A parade of beautiful brides enchanted a capacity crowd at the Wairarapa Bride of the Year 2014 contest in Masterton on Friday night.
A field of 23 brides contested the 45th annual event, which was hosted by the Lansdowne sub-branch of the Plunket Society at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park, with thousands of dollars worth of prizes on offer for the winner and placegetters.
The judging panel on the night included Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson, Susanne Bird, and Wairarapa Times-Age general manager Andrew Denholm, with Doug Davidson serving as MC and Lindy Daniell as Parade of Brides compere.
Stephanie Sim (nee Meredith) took the crown as Wairarapa Bride of the year 2014, while a highly-commended prize and the Ruth Benton Trophy went to Hayley Patrick; a commended-prize and the Lynette Gwynn Trophy went to Channyn Titter, and Courtney Halligan took the Rochelle Burnard Cup for the most original and innovative gown.
The grand winner of the event this year was announced by Wairarapa Bride of the Year 2013, Jasmine Bunny (nee Chambers), and a major raffle was also drawn on the night by Margaret Bourke, president of the Lansdowne sub-branch of Plunket Society.