS BECKY!
On absolutely nothing. 😂
No trophy. No red carpet. No carriage. No Mia. No Maltesers.
AND I STILL DIDN’T HAVE A BLOODY DRESS.
Naturally, the Wedding Dress Fairy Godmother started investigating. 🧐🧚♀️
And this is where I personally started referring to this sort of thing as the “scam awards” marketing model.
Let me be very clear about what I mean.
I am not saying businesses pay to receive votes or buy a winning result.
Wedding Industry Awards’ own published information says there is no cost for a business to be nominated, receive votes, qualify as a finalist or be publicly announced as a winner or recipient.
However, it also offers optional paid packages for personalised marketing collateral and trademark licensing. Its current FAQ lists packages of $192.50 or $385 plus booking fees per category. Businesses that don’t purchase these packages can still receive recognition, but do not receive certain personalised collateral, trademark licensing rights or physical awards/plaques. (Wedding Industry Awards)
And that's the bit that doesn't interest me.
If I need to reach for my credit card to get the shiny official stuff that helps tell everybody how fabulous I am…
I’LL PASS. 😂💳🏆
But here’s where it gets serious.
Brides, please don't choose a wedding vendor simply because their website is covered in shiny award badges.
An award may tell you something about that particular awards process.
It doesn't necessarily tell you everything you need to know about the business.
And there is a real-world example of why that distinction matters.
The Andres & Co example
NSW Fair Trading says it received 68 complaints relating to Andres & Co and issued a public warning in December 2024.
Following a Fair Trading investigation, Emily Jayne Andres of Andres & Co was convicted in 2025 of 15 breaches of Australian Consumer Law relating to accepting payments and failing to supply goods or services in time or at all.
The court imposed $48,250 in fines and ordered $51,760 in compensation for affected couples. (NSW Government)
The business had also previously been the subject of an A Current Affair report about couples' complaints and the NSW Fair Trading warning. (9Now)
That does not mean an awards organisation caused, approved or endorsed another business's conduct.
But for me, it raises an important question every bride should ask when she sees an award badge:
WHAT DOES THIS BADGE ACTUALLY VERIFY?
Wedding Industry Awards says its finalists are selected according to nominations and votes from newlywed couples, with businesses needing at least 20 votes and a maximum of 20 finalists in each category. Its published process also describes particular validation procedures where voting numbers appear exceptional. (Wedding Industry Awards)
That's useful information.
But it's also why couples need to understand the difference between winning an award under a particular voting system and a comprehensive background or regulatory check of a business.
They aren't necessarily the same thing.
A badge doesn't make a brilliant vendor brilliant.
THEIR WORK DOES.
And I’m absolutely NOT having a crack at the fantastic wedding vendors who participate in awards.
There are bloody brilliant photographers, celebrants, florists, venues, cake makers, designers and other suppliers involved.
The wedding industry is brutally competitive.
Businesses are constantly being offered another directory, advertisement, badge, marketing package or shiny thing we're told will help us get booked.
Marketing pressure is real.
But when you're choosing the people who will be trusted with one of the biggest days of your life, look beyond the badge.
Choose your vendor because:
❤️ Their work makes you scream OMG I NEED THEM.
❤️ Their real couples love them.
❤️ Their reviews speak for themselves.
❤️ You connect with them as a human being.
❤️ They communicate with you.
❤️ You've done your own research.
❤️ You TRUST THEM WITH YOUR WEDDING.
Meanwhile, at A Bride To Be…
Apparently you should choose your wedding dress designer because your appointment may also involve animals. 😂
🐶 Bring your dog Wendy and she can meet my puppies while we design your dream wedding dress.
🐠 You'll be supervised by four judgemental fighter fish in my design room.
🐦 Mr & Mrs Peewee may appear at the window and scream at us until somebody produces their cat biscuits.
So your bespoke wedding dress appointment may include:
👗 Designing your dream wedding dress
🐶 Puppy introductions
🐠 Four judgemental fighter fish
🐦 Two demanding Australian peewees
🍪 Emergency distribution of cat biscuits
Apparently this is how haute couture operates in Toowoomba. 😂🧚♀️
And as for awards?
I'll let my brides, my dresses and my reviews be mine.
My favourite trophy will always be receiving the message:
“BECKY!!!! MY DRESS!!!!! 😭❤️”
That'll do me.
Although, for the record…
If somebody ever DOES invite me to a genuine awards night:
MIA'S GETTING THE CARRIAGE.
I'm bringing the raspberry lemonade.
I'm bringing the Maltesers.
And you can bet your arse…
THIS TIME I'LL HAVE A BLOODY DRESS. 👗🐴👑😂
Becky – The Wedding Dress Fairy Godmother
A Bride To Be – Dare To Be Different
