**2007 Winners Announced**

At long last the waiting is over, with the VOWS Awards 2007 winners announced at a glittering ceremony at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on November 06. To see a full list of winners click here. A huge congratulations goes out to everyone who took an award home.

To view images from the awards ceremony evening and video messages left on Artation's machine, click here.

We received a record 7519 entries verified entries this year from brides and grooms who organised their recent weddings and wanted to let us know which companies they were impressed with. Many thanks to all who promoted the VOWS Awards - it is fast becoming associated with quality, reliable companies who offer excellent service.

See the short-list of companies nominated by category for a VOWS Awards 2007 here Congratulations to all those who reached this stage - with literally thousands of entries in some categories (venue, bridal and photographer) those who have made it this far offer an excellent level of service. Commiserations to those who haven't been short-listed in 2007. This year, we are releasing details of why your company may have been unsuccessful at the shortlist stage, which may help for future years. Should you like to receive this, please send a written request to VOWS Awards 2007 at the address at the foot of the page. We will respond to you within 28 days from receipt.

Who's Judging?

The 2008 Awards are nominated by anyone who has booked a wedding service from 21 September 2007 and 20 September 2008. The voting process will determine who the short-listed wedding suppliers are and a judging panel composed of experienced, independent judges who will decide on the overall winners. The judges have the right to determine the standards of an award and to withhold an award if, in their view, the entries are not of sufficient merit. The judges also have the right to reallocate an award to a different category.

Eligibility

To be eligible for entry, your company must have been trading for at least one year and be based (or have an outlet) in Scotland. The VOWS Category Awards are nominated by the public and the VOWS Individual & Industry Awards are nominated by Owners/Managers and businesses.

Consumer Awards

Couples, once married, are asked to nominate the best companies they have dealt with, in writing or online, scoring these companies in the following areas:

• Quality of Product: The quality of showrooms, cleanliness, shop/store layout and ease of parking
• Level of Service: Attitude of owners/managers, professionalism of staff and quality of advice/assistance
• Value for Money: Compared with other quotes – promises against standards delivered
• Overall Rating: Overall satisfaction with supplier; product and service before, during and after the wedding

In addition, they will be asked to comment (in 50 words) on one particular company which they consider has been outstanding. The information from every entry will be documented on a database (data is inputted by an independent company) and those scoring the best results in comparison to others in their category will be short–listed for a nomination for a 'Best in their Category VOWS Award'.

At this point, an independent panel of judges will assess the short–listed companies, taking into account all comments made. This will determine the final short–list of nominated companies to be announced at a glittering awards ceremony in November 2008. However, this event is about more than winning prizes; it's packed with entertainment and surprises and aims to unite the Scottish wedding industry in a social event – whilst also celebrating those whose excellent service records have been recognised.