About The Styled Challenge
The Styled Challenge by Southern Bride is a celebrated design competition for Wedding Planners and Event Designers, where teams bring a fictional couple’s love story to life through an original, elevated wedding concept.
Hosted alongside Styled SHOOTS by Southern Bride in select cities worldwide, the event offers stunning photography coverage of every detail. Participating designers are guaranteed publication in Southern Bride’s print and digital editorial spreads. Photographers also provide galleries for your marketing, portfolio, and submissions.
Participation is complimentary—so gather your dream team and show the world what you can do.
SEE WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT
Pages in Print
Social Media Posts
Months Vendor Listing
EVERYONE GETS PUBLISHED!
Getting published in a wedding magazine is a total game-changer for vendors! It’s like earning a stamp of approval from the industry itself—instantly boosting credibility and putting their work in front of thousands of engaged couples ready to be inspired. It’s not just about exposure; it’s about being the expert everyone’s talking about! Plus, magazine features last way longer than social posts—living on as cherished keepsakes and searchable online content for years. It’s a golden opportunity.
ONE Photography Winner will be selected per design team. The BEST Photographer Winners will be announced 2-4 weeks after each event and announced via social media. Winners will also receive an email notification of their win that will also include an official Styled SHOOTS by Southern Bride BEST Photographer Badge as an accolade. All design spaces paired with the Best Photographer will be published on SouthernBride.com and social media.
Disclaimer: Photographers must release images to Southern Bride and all participating vendors. Southern Bride and all its vendors must provide photo credit on all images they use, whether for print, websites, or social media.
BENEFITS OF THE STYLED CHALLENGE
If selected to compete, you already deserve to be published, so CONGRATULATIONS! Each of your vendors can expect the following
Your Crown Jewel Southern Bride Magazine Feature!
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Achieve Digital Domination With Your SouthernBride.com Feature!
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Connect With Dream Clients FREE for 6 Months With Our Featured Listing!
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Massive Social Reach Unlocked!
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Experience The Ultimate Video Showcase on Southern Bride YouTube!
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IF SELECTED FOR THE COMPETITION:
Step 1: Design Three Spaces + a Flatlay
Each team is assigned a venue and a fictional couple’s love story to inspire your wedding concept. You’ll style three separate areas plus a detail-rich flatlay, all within the same design theme. Think of it as your wedding world-building moment.
Step 2: Assemble Your Dream Team
Grab your most talented vendor besties—Wedding Planners, Event Designers, Florists, Rentals, Stylists—whoever brings the wow. Choose wisely: There are individual and team awards, and yes, the coveted Best Design Award is up for grabs!
Step 3: Bring the Vision to Life (on Camera)
Your full concept will be photographed and filmed during Styled SHOOTS by Southern Bride—a parallel event featuring pro photographers, videographers, and content creators also competing for Best Photography.
Step 4: Get Published & Promoted Everywhere
Every participating team is guaranteed multi-platform exposure:
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Southern Bride Magazine (print + digital)
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SouthernBride.com
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@southernbride, @StyledSHOOTSbySouthernBride, and Pinterest
Step 5: Celebrate at The Wrap Party
After the shoot, come party with us! The Wrap Party & Design Awards Ceremony is your time to mingle, network, and be celebrated. Every team walks away with an award, and every participant gets a personalized winner badge.
Step 6: Social Voting
Event reels will be posted on Southern Bride’s Instagram and Facebook, where followers vote for their favorite design. It’s a friendly popularity contest, and it’s fun. So be sure to promote your work!
Step 7: Be a Star of the Mini-Series 🎥
This isn’t just a competition—it’s a whole series! Catch your work and your interview on The Styled Challenge Mini-Series on Southern Bride’s YouTube Channel. Share your episode with clients, followers, and industry contacts!
Step 8: Elevate Your Online Presence
Enjoy a complimentary 6-month Featured Vendor Listing on SouthernBride.com, linking directly to your digital design feature for easy sharing + client traffic.
If selected
The following MUST be submitted within 2 weeks to styledchallenge@southernbride.com by the Team Leader
- 20-30 Inspiration Images
- A brief description of your design, 250-300 words
- A 2 – 4 minute video about you/your company, why you became a wedding planner/designer. Include your most unique request by a couple and why you are excited about participating in The Styled Challenge by Southern Bride – Recorded horizontally.
