Direct a blockbuster celebration by mixing equal parts glamour and welcome. To start, scout the right location. We chose Malibu. A crystalline pool framed by a chorus line of palms and a heavenly horizon sets the stage for a swanky soirée. The pool is filled with a flotilla of candles, illuminated by rope lighting and hurricane lamps. Footed glass hurricanes, by Indigo Design, available at Comerford Hennessy, comerfordhennessy.com. Floating candles, by Creative Candles, creativecandles.com. Rope lighting, from Contractors Choice Lighting, ccl-light.com.
Surrounding the pool, sleek, polished white Saarineen tables play a leading role, while floor pillows and clear yellow stools play a supporting role. Raffia umbrellas, Confetti Bay Umbrella Co. Stools, Oriac Design. Cotton floor pillows, Ikea, ikea.com.
Next, script a perfect opening. As the sun lingers lazily over the Pacific, tempt guests with an icy choice of shaken or stirred martinis in emerald green and cool blue. Serve them from a retro-styled chrome bar cart for a glam Hollywood touch. Chrome-wheeled bar cart, by Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com. Martini glasses, by Ikea, ikea.com. Cocktail shaker, by Calvin Klein Home, 212-292-9000. Pitcher, by Kim Seybert, kimseybert.com. Tumbler, Angela Adams, angelaadams.com.
Custom-engraved acrylic swizzle sticks feature your new initial and wedding dates.
Ice bucket, by Accent Décor at Foxgloves & Ivy, foxgloves.biz. Mini bottled water, by Saratoga Spring Water Co, saratogaspringwater.com. Loopy straws, by Oriental Trading Company, orientaltrading.com.
Round acrylic boxes that look like scattered spotlights stand in as contemporary escort cards. All that's needed to craft these witty messengers is a metallic marker and a game calligrapher—actually anyone gifted with stylish penmanship will find these circles easy to letter. Fill each compartment with a handful of opalescent confetti—guests love an effervescent ending. Boxes, from Industrial Plastics Supply Co. Lettering, XYZ Ink, xyzinc.com.
On the table, acrylic tiles arranged into a mosaic recall a Mondrian painting and serve as a pretty and practical table runner. Scattered atop the color blocks, square-glass vases are lined with dysembachila leaves, then densely packed with ranunculus and anemones. Acrylic tiles and napkin rings, from Industrial Plastics Supply. Square vases, by Accent Décor at Foxgloves & Ivy, foxgloves.biz. Flowers, by Tom Simmons and Barbara Meyers for Scentiments Flowers, scentimentsflowers.com.
Glass candlesticks reach for the stars with slender tapers, and acrylic rings lettered with each guest's name cinch the turquoise-edged silk napkins. Candlesticks, from Abigails, abigails.net. Candles, by Creative Candles, creativecandles.com. Silver-plate Triangle flatware, from Calvin Klein Home, 212-292-9000.
One of the acrylic tiles is etched with the appropriate table number.
Acrylic chairs work equally well for the ceremony and to set around the table during the reception. Shell garlands in geometric shapes are tossed on the back of each chair.
Sea-blue menus are encased in cellophane and printed with a letterpress design. Menu, by Century Guild Press, centuryguilepress.com.
Brilliant idea: Design a Playbill or mini movie poster in lieu of a more traditional wedding program. The production would star you and your fiancé—but be sure to list all supporting roles (from best man to flower girl) in the credits.
In a nod toward California health food, simple shrimp hors d'oeuvres are garnished with citrus accents. Catering, by Gregorio Stephens for Nobu Malibu, nobumatsuhisa.com.
There's no better final act than an all-star cake of tinted white chocolate and sugar bubbles, all atop a stage of translucent acrylic. Cake, by Cakework, cakework.com.
A pair of silver flutes meant to become a favorite keepsake make a cameo appearance to toast your blessings alongside a bottle of California's finest bubbly (serve California sparkling wine instead of Champagne). Sparkling wine, by J Wine Company, jwine.com. Champagne flutes, Links of London, linksoflondon.com. Trays and coasters, from Industrial Plastics Supply.
When it's time to sashay into the sunset, rev up your getaway in a sexy sky-blue convertible dressed in silvered threads. A waterfall of Mylar ribbons cascades from the trunk, billowing in the breeze. Spell out your new status with a temporary decal—the lettering was designed by a calligrapher and then laser-cut from adhesive vinyl. Sports car, 2002 Thunderbird, by Ford, ford.com. Custom decal and Mylar curtain, from Industrial Plastics Supply Co. Lettering, by Stephannie Barba Calligraphy, stephanniebarba.com.
