The Styled Challenge is a wedding design competition showcasing the works of talented wedding professionals from local areas. Each designer is tasked with creating an exceptional wedding ceremony and reception arrangement at the provided venue. Our viewers on Southern Bride Instagram and Facebook channels vote on the best design. The Ireland competition includes the top 3 local wedding planners and three exceptional venues: The Cashel Palace, The Shelbourne, an Autograph Collection, and Dromoland Castle.
WINNERS FOR BEST PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN AT THE CASHEL PALACE
CO. TIPPERARY, IRELAND
Congratulations to Waterlily Weddings Ireland for Winning the BEST Design Award
Congratulations to Wild Bunch Flowers for Winning the BEST Flatlay Award
Congratulations to Appleberry Atelier for Winning the BEST Stationery Award
Congratulations to Cup Cakes & Counting for Winning the BEST Wedding Cake Award
Congratulations to Courtney Davidson Photography for Winning BEST Photography
Waterlily Weddings drew inspiration from a timeless love story that unfolds in a romantic Irish garden. Two young lovers lock eyes across a sea of pink roses, their hearts captured in a single moment. Soon, tender letters are exchanged, vows of affection are shared, and they agree to meet for tea beneath the blooms where it all began. Their story blossoms into a wedding in the castle garden—surrounded by family, joy, and the ethereal beauty of Ireland.
This rustic yet refined styled shoot took place at Cashel Palace, an 18th-century architectural masterpiece in the heritage town of Cashel. Overlooking the rolling farmland of County Tipperary and the iconic Rock of Cashel—one of Ireland’s most celebrated ancient sites of Celtic and medieval history—the palace was originally built in 1732 as the residence of the Archbishop of the Church of Ireland. Reopened in 2022 after meticulous restoration, Cashel Palace now stands as one of the country’s most coveted destinations for elegant weddings steeped in heritage and romance.
The shoot highlighted the property’s manicured gardens and its sophisticated art-filled interiors, showcasing the balance between history and modern elegance. It also featured Donoghue’s, the palace’s inviting pub, known for its locally brewed pints and the unmistakable warmth of Irish hospitality. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rock of Cashel, this venue beautifully unites Ireland’s storied past with the charm and sophistication of today’s modern wedding experience.
photography: Courtney Davidson Photography | event designer: Michelle Johnstone Clark, Waterlily Weddings | florals: Wild Bunch Flowers | stationery: Appleberry Atelier | cake: Cup Cakes & Counting | bridal gown: Milla London | makeup: Fiona Harrison Makeup | hairstylist: Vow to Wow Bridal Hair
venue: The Cashel Palace
