Britain's Best Bridesmaid 2018 ANNOUNCED

Find out who took the crown in group travel expert Red7's annual competition 'Britain's Best Bridesmaid'

Nicole Hutton from Bedale, North Yorkshire has been named Britain's Best Bridesmaid 2018 by Red7.

The competition received almost 500 nominations from brides across the country and following the announcement of a regional shortlist, Nicole was eventually revealed as the most deserving bridesmaid.

The story of how Nicole made bride Elizabeth Upward's dreams of a big Las Vegas wedding come true stole the hearts of the competition's judges.

In Elizabeth's submission she detailed how she and her now-husband, Tom, had planned their Las Vegas wedding just three weeks after the proposal and did not expect any of their nearest and dearest to attend the big day. Elizabeth enjoyed a Vegas-themed hen do in York before jetting off, sad to be leaving best friend, Nicole, behind. 

However, Nicole and Tom had arranged a jaw-dropping surprise.... Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Nicole had secretly flown herself out to Las Vegas to meet them once they had landed. Recalling the moment Nicole met them in Arrivals, Elizabeth said: “Our flight from New York to Vegas was delayed and Tom was getting agitated and making lots of calls. I had no idea why. He told me there was a surprise. When we landed in Vegas there was a chauffeur waiting with a sign. I thought this was the surprise. Then I turned around and said ‘Tom, doesn’t that girl look just like Ni.. NO WAY’. And she was stood there."

Yet the surprise was far from over. When the trio arrived at the Bellagio Hotel they were greeted by a crowd of Elizabeth's friends and family, who were all in fancy dress. As Elizabeth went to hug her guests, they parted to reveal her beloved brother who had travelled across the Atlantic to give her away.  

The wedding, which was held infront of the majestic Bellagio fountains, was a perfectly memorable occasion. Having recently experienced the loss of both parents, it was also a poignant and reflective day for Elizabeth, who described the wedding as "magical" - all thanks to Nicole's incredibly kind and thoughtful actions.  

Nicole said: "I just wanted to give my best friend the best experience ever after what she had been through. I know she would have done the same for me - that's what friends are for.”

Commenting on her new title as Britain's Best Bridesmaid 2018, Nicole continued: ““I really didn't do this for recognition and I really didn't expect it. It meant the world to me to be part of her and Tom's special (and slightly crazy) day in Vegas. I wanted to make it as memorable as possible. Winning is the perfect end to a beautiful fairytale and I get to celebrate all over again with Liz."

Nicole's prize is her very own 'BridesmaidMoon' - an unforgettable getaway on a cruise to Bruges and Amsterdam. 

Red7 founder, Ian Lucas, said: “We are over the moon to crown Nicole as Britain’s Best Bridesmaid 2018. We had so many incredible nominations and the competition was our closest yet. Nicole stood out for her creativity, her love for her best friend and her dedication to keeping such an amazing secret."