When searching for the best suppliers for your wedding, you’ll see many businesses advertising themselves as “award-winning.” It sounds impressive, but what does that actually mean? Are these awards a mark of true excellence, or just a clever marketing gimmick?
This isn’t about criticising suppliers who use awards in their promotions—many offer fantastic services. But as a couple investing in one of the biggest days of your life, you deserve to know the reality: wedding industry awards are often more about money and marketing than genuine quality.
How Wedding Awards Really Work
Unlike regulated industries, where awards are based on strict assessments and measurable performance, most wedding awards don’t actually evaluate suppliers in action. Instead, they operate as a pay-to-play system where recognition can often be bought rather than earned. Here’s how:
1️⃣ No Real Vetting or Assessment
Many wedding award organisers never see, hear, or experience the suppliers they’re judging. They don’t visit venues, listen to DJs perform live, or sample caterers’ food. Instead, suppliers nominate themselves, usually by submitting a written application. In many cases, awards are handed out based on how well a supplier can sell themselves on paper, not their actual service quality.
2️⃣ Pay-to-Enter Model
A large number of wedding awards require suppliers to pay an entry fee just to be considered. These fees can range from £50 to several hundred pounds, meaning that businesses with bigger marketing budgets—not necessarily better services—often dominate the competition. Many of the best suppliers don’t even enter, as they don’t need awards to secure bookings.
3️⃣ Winners Are Often Expected to Pay More
Winning an award may sound prestigious, but many suppliers soon realise that their “win” comes with a price tag. To officially accept their award, they’re often expected to purchase a ticket to an awards ceremony, which can cost anywhere from £100 to over £1,000 per ticket. If a winner doesn’t pay to attend, they might not even receive their award at all.
4️⃣ Profiting from Winners
Many award companies are not independent industry bodies but for-profit businesses. Once a supplier wins, they’re encouraged to buy:
✔ Winner badges for their website (often at an extra cost).
✔ Trophies and certificates (again, for a fee).
✔ Premium listings or “featured” spots on the award company’s website or directory.
Some even offer “enhanced winner packages,” where suppliers can pay for more exposure—turning the whole thing into a marketing gimmick rather than a true recognition of quality.
5️⃣ The Public Vote Illusion
Some awards claim to be “voted for by the public”, but this system can be just as flawed. In many cases, wedding suppliers can ask anyone to vote for them—friends, family, past clients, or even people who have never used their service. Some awards even allow suppliers to pay for extra visibility, meaning those who invest the most money have a better chance of winning.
Do Wedding Awards Mean Anything?
Not necessarily. There are some awards that do have value, particularly those run by independent judges who actually assess suppliers in action. But the vast majority of wedding industry awards are built as a marketing tool rather than a true indicator of quality.
Some of the best wedding suppliers don’t enter awards at all—not because they wouldn’t win, but because they’re already fully booked based on reputation, recommendations, and the quality of their work.
So, if awards don’t mean much, how can couples find genuinely great suppliers?
What Actually Matters When Choosing a Supplier?
Instead of relying on industry awards, look for real, verifiable proof of a supplier’s experience and quality:
✔ Photos & Videos – Do they showcase real events they’ve worked on?
✔ Reviews Across Multiple Platforms – Google, Facebook, wedding directories—consistent feedback across different platforms is a strong sign of reliability.
✔ Social Media & Website – Are they active? Do they share real wedding footage and client interactions?
✔ Word-of-Mouth & Direct Recommendations – Many of the best suppliers are booked purely on reputation.
No Gimmicks, Just Experience – Why Mobile Beats Stands Out
At Mobile Beats, we don’t rely on flashy awards or paid badges to prove our value. Instead, we focus on delivering an exceptional experience, tailored to every couple we work with. With over 20 years of experience, we provide professional wedding DJ services across Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Fife, built on quality, reliability, and personalisation.
🎶 Live, seamless mixing – No pre-set playlists, just the perfect soundtrack for your night.
💡 High-quality sound and lighting – Customised to enhance your venue and create the right atmosphere.
🕺 A packed dancefloor – We read the crowd and adapt in real time.
💬 Clear communication & planning – Ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
For couples who care about quality over gimmicks, we’re here to deliver a high-end wedding entertainment experience backed by real expertise, not marketing tricks. Visit Mobile Beats to find out how we can personalise your wedding entertainment.