ABIA has since changed its name to SABIA ... and has closed down in South Africa, but is still ongoing Australia, it's base ... The Africa Bridal Industry Academy was founded in 2008 as a National Wedding Industry Authority designed to distinguish quality wedding suppliers as determined by Brides. Since then ABIA (SABIA) have assisted over 20,000 brides to select the best suppliers from a total of 15,000 Wedding Suppliers who have been rated and evaluated by past brides. The ABIA (SABIA) Accreditation program is (was then) open to all wedding suppliers in South Africa who demonstrate a high standard of quality and service. ABIA (SABIA) gathers feedback from Brides about Suppliers – referred to as the ‘Bridal Rating’ - and uses this as the basis of the ABIA (SABIA) Accreditation Program and Brides Choice Awards.