Lithgow businesses took home plenty of trophies at the Brides Choice Awards on Wednesday, September 19.
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Wallerawang’s Jamie Collins from Jamie’s Cakes took home two Brides Choice awards on the night for cake decorating and being the best of the best; the most prestigious award of the night.
“I was very surprised, I didn’t even know the best of the best award existed,” Jamie said.
Jamie has been cake decorating for 15 years, but it only became a full time job seven years ago.
“When I started cake decorating I learned the foundations and how to make sugar flowers from a local lady and cake master, Margaret Hickey. She got me well on my way and I can’t thank her enough for the time she spent with me every week to teach me so much of what she knew.”
Jamie has created eight wedding cakes in the past three weeks. She has also attended three wedding expos, something that Jamie really enjoys doing.
“I love wedding cakes, they’re normally bigger, more exciting, show stoppers,” she said.
Jamie said it felt really good to see Lithgow businesses winning and getting the recognition they deserve.
Jamie said she wanted to thank her family for their support but especially her mother for being there to help every step of the way.
“She helps me out every single week with deliveries, set ups, bridal expos, making flowers and even babysitting,” she said.
“This award is as much hers as it is mine. I couldn’t do it without her.”
Lithgow man Dave Webb and his partner Lauren Hagney took out the award for live entertainment. The duo Momentum has been performing at weddings together for nearly two years.
“I love doing weddings because they are just beautiful and lovely and you get to witness people committing themselves to one another,” Mr Webb said.
“The most nerve wracking part is probably the first dance song because it’s their moment and you just think that your fingers and voice won’t work.”
With wedding season just beginning, Momentum have been booked out until next year.
“We will go wherever the wedding is, we just want people to sing and dance and have a good time,” he said.
The duo is always willing to learns specific songs for the ceremony or reception.
“Most people have their song, so we learn specific songs that people want but otherwise we just make sure we know songs that people can sing and dance to,” he said.
“We are passionate about what we do and we enjoy what we do.”
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A business that didn’t even know it had won a highly commended for golf club wedding venue was the Lithgow Golf Club.
“It is nice to be recognised, we try to make the weddings we do individual and exclusive,” Henriette Evans said.
The Lithgow and District Workmen’s Club also received a highly commended in the licenced clubs venue category.
“It is absolutely amazing to be acknowledged and we are quite happy and proud to win the award,” functions coordinator Karla Fairall said.
Karla has been working as functions coordinator for five years now and has seen her fair share of weddings.
“Our team is second to none, we can cater to what couples want and give them a day to remember,” she said.
Wolgan Valley Hotel, Jenolan Caves House and Rydal’s Seclusions also took out best accommodation awards on the night.