Suzi van der Mark of Celebrations by Suzi, based in Nettlebed near Henley-on-Thames, was named as the best celebrant at The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) regional final last year.

More recently, she secured a place in the final of the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards for a second year, picking up her award at Oxford Town Hall on March 18.

The accolade celebrates those who have gone the extra mile to provide outstanding customer care to couples throughout the year.

Suzi van der Mark, an independent celebrant from Nettlebed, near Henley-on-Thames (Image: Mark Rock)

She said: “After being named best newcomer at the previous TWIA, it is a huge vote of confidence and I’m absolutely blown away. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my clients’ generous feedback and for trusting me on the most special of days.”

“It really is the icing on the cake”, she said, “Taking the time to get to know my couples to create a truly bespoke wedding ceremony that’s full of memorable moments and personal touches without any rules of restrictions is a total pleasure and a real privilege.”

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She says her 25 years in corporate communications as a professional writer and storyteller for brands and businesses has proven invaluable in her role to deliver memorable ceremonies from scratch.

She said: “The Statutory Ceremony at the Register Office is a great option and ensures that my couples can have a one-of-a-kind ceremony on their wedding day in front of all their guests with me without any rules or restrictions on music, readings, rituals, faith, vows or promises.

“This allows for a truly celebratory ceremony that reflects them and their wishes entirely because the legalities have already taken place.”

Couples described her story telling as “magical”. One said: “Her amazing story telling was just magical and she got us and the mood spot on”. Another said: “Suzi is a beautiful creative writer. How she transformed our love story into our ceremony was quite amazing – pure genius.”

She only books one wedding a day, allowing for limited time constraints on the couple. She said: “If a guest of bride is running late or we want to wait for the weather to pass, we can. Unlike a council registrar, I’ll have no time constraints or other weddings to rush off to, so I can help with alleviating stress levels and any other unforeseen circumstances.”

Bespoke barn ceremonies have proved a particular hit, including Stratton Court Ban in Bicester, Notley Tythe Barn near Aylesbury and Old Luxters Barn near Henley-on-Thames.

The Liberal Democrat spokesman for forreign affairs has written to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to block Donald Trump from using UK air bases.

The American president, at the time of publication, has set a deadline of 8pm EST (1am BST time) for Iran to open up the Strait of Hurmuz.

If not, Mr Trump has threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Age” and said the county will be “living in Hell”.

Mr Miller said in a letter signed by leader Sir Ed Davey that the USA’s threats if carried out would “be a clear breach of international law”.

Bicester and Woodstock’s new MP Calum Miller (Image: Calum Miller)

He said: “The war in the Middle East was launched by Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump on 28 February. Their actions were unilateral and illegal.

“Iran’s retaliation was swift and reckless, also illegally targeting countries that had not been party to the initial attack.”

“Liberal Democrats supported your decisions not to allow UK bases to be used by the US in the initial attacks and to limit UK involvement to that required to defend our citizens, interests and allies in the face of illegal actions against them by Iran.”

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He added “A failure to instil restraint in the actions of combatants and to aver that there are enemy combatants (or civilians) who “deserve no mercy” also contravenes the First and Third Geneva Conventions.

“President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth stand at the pinnace of the US Chain of Command. We must take their remarks seriously.

“They have given us warning that they intend to give instructions that will breach international law.”

Mr Miller called on Sir Keir to “withdraw the access granted to US planes to use UK bases and to make a statement on how we will continue to work with our other allies” going forward.

Downing Street again said the UK’s focus was on “de-escalation” and a “negotiated settlement” for the region, but Mr Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric and the US-Israeli bombing campaign continued.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (PA) (Image: PA)

With the countdown on 24 hours, Mr Trump said on social media: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.

“I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

The UK has granted permission for the US to use British military bases to carry out limited defensive operations, only targeting Iran’s missile sites and facilities being used to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas route.

Last week, shadow transport secretary Richard Holden criticised Labour’s “energy failure” amid growing fears of fuel shortages due to the Iran war.

Mr Holden said: “Labour’s energy failure is wrecking the Easter getaway before families have even packed their bags, grounding holidays and sending air fares into the skies.

“As conflict in the Middle East drives jet fuel prices higher, airlines will pass those costs straight on to British families already being hammered by Labour’s hikes to air passenger duty and airport business rates.

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“This is the direct consequence of Labour’s net zero obsession, destroying our energy security with real and tangible consequences for people up and down the country.

“Britain is left exposed, families are left paying, and Labour sit on their hands as the dream of a family holiday vanish.”

Last week, there were reports that Tesco in Banbury was out of fuel, while others have said there has been no diesel at several petrol stations in Oxfordshire.

This newspaper approached several supermarket brands to see how Oxfordshire stores’ petrol stations have been affected.

Asda was one of those contacted, but the supermarket giant refused to comment on the situation at this time.

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When approached, Morrisons informed this newspaper that MFG owns and operates all of the chain’s fuel stations.

MFG then refused to comment at this time when subsequently contacted.

Sainsbury’s issued a comment, which referred to the stores across the UK as a whole, informing drivers that sites would be resupplied if shortages occurred.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “For background, we are actively monitoring stock levels in all locations and continuing to resupply sites where needed.

Tesco has also been approached for comment, but has yet to respond.