Wedding Colors: Copper, Silver, and Gold

There's nothing more romantic than building your big day around colors that celebrate your future. Each of these precious metals represents a milestone wedding anniversary: copper for seven years, silver for 25, and gold for 50.

This easy yet elegant idea transforms an often overlooked spot into a glowing focal point. For a gold-leaf effect, affix candy wrappers with silver backing to the outsides of glass hurricanes using spray adhesive, then pop in pillar candles. You'll need: Sugarcraft foil wrappers in two sizes. Jamali Garden Supplies glass cylinders and candles. Krylon spray adhesive Amazon.com.

If these pretty petals appear too good to be true, take a closer look. Mother Nature provided the chrysanthemums, carnations, button mums, English daisies, and dusty miller. We added the faux finish by spritzing some blooms with gold and silver floral paint, and dipping others into metallic glitter.

The techniques that illuminated your bouquet and guest book display can be carried over to your tables. Contain the glimmering arrangements in golden vessels bearing silver number stickers, and surround them with smaller gold-leaf votives.

The details: Jamali Garden Supplies 6-inch brass cylinders were affixed with Chartpak 3-inch vinyl numbers, duall.com. Martha Stewart Collection with Wedgwood "Ribbon Stripe" dinner plates and "Bracelet" glasses, both macys.com, were set with Wallace "Euro Beads" gold flatware, horchow.com. MS Designs gold-plated bracelets were used as napkin rings, wholesalebangles.com, to hold Deborah Rhodes "All Over Metallic" napkins, email to order.

Delicious caramels come wrapped and ready to go into gift boxes. Embellish with strips of gold-, silver-, or copper-colored tape, and add a custom tag for a personal touch. You'll need: Charentes butter caramels, Crossings, 800-209-6141. Sophie's Favors gift boxes. Paper Source silver tissue paper. Nasco metallic Mylar craft tape pack, robertscrafts.com. ArtEmboss copper foil tape. 3M copper foil shielding tape and EMI aluminum foil tape, both Amazon.com. ForYourParty.com custom tags.

Create this slick display by affixing vinyl Helvetica number stickers to calligraphed ivory escort cards, and add a strip of metallic tape to the sides, top, or both. Secure the cards (in alphabetical order) to a piece of heavyweight silver-colored poster board with tape set on the diagonal. For an artistic touch, tuck the corners of some cards into the board (use a craft knife to create slits). Display the sign during the cocktail hour; cards slide out easily so guests can take them along. You'll need: Chartpak 1-inch vinyl numbers, duall.com. Crane & Co. escort cards, V841301A. Nasco metallic Mylar craft tape pack. ArtEmboss copper foil tape, robertscrafts.com. Canford card stock in metallic silver, NY Central Art Supply, 800-950-6111.

Like this calligraphy? It was created by Diva Pyari of Linea Carta. For more information, log onto linea-carta.com.

For a contemporary twist on a classic libation, pour some bubbly into a stemless flute and garnish it with a single golden raspberry. Serve with a napkin that bears your married monogram in rich gold ink. Try ForYourParty.com monogrammed cotton napkins.

Offer these petits fours as a surprise at the end of the evening, long after the wedding cake has been devoured. Kaju Katri, a diamond-shaped Indian confection of cardamom-laced cashew paste covered with edible silver foil, can be bought in advance, sukhadia.com. Whip up the spun-sugar cream puff and mini opera cake (a chocolate-and-coffee-filled French pastry with a sliver of gold leaf) yourself, or pass the how-tos to your caterer.

Turn your friends on to one of these metallic numbers -- there's a style to suit everyone and a color for each variation of the palette. No matter which one you choose, they will consider themselves lucky to wear it on your wedding day (and long after).

The details (from left): Rachel Roy New York "Wall Print" silk dress, neimanmarcus.com. 57 Grand "Riverside" cap-sleeve dress, shown with Marc Jacobs crystal Mary Janes, 212-343-1490, and Janis by Janis Savitt ball necklace, bergdorfgoodman.com. Reem Acra wrap dress. Watters Maids satin dress #6210, shown with Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. "Wave" necklace. Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani asymmetric dress, shopbop.com, shown with Kara Ross "Figure Eight" chain necklace, Henri Bendel, 800-423-6335.

Metal is a nice departure from gems and pearls. Consider the playful yet sophisticated options shown here. Each pair makes a thoughtful bridesmaid gift. The details: Dean Harris hexagon earrings, barneys.com. McTeigue & McClelland "Dandelion Puff" earrings, mc2jewels.com. Alexis Bittar "Miss Havisham Collection" clip earrings, alexisbittar.com

.

All kinds of shine -- from subtle to standout. From the top left:

• Row 1: Christian Louboutin "Lili Marlene" pump.
• Sang A "Flash" leather clutch.
• Badgley Mischka "Randall" peep-toe, perfectdetails.com.
• Row 2: Nicole Miller Collection satin clutch.
• Row 3: Moyna clutch.
• Jennifer Behr crystal belt.
• Kotur "Candela" minaudiere, Neiman Marcus Dallas, 800-937-9146.
• Judith Leiber "Alleta" clutch.
• Row 4: Giuseppe Zanotti pump with Swarovski brooch.
• Row 5: Marchesa clutch with quartz clasp, Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757.
• Lia Terni "Feather" hair comb.
• Row 6: Pink by Paradox London bag.