Australia · Est. 2026 · Not For Profit

Melbourne Wedding Vendor Awards

Recognising the wedding industry's finest

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Who We Are

We're a handful of wedding vendors from around Victoria who got tired of watching genuinely outstanding work go unrecognised.

MWVA exists to celebrate outstanding work by Melbourne and Victoria-based vendors, judged by people who actually work in those fields — not by a popularity contest. No entry fees. No pay-to-win path to a trophy. Just genuine recognition, from vendors, for vendors.

Our inaugural class

2026 Winners

Lachlan Chatfield

Photographer of the Year

Recognised for his laid-back energy, beautiful candid photography and ability to capture couples naturally in the moment, while creating spectacular wide portraits against incredible landscapes. Couples loved how effortlessly he blended into the day, capturing the moments that felt genuine alongside the big, breathtaking images.

Jamie Ross

Videographer of the Year

Recognised for his documentary-style filming, romantic story-driven wedding films and incredible attention to detail, all while bringing a calm and reassuring presence to the wedding day. Couples loved how naturally he captured the feeling of their day, creating films that felt worthy of the big screen.

Ben Downing

DJ of the Year

Recognised for his approachable character, ability to read the room and instinct for keeping every age group and demographic entertained. Couples loved his flexibility, bringing the same level of energy and care to everything from relaxed country weddings to sophisticated, high-end celebrations.

Archibald

Celebrant of the Year

Recognised for ceremonies that balance genuine sentiment and authenticity with plenty of fun, laughter and a few well-timed gags. Couples loved his ability to tell their story in a way that felt personal and heartfelt, while keeping everyone from the couple to Grandma thoroughly entertained.

Demi Louise

Singer of the Year

Recognised for her talented, warm and soulful voice, perfectly suited to creating an intimate atmosphere during ceremonies and keeping the celebrations flowing through cocktail hour. Couples loved her willingness to personalise her performances and work with their requests to make the music feel uniquely theirs.

Sammy on Percussion

Entertainer of the Year

Recognised for putting absolutely everything into every performance from start to finish, with an infectious energy whether he’s behind the percussion or taking to the mic. Couples loved the atmosphere he created, bringing an incredible vibe that kept guests engaged and the celebration moving all night.

Categories

Judging Criteria

We launched in 2026 with a small number of categories.

Expanding in 2027. We're adding further vendor types next year, including flowers, venue, catering, styling, planner, and hair & makeup — see the greyed-out list below.

Photographer

  • Quality of work
  • Style & creativity
  • Couple experience
  • Storytelling
  • Consistency & delivery

Videographer

  • Quality of work
  • Storytelling
  • Creativity & originality
  • Couple experience
  • Consistency & delivery

DJ

  • Performance
  • Atmosphere & energy
  • Setup & production
  • Couple experience
  • Adaptability

Celebrant

  • Ceremony quality
  • Personalisation
  • Public speaking
  • Couple experience
  • Adaptability

Content Creator

  • Quality of content
  • Creativity & style
  • Storytelling
  • Social relevance
  • Couple experience

Entertainer

  • Performance quality
  • Audience engagement
  • Atmosphere
  • Professionalism
  • Adaptability

Flowers

  • Design & creativity
  • Quality of florals
  • Execution
  • Styling & cohesion
  • Couple experience

Venue

  • Guest experience
  • Space & facilities
  • Service
  • Food & beverage
  • Overall experience & value

Catering

  • Food quality
  • Presentation
  • Service
  • Menu & flexibility
  • Overall dining experience

Styling

  • Design & creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Cohesion
  • Execution
  • Personalisation

Planner

  • Organisation & logistics
  • Couple experience
  • Vendor coordination
  • Problem solving
  • Execution

Hair & Makeup

  • Quality of work
  • Longevity
  • Personalisation
  • Couple experience
  • Overall aesthetic
How We're Funded

Awards are earned, not bought

Too many industry awards either charge vendors to enter or charge winners to license the award for marketing — a model that rewards naming more winners, not better ones. Others measure vote volume and reach rather than actual craft, turning recognition into a popularity contest.

Nominate for 2027

Put a name forward

Vendors can submit their own work, and couples can nominate the vendors from their own wedding. Both routes are treated the same way by the panel.

  • No entry fee, at submission or after winning
  • Vendors and couples can both submit
  • No follower count or ad spend involved in judging

Nominations are only open to independent, owner-operated businesses. We don't accept nominations for agencies that subcontract the work to third parties.

Submit for 2027

Both vendors and couples are welcome to submit — the panel treats each the same way.