Our judging panel boasts a host of industry experts, former KWA Winners and key leaders in local business who, via a rigorous judging process which assesses all entrants fairly, select Kent’s top suppliers for finalist, highly commended and of course winner acclaim.

Our judging panel probably do know a lot of people in the wedding industry, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be judging everyone fairly. So, rest assured all of our judges are looking at every entry thoroughly so that they can pick the best of the best. They can’t even be bribed with cake, we promise…

How the awards are judged

The Professional categories of the Kent Wedding Awards will be independently judged after the closing date by a carefully selected, handpicked panel that comprises wedding, media, sponsors, business, photographic and journalistic professionals. These carefully selected panellists will – using a combination of both online and physical judging, be analysing every entry and judging from the consumers’ point of view. They will look at and read each submission and then select a shortlist for all the wedding professional categories.

Our sponsors can of course enter the awards, but will not be invited to assist with the judging in any related categories, and will have no access to any entries submitted, in order to ensure the process is completely private, confidential, fair and unbiased. This decision will allow them to enter the awards clear in the knowledge that each entry will be independently and impartially judged on its own merits, with complete confidentiality.

Prior to joining our judging panel each judge must sign a confidentiality agreement, specifying that they must not reveal anything about the judging and applicants. They must also declare that they have no connection whatsoever with any entries or sponsors, ensuring that our judging process is completely confidential and makes for an exciting ‘reveal’ on the night of the awards.