Pretty Pairing: A Powder Blue and Nude Color Palette

This pretty pairing was inspired by the sky at daybreak, when soft shades of blue and nude blend together like watercolors. It's peaceful and uplifting, and, above all, it represents a fresh start. Here's how to incorporate it into your day.

Give your head table the royal treatment by hanging a canopy of sheer, cloudlike fabric overhead (ours is B&J Fabrics Indian cotton, bandjfabrics.com). To play up the draped effect, lay pieces of sky-blue linen across the table from chair to chair, to serve as both runners and place mats. Anchor with centerpieces of dahlias, 'Majolica' and spray roses, and porcelain vine to bring the ethereal colors to life. These arrangements are by Saipua (saipua.com).

Introduce your palette early by sending out an invitation suite that incorporates your colors and hints at what's to come. On the big day, carry the theme through to the smallest details, like this escort card idea.

Traditionally, wedding stationery is white or ivory paper with black script or block lettering -- no color. But this suite by Elum (elumdesigns.com), with its light blue background and mix-and-match fonts, turns tradition on its head. The overall effect is every bit as timeless but has extra panache.

This clever display makes it easy for guests to find their seats. To create it, cover an art canvas with silk dupioni fabric, then glue as many vintage buttons as there are invitees onto the front (the variety shown at right is from Tinsel Trading Company, tinseltrading.com). Print names and table numbers onto pieces of card stock, and tape (or glue) a loop of blue embroidery ribbon to the back of each one. Hang the cards from the buttons, and display the canvas on an easel during the cocktail hour.

Every bride needs a something blue, and these refreshingly feminine flowers and gemstones offer just that. Your dress will undoubtedly steal the show, but these details make an equally beautiful impression.

Porcelain-vine berries and delphinium add a pop of pale periwinkle to this fluttery arrangement of cafe au lait-colored roses, ranunculus, dahlias, and red-veined pitcher-plant leaves. Tied with a long, trailing bow of gauze and silk ribbon, it looks utterly romantic. 

Flowers by Saipua (saipua.com). Mokuba New York 20mm silk-taffeta ribbon #1549, color 6 (212-869-8900). M&J Trimming 80mm crinkle-tulle ribbon in ivory (mjtrim.com).

The jewelry you wear down the aisle is the best kind of keepsake, because you can slip it on again and again. Each of these precious pieces makes a memorable gift, whether you're treating yourself, your mom, or your maids. 

Kendra Scott "Trista" chandelier earrings with blue quartz (kendrascott.com). 

Becky Kelso necklace with pink moonstone and ring with mocha quartz (both ABC Carpet & Home, 212-473-3000). 

Melissa Joy Manning necklace with Peruvian opal, green chalcedony, and aquamarine drops (melissajoymanning.com). 

Penny Larsen Jewelry bracelet with moonstone and frosted topaz (pennylarsenjewelry.com). 

Kotur "JB Renna Porto-fino" straw clutch (kotur.com).

Outfit your most adorable attendants in sweetly coordinating pieces that will guarantee they look and feel as special as they are to you.

1. Elephantito "Paris" flats (elephantito.com). 

2. Rachel Riley flower-embellished cardigan (rachelriley.com). 

3, 4, and 5. Leon "Vick" suspender shorts and "Vince" shirt, and Atlanta loafers (springflowerschildren.com). 

6. Brooks Brothers chinos (brooksbrothers.com). 

7. Vineyard Vines gingham tie (vineyardvines.com). 

8 and 9. Crewcuts sweater (crewcutkids.com) over a Rachel Riley check shirt (rachelriley.com). 

10. Marie Chantal tights (mariechantal.com). 

11. Crewcuts silk taffeta dress (crewcutkids.com) with Mokuba New York 20mm ribbon #1549, color 27 (212-869-8900). 

12. TutusChic tutu (etsy.com).

Welcome loved ones to their seats with a feast for the eyes and the taste buds: Miniature baguettes double as seat assignments.

For a twist on the classic place card, have your caterer or local bakery make a tiny baguette for every guest. Designate a friend or bridesmaid to pick them up on the morning of the wedding, then wrap them in squares of light-blue parchment paper, attach name tags with twine, and place one atop each table setting.

To complement your palette and put those tasty baguettes to good use, display a selection of local cheeses at every table. Identify each type with a name flag to help guests keep track of their favorites. 

Clockwise from top left: 

Gorgonzola Dolce (murrayscheese.com) is a cow's-milk variety that's milder than most Gorgonzolas. 

Pleasant Ridge Reserve (murrayscheese.com), made from Wisconsin cow's milk, is reminiscent of a nutty Gruyere. 

Stilton (murrayscheese.com) is known for its rich blue veins. 

Sainte Maure (artisanalcheese.com) is a French goat cheese with a smooth, buttery flavor. 

Gres des Vosges (markys.com), a soft, creamy French Munster, is more pungent than American Muenster.

Stock your dessert bar with sugary childhood favorites -- marshmallows, rock candy, lollipops -- customized to match your day and meant to be gobbled up after dinner or taken home as favors.

Clockwise from top left: 

Baked marshmallows (bakednyc.com). 

Mehlenbacher's Taffy taffy sticks (mehlenbacherstaffy.com). 

Levity Gourmet Marshmallows vanilla marshmallows (levitygourmetmarshmallows.com). 

Groovy Candies rock candy (groovycandies.com). 

Arnaud Soubeyran almond nougat stick (Crossings, 800-209-6141). 

Pina Colada Twizzlers (Dylan's Candy Bar, 888-395-2676). 

Papabubble lollipop (papabubbleny.com). 

Groovy Candies clove stick candy (groovycandies.com). 

Diana Sproveri Lollibakes cake pops (dianasproveri.com).