There are some weddings where the flowers are the main event.
This wasn’t one of them.
Don’t get me wrong—we designed a lot of flowers for this wedding. But what made Shanel and Jonathan’s celebration so memorable wasn’t any single floral installation. It was how every design decision worked together to create an experience.
From the beginning, this wedding was about gathering. About bringing more than 200 guests together in a way that felt intentional, welcoming, and beautiful.
One of the first conversations we had wasn’t actually about flowers. It was about the ceremony layout.
Why We Chose a Circular Ceremony
Most ceremonies are designed to be watched.
This one was designed to be experienced.
Rather than placing guests in rows facing an altar, the ceremony was built around a circular seating arrangement with the couple positioned in the center. Guests surrounded the ceremony from every angle, creating an atmosphere that felt intimate despite the size of the celebration.
Once that decision was made, the floral design became much more interesting.
Instead of creating a traditional backdrop, we designed meadow-style florals that felt integrated into the space itself. Flowers surrounded the ceremony platform and flowed naturally through the aisle, creating the feeling that the celebration was unfolding within the landscape rather than in front of it.
Looking back, it remains one of my favorite ceremony designs we’ve created.
Designing the Reception
One of the things I loved most about working with Shanel was that she understood the importance of the overall design story.
The flowers mattered, of course, but so did the linens. So did the candlelight. So did the table layout.
Together, we spent time refining the reception design so that every element felt cohesive.
We ultimately landed on a combination of long farm tables and round tables, which helped create movement throughout the room while still feeling balanced. We also helped select a beautiful floral-patterned linen that brought texture and softness to the design without competing with the flowers.
The goal was for guests to walk into the space and immediately feel immersed.
A Favorite Detail: The Fruit
If I had to choose one of my favorite details from this wedding, it would be the fruit.
Persimmons, grapefruit, blackberries, and seasonal fruit were layered throughout the tablescape and bar alongside flowers and candlelight. The effect felt abundant, slightly unexpected, and reminiscent of an old European dinner party.
Fruit styling has become increasingly popular in editorial wedding design, but what I love about it is the texture it creates. Flowers are beautiful on their own, but incorporating natural elements like fruit makes a table feel alive.
It’s a detail guests may not immediately notice, but they absolutely feel it.
The Power of Candlelight
I will never stop believing that candlelight is one of the most underrated design elements at a wedding.
For Shanel and Jonathan’s reception, we incorporated sage taper candles throughout the space using brass candlesticks of varying heights.
As the sun set and dinner began, the room completely transformed.
The glow from the candles reflected off glassware, highlighted the fruit and florals, and created the kind of atmosphere that simply can’t be replicated with overhead lighting.
It’s one of those details that photographs beautifully but feels even better in person.
Thoughtful Guest Experiences
Shanel’s taste and design wasn’t limited to flowers and tablescapes.
Guests enjoyed a live jazz quartet during cocktail hour, a beautifully designed coffee cart, and a stunning mille-feuille-inspired wedding cake. Every element felt carefully considered without feeling overly formal.
That balance can be difficult to achieve, but this wedding did it beautifully.
A Wedding That Felt Like Them
At the end of the day, my favorite weddings are the weddings where every decision feels intentional.
Shanel and Jonathan’s wedding was exactly that.
From the Assyrian traditions that began the day at Shanel’s family home to the immersive ceremony layout, candlelit reception, and thoughtfully layered tablescapes, every detail contributed to a celebration that felt personal, welcoming, and completely reflective of who they are.
It was an honor to be part of bringing it to life.
Here’s some of our other favorite images.
Vendor Team
Venue | Quincy Lake Farms
Planning | Jo Harris Events
Photography | Marilyn Days Photography
Floral Design & Styling | Erica Gravel Design
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