White Wedding Reception

July 27, 2011

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Sweet Relief

It sounds like the word for a sphinx's riddle, but anaglypta is actually the name of an embossed wallpaper the Victorians used to mimic costlier pressed plaster or tin. These days, it makes an easy centerpiece when affixed to flower-filled cylinder vases in varying sizes. Cut the paper -- available in many motifs (ours are from FYHome) -- to cover the vase, overlapping slightly. Wrap the piece around the vase, securing both ends with strong double-sided tape. Flowers by Naomi deManana.

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Memorable Decorations

Credit: Mikkel Vang

Silvery garlands of satin ribbon festoon walls and the reception table. In the center of the table, a large footed vase filled with river rocks holds bejeweled branches -- their beads were attached by hand.

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Lacy Candle Centerpiece

Credit: Antonis Achilleos
How-To

Establish a gentle ambience with centerpieces that glow like moonlight. Enchanting for an evening reception, these votives are made with clear glass cylinders (we used several sizes), white lace, and white candles.

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Paper-Bag Centerpieces

Credit: Wende LLT. Webber

Vases of varying sizes, shapes, and materials can be unified with mere paper bags to serve as fresh, bright centerpieces at a casual wedding. Slip the plain white lunch bags over the containers and cinch the tops loosely with ribbons tied in bows.

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Glorious Peonies

Credit: Charles Schiller

Large, open peonies settle into nests of twisted fern vines. Inside each basket is a shallow plastic bowl of water (for extra stability, use a wire grid to hold stems in place). A smaller nest atop the napkin at each place holds a more closed flower, while its stem sits in a water tube concealed within the nest.

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Classic Centerpiece

Lilacs, garden roses, jasmine, and fritillaria, plus pale-green hellebores, create an arrangement that would have felt spot-on in an Edith Wharton novel.

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Tent Reception

Credit: Andrea Fazzari

This simple decor works perfectly for a casual outdoor reception.

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Custom-Tailored Lights

Credit: Catherine Gratwicke

These charming candleholders illuminate any space with lovely pinpoints of light. And because they are ''stitched'' on a sewing machine, you can make multiples in a single sitting.

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Light Columns

Check out these excellent decorations for an outdoor reception from Martha Stewart Living: Geometric "topiaries" inspired by the paper sculptures of Isamu Noguchi stand on both sides of a swimming pool. A few white plastic beach balls tied to weighted lines float in the pool like pearls cut loose from a giant strand (for safety, never cover the surface of a pool with a large number of balls).

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All-White Buffet

Credit: Gentl and Hyers

A menu of tempting hors d'oeuvres and desserts, continuing your all-white theme, is perfect for a casual reception.

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Click-and-Print Banner

Get the Alphabet Templates

Why save the traditional Just Married sign for your car-aided exit? Hang it up at your reception and you'll get more time to enjoy its message. Better yet, spell out your sentiments letter-by-letter using our alphabet templates.

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True Paper-Whites

Credit: Max Kim-Bee
How-To

In winter, when fresh blossoms may be harder to come by, these lush tissue-paper flowers are in full bloom. Their silver centers are actually Christmas balls, a nod to the season. Arranged at different heights in silver trumpet vases and mint julep cups, they bring whimsy to a formal reception table set in all white.

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Moss-and-Rose Centerpiece

Credit: Formula Z/S
How-To

This unusual, lush display is rustic and modern at once -- and inexpensive and easy enough to make yourself.

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See-Through Seating Cards

Leaning on an easel or hanging on a wall, a framed display of eyelet-inspired seating cards is charming.

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Lovely Lace

Credit: JIM FRANCO

Candlelight flickers behind filigreed screens made from rectangular doilies (the candles are enclosed in glass holders for safety).

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