- A Bio and headshot
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
A dream collaboration with Southern Bride! Organized, communicative, and helpful. Team calls were efficient, vendor sourcing seamless. The event was punctual, fostering lasting industry connections. Exposure was invaluable, and the outcome exceeded expectations. Highly recommend!
Kendall Melissa Erlenbush
Napa Valley, CA
Cashel Palace loved collaborating with Southern Bride on The Styled Challenge. The process was positive, welcoming talented vendors. The resulting images beautifully showcased our hotel. It was enjoyable, and we made wonderful new industry friendships. A truly rewarding partnership.
Karen Fleming
Ireland
Nashville’s Styled Challenge was amazing! We loved designing our unique concept. The event was well-run, photography stunning, and the award ceremony a blast. Collaborating with top vendors was incredible. A fantastic opportunity to showcase creativity and network. Highly recommend!
Sarah Miller
Nashville, TN
Awards
Team Awards
Overall Best Design Award
This design team will be recognized and awarded for their exceptional work. Their “over-the-top” designs will elicit a sense of amazement, showcasing their attention to detail and dedication to crafting a perfect balance throughout.
The Influencer Award
Awarded to the team that best demonstrates innovation, trends, and unconventional ideas and details.
The Bespoke Award
Awarded to the team that best exemplifies intentional, personalized artistry with custom-made details that elevated the venue space.
Lasting Impression Award
Awarded to the team that best creates an exceptional and memorable guest experience.
The Socialite Award
Awarded to the team that received the highest votes and interactions through our Styled Challenge Social Media Campaign on Facebook and Instagram. The winner TBA a week after the event.
Individual Awards
The Beauty Guru — Best Makeup Award
Awarded to the makeup artist whose talent and technique, made for a timeless beauty.
Lovin’ Spoonful Award — Best Wedding Cake
Awarded to the best baker for their exceptional wedding cake artistry.
Blooms Master Award — Best Florals
Awarded to the florist who has shown skillful artistry and an unwavering passion for blooms.
Flatlay Luxe Award — Best Stationery
Awarded to the stationer who best embodies the overall theme by skillfully bringing together all the details in a beautiful display.
FAQ
What will the judges be looking for?
- MINDSET. This styled shoot must not be your typical one. Challenge your creative self and get your team excited and involved. Think out-of-the-box and create something you have always wanted to do. This is your time to shine!
- When someone walks into the room or space, the first thought that should come to their mind is “WOW.”
- For the reception space, ensure that you have at least three tables set up for the best depth of field for photographs on tablescapes.
- Use your venues and get them involved. Many venues have items you can use out of ease and budget.
- Details are essential, and brides love them, so get creative.
- Consider additional details like specialty runners or aisle enhancements for the ceremony to lend a visual/theatrical boost.
What is the cost to participate?
There is NO CHARGE for participating in The Styled Challenge; however, you and your team are responsible for all of your design expenses.
Can vendors participate that are from another city?
We want to keep this a local event. You and your team MUST be within a drivable market of the event location.
What is each team responsible for designing?
Each team will be required to design three spaces in different ‘well-lit’ areas within the designated venue :
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Wildcard space – ex: Bar set-up, groom’s getting ready room, champagne/drink tower, unique seating chart, etc. –
Along with a flatlay – ex: bridal/groom’s flat lay, invitations, jewelry, shoes, veil, flowers, etc. – that ties your theme together. This is a fun place to get creative!
Who is responsible for getting the models, hair & makeup?
Each team leader is responsible for sourcing your models, hair, and makeup..
Are there any rules for what models we should get?
Southern Bride is inclusive of everyone. You will determine the models you would like to use. We suggest asking some of your past couples or fun-loving couples you know – the chemistry is always better for images. If this is not an option, professional models are always welcome.
Do we have to get our own fashion for the models?
Southern Bride is happy to assist with sourcing fashion; however, we want to feature as many local vendors as possible. If you have connections in your area, we suggest you use those first. We would love to showcase them!
Are there any no-no’s we need to know about?
Do not break down your space early. This is cause for competition elimination.
Are we allowed to have our own photographer and videographer come to shoot our space?
Yes, however, we ask that they wait until after all of our photographers, content creators, and videographers have come through so that they are not in their way, as we will be on a very strict time schedule.
Does everyone on my team need to produce a COI?
Yes, all venues require it.
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