There are moments in life that feel truly surreal—ones that leave you pinching yourself and wondering if they really happened. This is one of them.
Congratulations Cake Design By Holly Miller: Winning The Wedding Industry Awards last year was a dream come true. Being recognized among the best in the industry was something I had never imagined when I first started this journey. But this year? Retaining the title, standing on that stage once again, and hearing our name called out as a national winner for the second time in a row? I’m still struggling to put into words what that means.
This wasn’t just another award. It wasn’t just another competition. This was the result of years of passion, hard work, late nights, and an unwavering commitment to creating beautiful cakes that bring joy to couples on one of the most important days of their lives.
The Journey to the Finals
When we decided to enter The Wedding Industry Awards again this year, I knew it would be an intense process. This isn’t just about submitting photos of your work and hoping for the best. Every finalist has to go through a rigorous and transparent judging process, making this one of the most respected awards in the wedding industry.
The process involved multiple steps, each designed to evaluate not only our work but also the impact we’ve had on our clients and the wedding industry as a whole:
- We submitted ten of our favourite cake designs, each carefully chosen to showcase the artistry, creativity, and craftsmanship that goes into every cake we create.
- We could include videos, and I added two, giving a behind-the-scenes look into the passion that fuels this business.
- We answered ten in-depth questions about our journey, inspiration, and why we do what we do.
- Our clients were then invited to leave feedback and score us on multiple elements of our work, from creativity to customer service. The more votes we received and the higher the quality of feedback, the better our overall score.
Every step of this process was nerve-wracking because we knew that, at the end of the day, we were putting our hearts on the line. When we received the client feedback after the awards, I was an emotional wreck. Reading the kind words and knowing how much our cakes meant to the couples we’ve worked with over the years was overwhelming in the best possible way. I cried like a baby!
The Big Night at the National Finals
The National Finals was held on Wednesday, January 22nd, at The Underglobe in London, a venue as grand as the occasion itself. But before we could even think about stepping onto that national stage, we first had to win our regional award, which was held at Aldwick Estate in November. That was a massive achievement in itself, as the competition in our region was fierce.
Winning regionals meant we advanced to the National Finals, where we competed against nine other exceptional cake designers from across the country—all of whom are incredibly talented and dedicated to their craft.
This isn’t an easy competition to win. The Wedding Industry Awards have been running since 2011, and very few businesses go straight to winning the national title twice in a row. Many entered for years before even securing a regional win, so I knew just how special this opportunity was.
The pressure was intense. Walking into the awards, knowing we were defending our title, added another layer of nerves. Could we do it again? Would our work stand out against such talented competitors? I had no idea.
The Experience of the Evening
In the hours leading up to the awards, I focused on making the most of the experience.
- I started the day in Bath, where I professionally had my hair and makeup done to feel my absolute best.
- I chose to wear Temperley again—her gowns are just breathtaking. As Alice Temperley is based in Somerset, it felt right to represent the incredible talent from our part of the world. Supporting local designers and businesses is something I truly believe in, so this was my little way of flying the flag for the Southwest.
Walking into the venue, the energy was electric. The room was filled with some of the most talented and inspiring people in the wedding industry. There was an air of excitement, anticipation, and, of course, nerves. Everyone in that room had worked incredibly hard to get to this point.
The ceremony itself was a blur. When our category was announced, I barely dared to breathe. And then—we won. Again.
I can’t describe the wave of emotions that hit me at that moment: relief, joy, shock, gratitude—everything all at once. It was overwhelming in the best way.
After the awards, the nerves finally faded, and we celebrated in true wedding industry style—we danced the night away, soaking up every single moment of this unforgettable night.
What This Win Means to Me
Now that I’ve had a little time to reflect, I still don’t think it has fully sunk in. Last year, winning felt like a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. To have done it again proves that when you pour your heart and soul into something and are passionate, dedicated, and willing to invest in your craft, you can achieve anything.
This business is my heart. I love what I do. Creating exquisite, one-of-a-kind cakes for the most wonderful couples is more than just a job—it’s an honour. And to have this passion recognized on such a prestigious stage is something I will treasure forever.
But more than anything, this award belongs to our amazing clients. Every single couple who trusted us to be part of their wedding journey, who took the time to vote, who left feedback, and who have supported us throughout this adventure—this is for you.
Thank you for making this possible, for allowing us to be a part of your special moments, and for believing in us.
Here’s to another incredible year of beautiful cakes, wonderful weddings, and unforgettable celebrations!
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Holly Miller is a Member of 5 Star Wedding Directory
