CORKS were popping at two Borders wedding venues this week after they were recognised at a national awards ceremony.

The 10th Scottish Wedding Awards were staged at a glamorous gathering in The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Tuesday (February 28).

The awards recognise the crème de la crème of the Scottish wedding industry, those people who make a couple’s day as perfect as possible.

The winner in the overall Scottish Wedding Venue of the Year category was the Peebles Hydro Hotel, while Runningburn Premier Events Venue in Kelso waltzed off with the ‘South of Scotland – Venue of the Year’ award.

Yvonne Baird and Jim Neil, who operate Runningburn with a dedicated team of staff, were proud just to have been nominated – and overwhelmed to have won.

Yvonne said: “We are absolutely buzzing about winning this award. Myself and Jim have worked very hard to make the venue the very best it can be alongside our small but dedicated team and contractors.

“It means so much for us just to be nominated let alone to win. It was particularly pleasing as our category was very strong with many bigger and long established venues nominated.

“I’d like to thank everyone who nominated and voted for us and congratulations to the overall winner, Peebles Hydro.”

Yvonne also passed on thanks to catering partner Suzie Walker and all her team at Clint Lodge and bar partner Iain Oliver and his team of staff at Best Bar None.

Yvonne added: “Without the fabulous team of staff behind both of those businesses we wouldn’t be where we are today and this award definitely needs to be shared with them.”

The ceremony also recognised the caterers that provide delicious reception meals, decorators that add glamour to proceedings and the florists that know how to make any wedding flourish.

There was also success at the awards for three Galashiels-based businesses – Love Beth Stationary, which won in the ‘Stationary Supplier of the Year’ category; Scent Flowers in Galashiels, which took the ‘South of Scotland – Florist of the Year’ award, and Lynne Grant Photography, winner of the ‘South of Scotland – Photographer of the Year’ section.

A spokesperson for The Scottish Wedding Awards 2023 said: “These awards are now recognised as the leading celebration of showcasing those that have demonstrated excellence in this industry.”