STUNNING wedding entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the annual regional Whitewed Directory Awards for 2018.

The awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate the best in the business of the thriving wedding industry.

This year's awards got record numbers of entries from wedding suppliers from across the South West.

Founder of Whitewed, which builds a trusted directory of wedding suppliers, Natalie Lovett, said "The quality of the entries impressed the judges immensely by demonstrating business acumen, knowledge within their sector and a determination to succeed.

"There are so many deserving winners and it was a tough choice to select just three finalists per category.

"We would like to extend a big ‘thank you' to everyone who entered and congratulations to all those who made the shortlist. I can't wait for the winners to be announced in February."

Categories include Business of the Year, Most Inspiring Business Person, Start-up Business of the year, and new category the Peers Award, which celebrates camaraderie between Whitewed Directory members.

Hannah Culley, from Royal Wootton Bassett, who set up her own cake-making company aged 19, has been shortlisted for two of the categories.

She started her business by making a birthday cake for her two nieces and after sharing the photos on Facebook saw it take off. She is now asked to make all kinds of cakes for weddings and events.

"I didn't do it on a whim," she told the Adver, I just threw myself into working on the business while my friends were going out and eventually it paid off.

"Lots of the people nominated are double my age but I think you can start a business at any age."

The judging panel includes Sara Tye, award winning, top 500 international PR, business development expert, Ian Larrard, director of Business West in Swindon and Wiltshire, and Emma Richards, sales director of DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon.

The awards event on 7 February 2019 will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon, when the winners will be announced.