Brides choose Lee Watts

Many Scone residents might be surprised to learn Lee Watts is a finalist for the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region in the Brides Choice Awards 2021.

One of the many hats Ms Watts wears is that of a marriage celebrant, and she is as surprised as anyone to discover she is a finalist for the awards.

“I was shocked to hear it. It’s an honour to know newlywed couples have enjoyed my marriage celebrant services to this extent,” Ms Watts said.

There are finalists in regions all over Australia competing for the overall winner nationally and Ms Watts found out she was a finalist for the award, a week ago. She recalled anecdotes of her time spent as a marriage celebrant over the past five years.

“One couple wanted to get married in the paddock they were building their dream home on. The only problem is that the bride was running late, it was 42 degrees celsius that day and there was no shade. I suffered heatstroke. I remember having to sit down in the car after the signing and it took me forever to get home that day,” Ms Watts said.

“Just last week, I was heading to Barrington to do a wedding but it was raining and the wedding was going to be held in Gloucester. I’d left for Gloucester when I received a text to say Gloucester was flooded and the wedding was going to held at a hall in Singleton,” she said.

Despite the misadventures, Ms Watts says she loves spending the day with happy couples and playing a part on a day they will build a lifetime of memories on.

Ms Watts will participate in the Brides Choice  Awards night on 6 April via Zoom to find out if she will progress to become the Australian Wedding Brides Choice Awards, overall winner.

Brides Choice Awards organiser Robert Bushby said Ms Watts had to score 20 points from newlywed couple votes to become a finalist.

“Later in the year, Ms Watts has an opportunity to participate in The Australian Wedding Awards where an overall winner will be selected.”

Brides Choice Awards is dedicated to recognising, supporting and rewarding wedding businesses that operate in regional areas of Australia, to acknowledge those wedding businesses that have excelled and exceeded the expectations of their brides.