A wedding celebrant has won the best newcomer award at a national competition.
Suzi van der Mark, known as Celebrations by Suzi, creates and delivers bespoke wedding ceremonies across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire.
She has been recognised as the best newcomer in the south central region by The Wedding Industry Awards 2025.
This achievement has secured her a spot in the national finals set to be held in January 2025.
This is a significant accomplishment for Ms van der Mark, who transitioned into the wedding celebrant role after 25 years in corporate communications.
Celebrations by Suzi was recognised by the expert judging panel for the best client feedback in the category.
Ms van der Mark, who lives in Nettlebed, said: "I’m overwhelmed by the recognition and generosity of both my couples and The Wedding Industry Award judges to be named best newcomer in such a competitive region.
"With so many other brilliant and well-deserving wedding suppliers also in the mix, this win is more than I could have imagined and now I can’t wait to see what the national finals bring."
This year has seen Celebrations by Suzi conducting unique wedding ceremonies at various venues across the counties, including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Stratton Court Barn, The Swan at Streatley, The Post Barn in Newbury, The Great Barn at Aynho, Ardington House, and Dorney Court near Windsor.
Ms van der Mark has been featured in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding Magazine in its Meet the Expert Q&A.
She is looking forward to more ceremonies in 2025 and 2026, with her first New Year ceremony at Old Luxters Barn in Hambleden.
Ms van der Mark said: "Being both nominated and voted for by my wonderful couples is such an honour.
"Getting to know them as their chosen wedding celebrant and taking the time to create a truly bespoke wedding ceremony that's full of memorable moments and personal touches so it’s a true reflection of them, their story and their wishes is a total pleasure and a real privilege."
Damian Bailey, founder of The Wedding Industry Awards, said: "Since 2011, The Wedding Industry Awards has been dedicated to recognising and rewarding excellence in the wedding industry and this year’s regional finalists are clearly at the top of their game."
Ms van der Mark added: "To be nominated for Wedding Celebrant of the Year was exciting and to now be a national finalist as best newcomer is beyond what I could have imagined."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here