Twists on Traditional Wedding Ideas

A bride in white, a groom in a suit, a swag of garland, and a formal, candlelit dinner -- all the components of a classic wedding are in place, but here the entire affair takes a modern approach. That white dress? It's knee-length. His gray clothes are fitted. Rather than jasmine, the garland is fashioned from wood veneer backed with contact paper. And warm, blond-wood Scandinavian chairs (rental options vary) replace the standard gilded Chiavari models.She is wearing an Amsale Presents the Little White Dress "Madison" dress and an Amrita Singh "Charlotte" necklace (banglebangle.com). He is wearing a Shipley & Halmos blazer and pants (barneys.com).Register for these Wegner "Wishbone" chairs (roomandboard.com at MyRegistry.com.

From the silk-screened invite and response card right down to the program and matchbook, this is a complete suite. But many parts are printed on sheets of thin, flexible birch veneer in lieu of paper. (Other surfaces to consider? Fabric, vellum, or even Plexiglas.)

Ditto Paper stationery. Matchbooks printed by The Stationery Studio.

Give an heirloom brooch a newfangled look by attaching it to a wide piece of ribbon and wearing it as a cuff.

Brooch, General Whimsy.

Mark the occasion with a fragrance you've never worn before, like Hermes Poivre Samarcande.

Generations of brides have looked to their mothers and grandmothers for wedding day memorabilia. Let Dad or Grandpa have his day by wrapping a bow tie around the base of your bouquet.

The Pour La Victoire "Stella" shoes (Zappos.com) have all the classic nuptial markings -- white satin, decorative bow, peep toe -- but the sole is a vivid aqua.

Rather than an explosion of petals, consider a sculptural arrangement of veneer figure eights. Then intersperse stemless wineglasses among them; these low-slung globes let the taper candles shine.

Design Your Wall white contact paper. Northern Sheer Veneer birch veneer. Riedel wineglasses.

Years from now, you could flip through an album of well-wishes and scan all the handwritten names. Or you could flip the switch on your computer and watch your guests in action. Devote a corner of the event space to a video photo booth: Set up a digital camcorder, leave a movie clapper and dry-erase pens for guests to write their names (or tidings), and let them raise a glass and talk a blue streak. For a seamless background, hang a large white piece of fabric or paper.

Guests have come to expect a towering frosted confection. Another delicious option? This irresistible all-white dessert buffet. 

• Lemon-Cream Cheese Sandwich Cookies
• Ricotta-Filled Pizzelles
• Toasted-Marshmallow Milkshakes
• Coconut macaroons
• Pavlovas with Whipped Cream and White Currants
• Angel-Food Cake Roulade with Salted Caramel Cream
• Mini Greek-Yogurt Panna-Cotta Tarts
• Crossings calissons (800-209-6141)
• Mini Rum Bundt Cakes
• Arnold's Candies pillow mints (groovycandies.com) in Plastic Container City white baking-cup liners

A glass of bubbly may be the old standby, but that's not to say it can't be turned into a decadent cocktail. With an ounce of aquavit, a sugar cube, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a twist of zest, this Champagne sparkles with herbal sweetness.

Classic sugar-coated almond gifts, which signify fertility in many cultures, get a makeover when standard-issue tulle wrapping is traded in for loosely woven linen.

To make, place the nuts in a small box, wrap with a square of fabric, and tie the corners into a knot. Slip in an "enjoy" banner to finish.

Crossings dragees (800-209-6141). Clear-Bags "Crystal Clear Boxes" PLB104. Grayline Fabrics open-weave linen in color 3.

This ritual, which has roots in ancient Egypt, is the centuries-old way to send newlyweds off to a long life of prosperity. But you can get the same heartfelt message across without, well, creating a slippery mess. Birch-veneer banners are fun to wave as the new Mr. and Mrs. leave for the honeymoon.  

She is wearing a Chris Benz "Molly" dress (Shopbop.com). Use New York Central Art Supply 3/8-inch dowels (800-950-6111) and Northern Sheer Veneer birch veneer to make the flags.