Dar set to host 2023 Wedding Industry Awards

One of the industry's members, Benedict Msofe, stated yesterday the awards are borne out of the wedding festival, termed 'Harusi Trade Fair'.

Msofe said it has been three years now since the awards took place, once the members hosted the trade fair.

According to Msofe, they thought that it was the right time to talk about weddings based on the great success the shows held earlier enjoyed, as well as good comments from various stakeholders.

He noted that the awards will be held every year to celebrate and recognize the important roles played by vendors and wedding service providers, which eventually make weddings unique, and this is the third year for the members to celebrate the awards.

He pointed out that for the past few years, the wedding industry has become an official business in which an average of 350 weddings are celebrated in Dar es Salaam in one week and provide employment opportunities for women and men.

He stated that they intend to promote wedding businessmen and service providers so that the business can spread and the domestic wedding industry can be improved.

Msofe also said that in this year's awards, 21 awards are set to be contested by the members.

Out of the honours, there are 19 that prompted members to make the selection public and the process was opened on January 20.

He pointed out they have received 340 names from 19 groups through their social networks and phone messages, and the other two will be honorary awards.

He revealed that the organizers are currently cooperating with the participants, noting the exercise is supervised by a company, Innovex Tanzania.

The leader pointed out that currently, the participants are voting and, after that stage, a panel of wedding industry analysts will review the works of all participants to assess the quality and creativity in their work.

Innovex Tanzania's official Bahya Tajiri, noted for two years in a row, they have collaborated with Wedding Industry Awards organizers to ensure the quality of the exercise.

She pointed out they believe that these awards have a great impact on the community, which has brought about this year's collaboration between the two parties. The official pledged the awards will be free and fair.

The awards, Bahya disclosed, are Best Wedding Venue, Best Cake Maker, Florist of the Year, Best Photographer of the Year, Best Videographer of the Year, Best Wedding Planner, Best Wedding Chef, Best Snack Maker of the Year, the Best Wedding Hair and Stylist, and the Best Salon.

Others are the Best Celebrant, the Wedding DJ, the Wedding Accessories, the Bridal Accessories Store, the Bridal Boutique, the Bridal Jeweler, the Henna Painter of the Year, the Designer of Men's Wedding Dresses, Best Wedding of the Year, and Achievement Awards for individuals and institutions that have left a mark in the wedding industry.