After a tumultuous year for the weddings and events sector, Oxfordshire businesses have dominated at a wedding industry awards event.

The guidesforbrides.co.uk customer service awards are based on reviews left by couples on their website.

The ceremony was recorded in the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace, a venue which has been hugely impacted by the restrictions on large events, but is now available again for small weddings.

Nine Oxfordshire wedding businesses won in their hotly contested categories.

This year the annual ceremony presented a Covid Hero award for businesses' efforts to support their couples, the wedding industry and their community during the pandemic.

Entrepreneur Ellie Sanderson of Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique in Woodstock won for promoting Covid safety in bridal boutiques and boosting customer confidence, supporting designers and spreading best practice.

And Oxford Fine Dining were recognised for creating and delivering much needed meals to NHS staff and supporting the Oxford Hospitals Charity.

In the best venue category, Stratton Court Barn in Stratton Audley won for best Barn Wedding Venue while their wedding coordinator, Karin, was praised for being professional, totally unobtrusive and calming before, and on, the day.

Wedding industry supplier winners included David Rodger Sharp Jewellers of Henley. One couple described the staff as empathetic, inspiring and providing service with genuine care during their one-on-one consultation.

The Cotswold Campervan Company based in Banbury won the Wedding Transport category with its selection of VW campervans after many couples reported that arriving at the service in their VW was a highlight of their day.

Bespoke On Cloud Nine Stationery, based in Carterton, run by Louisa Faulkner, was winner of the Wedding Stationery Category.

The Event Designer from Oxford won the Venue Decor and Furniture Hire category.

And Keates Formal Men's Hire in Witney, which has been in business for 22 years, won best Menswear Outfitter.

The ceremony had been postponed three times.

Alison Hargreaves, director at Guides for Brides, said “A postponed awards ceremony can in no way compare to the heartache of a postponed wedding, but it is nonetheless frustrating for all involved.

"We’d like to thank those who were so supportive through each postponement."

The online event was staged in partnership with Blenheim Palace, THAT Event Company, from Wheatley, the Laura Williams Band, virtual event service Dine Delivered and luxury event stationery studio London Paper Crafts.