As we move closer to the date of celebrating our “O” for Outstanding 2026 WIANZ finalists, we wanted to shout their fame from the ‘virtual’ rooftop one last time!
Since its humble inception in 2014, Wedding Industry Awards (NZ) sole mission has (and continues) to be one of recognising, esteeming, and CELEBRATING outstanding achievement in the artisan scene within Aotearoa!
2026 WIANZ CATEGORY FINALISTS
Warmest congratulations again to all of this years FINALISTS!
If the FINALISTS list [below] is any indicator this year’s awards gala will be our BIGGEST yet!
If you haven’t already been displayin’ your FINALIST fame for all to see, then be sure to stand in your Tall Poppy power and let the whole world know (or at least your past, present, and prospective clients).
We look forward to celebrating you [and your amazeballs business] Friday, October 23rd at the awards gala hosted at Grand Millennium Auckland.
Awards Gala Tickets SELLING FAST! Get yours >> HERE
Wedding Venue (Ceremony)
VR Rotorua Lake Resort, Rotorua Lockend Woolshed, Dunedin Rydges Auckland – Rooftop Venue Black Walnut, Tauranga Social Nature Movement Whispering Waters, Kumeu Te Tumu Estate, Papamoa The Old Mill, Napier The Red Barn, Cambridge Waingarara Valley, Whakatane Settlers Country Manor, Auckland
Wedding Venue (Reception)
VR Rotorua Lake Resort, Rotorua Lochend Woolshed, Dunedin Rydges Auckland – Rooftop Venue Black Walnut, Tauranga Social Nature Movement Whispering Waters, Kumeu The Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland Te Tumu Estate, Papamoa The Old Mill, Napier The Red Barn, Cambridge Waingarara Valley, Whakatane
Wedding Ceremony Venue – Boutique Hotel
Princes Gate Hotel, Rotorua The Duke of Marlborough, Russell Black Swan, Boutique Hotel, Rotorua
Photographer ONLY* (*doesn’t extend to aerial or drone Photography)
Kirsty Joy Creative, Whangarei Black Curl Films, Christchurch Marty Brown Photography, Tauranga Fluro Grey, Te Puke Photography by Andie, Wellington Jesse & Jessie Weddings, Auckland
Photography – Boudoir / Intimate Photography
Kirsty Joy Creative, Whangarei Photography by Andie, Wellington
Videographer/Cinema ONLY
Wilderness Films, Tauranga Black Curl Films, Christchurch Us On Film, Papamoa Studio Muse, Mount Maunganui Ben Journee, Auckland
Photographer/Videographer (Photographer also specialising in Videography, Drone)
Black Curl Films, Christchurch Wilderness Films, Tauranga Fluro Grey, Te Puke
Wedding Content Creators (creating unique content for couples leading into, or as part of the wedding event)
Wed Content NZ KJ Creative LILA Studios Studio Muse, Mount Maunganui Dear Brides Nosy Parker, Auckland Social Lover, Auckland
Cakes by Angie, Auckland Made by Paige, Thames Sophie Roseanna Cakes, Queenstown Sweet Bites Cakes, Auckland Wella’s Cakery, Auckland Bluebells Cakery, Auckland K Cake, Auckland Stiletto Studio, Wellington Girl on the Swing, Waikato
Hair Stylist (Freelance/Solo)
Superhair0 Wanaka Hair and Makeup Ange Enoka Hair & Bridal, Wellington Ruby Retro, Wellington Wedding Hair by Rachel, Wellington Voluptuous Devine – Elite Hair & Makeup specialist, Waikato
Bride & Groom Magazine, Auckland My Wedding, Christchurch Together Journal, Auckland Canterbury Bride
Wedding Show/Event (annual, or bi-annual wedding show or event)
The Wedding Edit, Dunedin Better Together Wedding Fair, Christchurch BLOOM Boutique Wedding Fair, The Tannery, Christchurch The Wairarapa Wedding Expo [hosted at Copthorne, Wairarapa]
Hens & Stags events
The Spa Nomad, Auckland Wicked Hens Parties, Queenstown Go Bananas Downunder NZ, Whakatane Girlz Weekend Ltd, Taupo Pinot + Picasso, Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch Paintvine, Nationwide Wicked Stag Parties, Queenstown Boyz Weekend, Taupo Stag Do & Hens Do NZ, Auckland Party Bus, Auckland
Grooms & Groomsmen Attire
Dorset Suits, Waikato/Auckland YD, Nationwide Barkers, Nationwide THEODORE, Australia
Kerr & Ladbrook, Waikato Valley d’Vine, Hawkes Bay Get Loaded Catering, Tauwhare NOSH Catering & Events, Wellington Smokin’ Oak Barbecue, Morrinsville Lemon Pie Events, Dunedin
Mobile Desert Caterer (Specialist Desert Bar/Truck)
Icecream Charlie [Christchurch & Canterbury] Get Loaded, Tauwhare First Love Gelato, Tauranga Rollin’ Pedaler, Event Tricycle Hire, Christchurch Cuore Di Gelato, Tauranga
Mobile Bar
The Cocktail Guy, Auckland Shutter Bar, Auckland CinCin Bar, Auckland Charlie Grace, Auckland Little Doozy Caravan Bar, Auckland The Cocktail Cart, Waikato LOLA Caravan Bar, Waikato Keggie, Self-serve Mobile Bar, Hamilton Morley & Co, Auckland Lemon Pie Events, Dunedin
About Giving, Auckland AraBello Chocolate, Waikato Bohemien Fresh Chocolates, Wellington The Hamper Room NZ, Nationwide
Wedding Gift Registry / Online Gift Registry* (*Actual premise or shop front, or an online gift registry)
Mildred & Co, Auckland Chuffed Gifts, Tauranga About Giving, Auckland We Love Local, Kapiti
HOT PROPERTY (i.e. new venue / business / concept / product / service launched to market within the last 3-6 months)
Shutter Bar [and Movie Theatre], Auckland Taste & Talent, Tauranga Marry Me Mish, Wellington
Emerging NEW Business (must have been in business minimum 12 months)
Te Tumu Estate, Papamoa AraBello Chocolate, Hamilton Diamond & Co, Tauranga Crystal Solution Photobooth, Auckland The Oyster Bar Co, Auckland
Unique Wedding Experience
Social Nature Movement The Dream Maker NZ Us On Film, Papamoa Lemon Pie Events, Dunedin Deer Valley, Drury Air-Space Event Structures, Auckland Circus In A Flash, Bay of Plenty Vogue Magazine Booth NZ Shutter Bar [and Movie Theatre], Auckland The Oyster Bar Co, Auckland
Emerging Entrepreneur* (*business in operation minimum 3 months)
Rachel Nicholls, Nicholls & Co, Dunedin The Girl on the Swing, Hamilton
Outstanding Employee of the Year
Daylin Sanders, Valley d’Vine, Hawkes Bay Chris Bainbridge, Valley d’Vine, Hawkes Bay Charlie Dayze, Nicholls & Co, Dunedin
Remember: If you haven’t already purchased your gala tickets HERE, get in quick to avoid disappointment.
