Winton holds annual celebration of brides and maids

Winton might experience a whiteout on Monday night as entrants arrive in their wedding dresses for the Central Southland Rural Women Bride of the Year competition.

Entry organiser Lorna Anderson said 29 brides and 20 maids had entered the annual competition, with some travelling from as far away as Christchurch.

The women would parade their dresses in a series of heats and public vote would determine who would be crowned the bride of the year.

Although glamorous prizes were on offer, she believed the competition had remained popular through the years because brides enjoyed having an opportunity to wear their dresses again.

"I haven’t had one [entrant] ask what the prizes are."

The bride of the year will win a two-night stay at the Nugget Point Distinction Hotel, with jewellery and supermarket prizes for runners-up and bridesmaids.

Behind the scenes, the rural women volunteers worked hard to ensure the brides looked their best, Ms Anderson said.

Organisers came prepared with white cotton, needles and safety pins in case of any last-minute mishaps, which was not unusual: "Last year we had three girls that we had to sew up."

After 31 years involved in the event backstage and as an entry organiser, Ms Anderson said this would be her last show.

"Everyone says ‘You tell us that every year’, but I’m doing it this year."