Planning, Design & Florals by Jules Fern Events
Some weddings just remind you exactly why you love what you do, and Dominique and Simon’s was one of those days.
I instantly hit it off with Dominique during our first consultation call. She was joyful, incredibly trusting, and genuinely excited about every part of the planning process. Somewhere between our 10–15 minute voice memos (often sent at 11 p.m. thanks to her work schedule haha), late-night texts, and lots of ideas back and forth, we brought their celebration together in just a couple of months.
Dominique and Simon were already married, but it was still incredibly important to them to have a day where their families could come together and celebrate. Because of that, we weren’t tied to the traditional wedding-day timeline. Instead, we got to create something that felt completely like them: joyful, family-centered and sweet.
An Italian Summer at Stone Haven
From the beginning, Dominique knew she wanted their celebration to feel like an Italian summer. With her family’s Italian heritage, incorporating little nods to Italy throughout the day felt especially meaningful.
We landed on a palette of ivory, green, butter yellow, and a pop of raspberry pink. We wanted the Italian influence to feel subtle and elevated while still embracing the fun of a June celebration.
And then there was the texture. Dominique LOVES texture, so naturally, we used a lot of it.
Satin reception linens were paired with frilly organza “chargers” that Dominique made herself, while the cocktail tables were dressed in incredible ivory 3D rosette linens. Butter-yellow napkins were folded and tucked to resemble flowers at each place setting. The tables had layers upon layers of texture, but somehow, it all worked together beautifully.
Stone Haven was the perfect backdrop for it all. The European-inspired property is so intentionally designed that it truly doesn’t need much to make it beautiful. Every corner has been thoughtfully considered, which allowed us to build on what was already there rather than compete with it.
A Reception Designed for Connection
For the reception layout, we created a serpentine design using round tables. We wanted the room to be visually interesting, but even more importantly, we wanted it to encourage connection. This wasn't a day centered around traditions or formalities; rather, it was about gathering around a table with the people Dominique and Simon loved most.
The tables were intentionally kept a little simpler when it came to florals. We used delicate pin-frog arrangements alongside candlesticks and candelabras, then wove lemons, limes, and bunches of green grapes organically throughout the tables. Rather than making the fruit feel overly styled, we scattered and clustered it among the flowers and candles as if it naturally belonged there.
Those subtle Italian touches continued throughout the entire celebration. Nothing screamed “theme.” Instead, every little decision helped tell the same story.
The Bouquet That Became The Accessory
And then... there was THE bouquet.
Dominique came to me with inspiration for an incredibly dramatic cascading bouquet, and this one quickly became one of my favorite floral pieces I've ever created (which is saying something, because I normally don't even love making cascading bouquets!)
We kept it completely monochromatic in the softest baby pink, using only peonies, calla lilies, and tulips with absolutely no greenery.
To achieve the shape Dominique wanted, I individually wired and wrapped more than 20 stems. By the time it was finished, the bouquet cascaded nearly two feet.
It wasn't just a bouquet. It was an accessory.
And seeing Dominique carrying it with her dress made every minute spent wiring those stems completely worth it.
Florals Inspired by the Setting
Throughout the rest of the floral design, we continued pulling inspiration from the Italian-summer concept without letting it become too literal. Olive branches were incorporated as a nod to the theme, and some of my large ivory terracotta vessels helped bring in that warm, old-world feeling.
For the reception space in the glass atrium, we created a grounded floral meadow that could later be repurposed for their worship service at the ceremony patio. Repurposing the installation allowed the flowers to have multiple moments throughout the day while creating a completely different look in each space.
A Celebration Without a Traditional Timeline
Because Dominique and Simon were already married, we had the freedom to rethink what their wedding day needed to look like.
And I LOVED it.
We began with a social hour in the lower lawn, where guests gathered for lawn games and time together. After everyone had arrived, Dominique and Simon made their grand entrance down the staircase to a crowd of cheering family and friends.
From there, they spent time taking family photos before everyone gathered around the tables for dinner.
Dinner brought in another intentional nod to the Italian-summer inspiration: wood-fired pizza made fresh on-site. And dessert might have been one of the coolest details of the entire day…a build-your-own tiramisu bar!!!
Guests dipped their own ladyfingers into espresso, layered them with cream, and finished their tiramisu with cocoa powder. Even the cocoa had a personalized touch: a custom D&S monogram was placed over each dessert before dusting the top, leaving their initials behind.
It was interactive, personal, delicious, and fit the celebration perfectly.
A Sunset Worship Service
After dinner and dessert, everyone gathered overlooking the Tennessee River for a sunset worship service.
There wasn't a traditional ceremony, processional, or set of wedding-day formalities. There were simply chairs, worship music, their families, and the two of them taking in the evening together.
Some guests sat. Others stood. And as the sun began to set over the river, everyone worshipped together.
It was simple, incredibly sweet, and it felt completely true to what the entire day had been about.
Family. Faith. Connection. Joy.
One of Those Weddings
There are weddings where you walk away loving the design, and then there are weddings where you walk away loving the people.
With Dominique and Simon, I got both.
Getting to know Dominique throughout the planning process was genuinely one of my favorite parts of this wedding. She trusted my ideas, got excited right alongside me, and approached the entire process with so much gratitude and joy. When she finally saw everything together on the wedding day and loved it as much as I hoped she would, it was the best feeling.
And then she sent me the sweetest voice memo after the wedding that made me cry.
This celebration reminded me why I love doing this - for the couples for whom it matters. Not because every napkin needs to sit perfectly or every flower needs to be in exactly the right place, but because all of those little decisions eventually create the setting for something much bigger.
A room full of people you love. A table everyone can gather around. A sunset spent worshipping together. And a day that actually feels like you.
Dominique and Simon's celebration was joyful, family-centered, and sweet from beginning to end, and getting to help bring it to life as both their planner and florist was such a gift.
Kind Words
“Julie and her team are THE BEST! Truly, from start to finish, she was the best person I could have asked for to make my day come together. I had the inspo, but I needed someone to understand my vision and bring it to life on the day where I did not need to be present. I hired her as my florist as well and talked through what was realistic for what I wanted and how much I wanted to spend. She made thoughtful suggestions and even made mockups and mood boards online for me to go look at since I’m a very visual person. She truly went above and beyond throughout my whole process while also reassuring me when I had my overwhelmed moments. Her team on my day was incredibly kind and helpful. They all truly nailed my vision and brought all of the small details to life! Julie also made the bouquet of my dreams! To top it all off, she gifted us with the most thoughtful and kind personalized basket as a thank you. I have already told her this, but I actually felt like I was developing a friend in the planning process and missed talking to her when it was over haha. I have already recommended her to everyone and will continue to recommend her because she truly cares so much about her brides! You will not regret using her and her team with the experience that you get!”
Vendors
Photographer: Sun Reigh Photography
Venue: Stone Haven
Videographer: Agape Films
Catering & Desserts: The Classic Melt
Audio Guest Book: RINGG Chattanooga
HMU Artist: Brittanie Nicole Artistry
Stationery Artist: Katie Matthews Design
Wedding Planner & Florist: Jules Fern Events
