It was a night to remember for a Barrhead businesswoman as her bridal shop won a prestigious award.
Elaine Donegan has been making dreams come true for brides for the past decade, after opening Wedding Wise in 2012.
And she was thrilled when the shop was crowned Wedding Boutique of the year in the Glasgow region at this year’s Scottish Wedding Awards.
It was a welcome boost for Elaine, whose business has had to cope with the impact of the Covid pandemic, which led to many couples putting their big day on hold.
“I was excited to be able to attend the awards event because it was cancelled last year,” said Elaine.
“It ended up quite emotional because everything has been quite bad recently, everyone has been so down, so it was lovely to catch up again and have a reason to celebrate.”
More than 500 wedding specialists gathered at the Marriott Hotel, in Glasgow, for the glittering ceremony.
The awards celebrate businesses and professionals that make a wedding day as magical as it can be, from entertainment and decorations to hair and make-up.
Elaine’s successful career in the industry was inspired by her mum, who was an award-winning wedding dress designer.
Wedding Wise opened in Paisley Road in January 2012 but, as it expanded and needed more room, a move to the old registry office behind Main Street took place.
After being nominated for the award, Elaine had to submit a presentation on the business and its charity work and then rely on customer reviews and an online vote to secure victory.
Elaine added: “I wouldn’t be anywhere without our brides. The Barrhead, Neilston and East Renfrewshire communities are all so loyal.
“They will always give you support, even if they aren’t buying from you. Social media and Facebook have been so important when receiving support from the local community.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Wedding Awards added: “The winners represent the industry’s gold standard, working tirelessly to meet the demands of the couples and their guests.
“The awards showcase some of the best wedding specialists that operate in the industry.”
For more information about the business, visit wedding-wise.co.uk.