The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) is one of the best-known UK wedding awards programmes, established in 2011. What makes it useful for couples is that it combines client voting/feedback with a separate expert judging process, so it’s not just “who’s popular on Instagram.”
Updated: February 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Use TWIA like a shortlist tool: start with winners and finalists, then sanity-check them by reading 2–3 full galleries and reviews that mention real situations (rain, dark venues, timelines shifting). The suppliers who stay consistent under pressure are usually the safest choice.
KEY FACTS
Who can vote: TWIA voting is for wedding clients of wedding suppliers who have entered the awards – and you can only vote for a supplier who has entered TWIA.
How judging works: judging is carried out by the Judging Panel individually, remotely, independently and without consultation.
Nominations: anyone can nominate a wedding supplier (nomination encourages them to enter, but isn’t required).
Established: TWIA was established in 2011.
How TWIA works in plain English
TWIA (The Wedding Industry Awards) is a UK wedding supplier awards programme (established in 2011) that combines client voting/feedback with a separate expert judging process.
Here’s the simplest way to understand it:
- 1) Nomination (optional)
Anyone can nominate a supplier. A nomination is basically a “you should know about these guys” nudge – it isn’t the same as entering.
- 2) Entry (the supplier actually enters)
Most suppliers just enter themselves; nomination isn’t required.
- 3) Client voting + feedback (only eligible couples)
Voting is for recent wedding clients of suppliers who have entered, and you can only vote for a supplier who has entered TWIA.
- 4) Judging (expert panel, independently)
The judging panel assesses entries individually, remotely, independently and without consultation.
What client voting tells you (and what it doesn’t)
Client voting is brilliant for one thing: real-world experience. It’s feedback from couples who actually worked with that supplier, not friends/family voting for popularity.
What it can tell you reliably:
- Whether the supplier was calm under pressure
- Whether they were kind, organised, responsive
- Whether they delivered what they promised (and handled problems well)
What it can’t tell you on its own:
- Whether the photos match your taste (you still need to check full galleries)
- Whether the supplier is consistent across different lighting/venues/seasons
- Whether their “best 12 images” represent the full day
So treat client voting as a trust filter, then do your own style check.
What the judges look at (simple + factual)
TWIA judging is designed so no one judge dominates: it’s done individually, remotely, independently and without consultation.
In plain terms, judging is there to sanity-check quality beyond popularity – meaning a supplier needs both:
- strong couple experience (client feedback), and
- standards that hold up under expert review.
That combination is why TWIA can be a useful shortlist tool for couples.
How to use TWIA to choose a wedding photographer (5-step checklist)
Use this when you’re on TWIA/Google and you’re trying to choose safely:
1) Start with winners/finalists – but don’t stop there
Treat awards as a shortlist, not the decision.
2) Read 2–3 full galleries (not highlights)
A full gallery shows consistency in the hard bits: indoor ceremonies, speeches, and dance floors.
3) Look for reviews that mention real situations
Rain, dark venues, nerves, timeline shifts, “they made us feel relaxed” – those are the reviews that matter most.
4) Ask one reliability question
“What’s your plan if something goes wrong?” (backup cameras, card backups, illness contingency).
The answer tells you more than any Instagram grid.
5) Choose the team you’ll feel calm with
You’re not hiring a camera – you’re hiring a presence. The best photographers reduce stress, keep things moving, and still let the day feel like you.
Where to go next (the most useful pages)
If you’re reading this because you’re trying to choose a photographer (or you’ve found us through TWIA), these are the pages that make the decision easier – without drowning you in fluff.
TWIA testimonials hub
This is the quickest way to understand what couples consistently say about us year after year through the TWIA process – calm presence, real storytelling, and photos that feel like the day.
Wedding Photographer of the Year 2023 (National Winner) – full testimonials archive
If you want the full, unfiltered feedback from our 2023 winning year, it’s all here.
TWIA wedding photography judges (our journey)
How we went from entering TWIA to becoming judges – and what that means for couples choosing safely.
Top UK wedding photographers (how to compare properly)
A practical guide to spotting real consistency in full galleries – not just highlights.
Kind words – the Wedding Industry Awards
We will publish our clients’ comments soon, but, for the time being, we would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has voted for us and left their valuable feedback too! You really are amazing! If you’d like to read the last year’s comments, please follow these links: Kind words about Marta May Photography Part1 and Kind words about Marta May Photography Part2.
Get in touch with us
If you’d like to chat about your own wedding plans, you can reach us here.
