All images by Ditty Lens Photography

The Muddy Awards, in partnership with our fab national sponsor Beauty Pie, are always a huge deal and this year the competition was off the scale – a whopping 77,000 businesses entered, 800,000 nominations and votes were cast, and 1.6 million people interacted with the Awards across the Muddy counties. The competition in Suffolk & Cambs was unprecedented, so it was only right the victors had the opportunity to celebrate their amazing achievement in style.

The Manor Barn Harlton, an exquisite wedding venue

The 27 winners of the Muddy Awards 2023 – as voted by you – gathered last week to celebrate being crowned the ‘best of the best’ in an absolutely gorgeous family-run wedding and events venue – The Manor Barn in Harlton, a stunning 400-year-old barn with rural vistas, characterful beams, fairy lights galore and a dream team of event planners and chefs.

It might’ve been July, but the weather wasn’t exactly summery. It didn’t matter one bit – who needs sunshine when the inside space a your venue is so wow-factor with its multitude of twinkling lights and vaulted space?

chill out area at wedding — The chill out area at The Manor Barn

If you’ve got a sparkler on your finger though and want a barn with outside space for your big day, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a gorgeous sheltered courtyard for drinks and pictures too.

The FRESH. Ely team arriving at the Muddy Awards Winners’ Drinks

The fun kicked off at 7pm, with Editor Hollie and Commercial Manager Fran greeting the winners (some familiar faces and many new ones), and the super slick and attentive Manor Barn team serving glasses of celebratory bubbles and the most delicious canapés from head chef extraordinaire, Martin.

entrance to Muddy Awards winners' drinks event

As we mingled, chatted and laughed with all the amazing local businesses, we were serenaded by the super talented Harri from Bespoke Party Bands, a Cambs-based music agency that provides the best local musicians for weddings and events.

We were also lucky enough to have Jay from Glitter-Arty in attendance too. Forget what you’ve seen at other glitter bars, because Jay is a true artist and manages to create actual works of art completely freehand on your face in minutes.

Our guests looked gorgeous in their glad rags when they arrived, but after Jay had bedazzled them they looked nothing short of spectacular.

Then it was time for a few words from Hollie and the presentation of certificates.

Fab local wedding and portrait photographer, Millie from Ditty Lens Photography snapped away throughout the evening (yep, these are her awesome pics you’re looking at right now!).

All our winners then headed to the beautiful backdrop and welcome sign created by Charley from A2D Wedding & Event Styling, with silk flowers from Wisbech-based florist Nici’s Creations (yes unbelievably they aren’t real flowers!), for their all-important certificate shot.

At the end of the evening everyone took home a delicious Muddy cupcake, courtesy of the talented Alison Bond from Bury St Edmunds.

All winners and their guests also received a goody bag full of lovely local products.

Every bag had pretty pink Muddy Awards winners’ drinks biscuits created by Peta at Bury St Biscuits, a mini bottle of Cambs’ Roundwood Gin, a hand poured, scented soy candle in a beautiful jar from Cambs’ Sensory Philosophy, cute floral washi tape from The Little Fenland Eco Shop in Ramsey, a spa voucher and some beauty samples from The Gainsborough Health Club & Spa near Sudbury and a gift voucher from Beauty Pie.

goody bag at the muddy awards winners' drinks

Frankly, the whole thing was a blast from beginning to end. Getting to meet inspirational and creative business owners who make living in Suffolk & Cambs a delight was truly wonderful – after all finding brilliant local businesses is right at the heart of Muddy and we really do love it.

party guests chatting — Victoria Louise from Adorn chatting to Sian Richardson Photography and Amy from Colby & Co

And a huge thank you has to go to the wonderful, friendly and hard-working team led by Fay at The Manor Barn for looking after us so beautifully all evening.

the team at the manor barn Harlton — The fabulous Fay and the awesome Manor Barn team

But there would be no party with no awards, and no awards with no readers to vote for their most loved indie businesses, so it’s a big heartfelt THANK YOU from us to you for taking the time to give your local favourites a pat on the back and showing your support.

Pop the corks! It’s the Muddy Awards winners’ drinks 2023

You may also like