Spring Wedding Themes: Pretty Pastels

Iridescent runners of pale-pink silk shantung overlay an off-white tablecloth on this candlelit setting inspired by formal 1940s dinner parties.

All you need is wood veneer paper to turn plain glass vases into perfectly matched pieces that can hold flowers or candles.

In lieu of pricey floral arrangements, display sleek tapers in a variety of shapely glass candlesticks.

When topped with shimmering votive candles, a mirror becomes a pool of reflective light that casts a glow onto the reception tables.

Joyous bursts of color dance above a table, imparting a cheerful radiance to a rehearsal dinner or casual reception.

Weddings are full of flowers, but sometimes the littlest arrangements make the biggest impact.

Before the meal, guide guests to their seats with the help of a beribboned bulletin board.

Paper butterflies alight on the rims of Champagne glasses, staying still just long enough for guests to find their seats.

These satin, grosgrain, and taffeta ribbons are available in subtle and unusual colors -- French blue, pale pink, oyster, celadon, lavender, silver, and buff. Use them to tie on napkins, finish off favor boxes or to wrap around centerpiece vases.

Both the miniature calla lilies and the ranunculuses display touches of pink and green in this fan-shape bouquet, which is romantic yet still modern.

From collars of matching organza, this quartet of sweet peas emerges.

A bouquet of Cafe au Lait dahlias in pink, salmon, and yellow.

Small tailored garden roses in buff set the stage for dramatic pink French garden roses. Clematis buds and vines tumble out between them.

Lilies-of-the-valley evoke water droplets trickling over hydrangea florets, which are plucked from a single bloom and wired to form a loose grouping.

Ruffly pink azaleas and ivory sweet peas blend seamlessly in this bride's bouquet. For the bridesmaids, miniature roses and budding double kalanchoe peek out from clusters of ranunculus; lollipop-shaped miniature mums look sweet with wax flowers, hyacinth florets, single kalanchoe, and a jacquard cuff with pink ribbon binding the stems.

The palette for the bridal bouquet is more vivid, with pink garden roses (some barely budding, others full and layered like a tulle skirt), pink-tipped hydrangeas, and variegated geranium leaves, which add fullness.

Pink gerbera daisies are the inspiration for this lively cake.

A garden of roses in pink, peach, and yellow encircles a full-size cake.

At first glance, this cake appears to be monochromatic, but the edges of all of the gum-paste petals are actually brushed with powdered coloring in a mix of moss green and pale pink.

The edible pleats here recall the crinolines beneath a cream puff of a wedding dress.

A majestic design turns a bit coquettish when it's festooned with macaroons -- the quintessential French treats -- and dressed up in flirty pink.

The fondant-covered box lids are the actual cake here, and the bottoms, also wrapped in fondant, are cake risers. The whole package is tied together with a taffeta ribbon, while each tier is edged with gold luster dust and matching royal-icing dots.

Humble supplies can take on an elegant air: Monogrammed stickers and crepe paper decorate clear plastic tubes filled with Champagne-bubble candies.

Invite guests to help themselves to these yummy favors. Cellophane bags printed with the couple's initial and wedding date are filled with delicious goodies including pink-chocolate wafers, pillow mints, strawberry puffs, jelly beans, candy-coated milk-chocolate pieces, and tinted rock candy.

These marshmallows are imported from Paris and, as you might suspect, they're not your typical campfire fare.

The message on this scroll was calligraphed, then photocopied onto the paper. Placed on a plain favor box filled with candy, it makes a lovely and inexpensive favor for your guests.

Demure and delicate, African violets are pretty little packages and, with minimal effort, can make a dazzling display.