In any season, a graceful plant in full bloom presents a striking alternative to centerpieces of cut flowers. Here, the slender stalks of paperwhite narcissus tend to bend easily under the weight of their blossoms; to avoid, secure the stems with a length of raffia, then provide a party sash snipped from eyelet “Cutups” paper, $5.50/sheet, from Kate's Paperie, katespaperie.com. Bulbs, Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center, bulb.com. The Delft-inspired hand-painted cachepot, $65-$185, from J.D. Flessas Florist, 212-289-8484. For instant table numbers, a square cut from a celadon note card is cornered with gingham triangles. Table card, $.50 each and brown gingham self-stick corners (“Gingham Sampler” by Jolee's), $5/pack, both from Kate's Paperie.
A lineup of petite blooms is inspected by the guard pooch. From left: Lady Slipper orchid in sage green pot; mini daffodils in yellow pot, $8 each, both by Potluck Studios, potluckstudios.com, 413-442-8200. Delicate pink cyclamens nestle in rustic tree bark container, $30; vivid yellow primula in green iridescent pot, $8, both from Winston Flowers, winstonflowers.com. Nineteenth-century bench from Treillage Ltd., treillageonline.com, price upon request.
“Pretty in Pink” table setting is anchored by a virtual garden of hyacinths, planted in a silver-plate tub. Hyacinths, Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center. Tub, glasses and flatware, all from Broadway Famous Party Rentals, broadwayfamous.com. Tablecloth, $132, Williams-Sonoma, wiliamssonoma.com. Matelassé “Savannah Gardens” napkins, $12 each, Matouk, matouk.com. Moss mounded in white pots, $44/set of four, Oly, olystudio.com. French wire “Bisque” ribbon, Midori, 800-659-3049. Leaf-shaped place cards, $.50 each, cut from card stock from Kate's Paperie, katespaperie.com. Marzipan cherries, $45/lb., Fauchon, fauchon.com. Eighteenth-century screen, price upon request, Betty Jane Bart, 212-410-2702.
Pansy orchids in buckets, $14 each, by HomArt, homart.com.
Brilliant Idea: Pair blossoms with a pretty container chosen to complement your reception decor, then parade a row down a long table for compliments galore. Your little secret: Flowering plants are deceptively kind to the budget.
Deep purple pansies nestle in Chinese cachepot, J.D. Flessas Florist, 212-289-8484.
Brilliant Idea: You might consider the pots your mother has collected over the years as containers for plants—they're usually a unique mix. Or visit flea markets for six months, and scoop up every, say, pale green container you find.
Transplant hyacinths into small pots to use at each setting with guests' names, then everyone can take the flowers home as favors. Blue hyacinths, Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center, bulb.com. Glazed green pots, $8 each, Winston Flowers, winstonflowers.com.
Brilliant Idea: For a professional touch, buy a crate of fresh green moss to blanket the bare soil of each plant.
A regal striped amaryllis is perfectly paired with a pink and white Oriental cachepot, J.D. Flessas Florist, 212-289-8484. “Signature Series” monogrammed tumbler, $18, Abigails, abigails.net. Cocktail napkin, $8 each, Gracious Style, graciousstyle.com. Ribbon, Midori, 800-659-3049.
Brilliant Idea: Lavishly group them in a silver wine cooler or send guests home with a small potted favor to tuck in their garden—a growing reminder of the fun they had at your glorious wedding.
