Urns piled high with apples, hydrangeas, and peonies reflect summer's bounty. This reception was shot on location at Wave Hill, NYC, 718-549-3200. Event design, Michelle Rago Ltd., michelleragoltd.com.
Antiquey square tables rather than standard rentals lend luxe, old-fashioned charm. Tablecloths and cushions in traditional shirting fabrics set the stage for a crisp, fresh lawn party. Tables, Frank Alexander, 212-399-3929. Chairs, china, crystal, and flatware, Party Rental Ltd., 888-774-4776. Fabric, New York Elegant Fabric, 212-302-4980.
A boutonniere of hydrangeas and pieriun is perfectly preppy. Boutonniere, Michelle Rago Ltd., michelleragoltd.com.
A croquet theme enhances a genteel vibe: Table names are rules of the game (like Hoop).
At each setting, place cards explain the rules. Centerpieces of peonies, hydrangeas, and cymbidium orchids sit on a classic American craft. Hob-nail cakestand, L.E. Smith, 800-LE-SMITH. Place-card holders, Wedding Things, weddingthings.com. Flowers, Michelle Rago Ltd., michelleragoltd.com.
Brown type looks handsome on pink invites, about $500 for 100, era//404 Creative Group, era404.com.
Tied with an ultrafeminine polka-dot ribbon (which echoes the patterns in the table linens), the bridal bouquet is a fragrant mix of peonies, sweet pea and hydrangeas. Bouquet, Michelle Rago Ltd., michelleragoltd.com. Ribbon, Offray, offray.com. Wedding dress, about $3,100, Christos, christosbridal.com.
Croquet is a perfect cocktail-hour conversation starter. The chair cushions match the tablecloths; grasscloth parasols and a romantic peony-topped chiffon canopy provide shelter from the afternoon sun. Fabric background and canopy, Waverly, waverly.com. Chiffon, B & J Fabrics, 212-354-8150. Hamper, The Container Store, containerstore.com. Parasols, Lippincott, lippincottstyle.com.
Bamboo frames spiff up getaway bikes from Bamboo 54, bamboo54.com.
The square layers of this three-tiered cake mimic the shape of the tables. A vanilla cake is iced with fondant, filled with buttercream and decorated with royal icing. Cake, $1,200, serves 100, Confetti Cakes, confetticakes.com.
