Looking to throw an ultraromantic celebration? Think luxurious lace and vases bursting with country-garden blooms. And for a contemporary affair, consider a jazzy mix of bold patterns and high-contrast colors. Or perhaps you're all about simple pleasures. Then a no-fuss reception with an inviting, uncluttered table and colors tied to the great outdoors could be for you. Here, we've served up all three options, each packed with cool, creative and downright beautiful ideas! —Paula Rackow
Romantic: Mix colors that don't shout with poetic touches suited to a princess
A dainty delft palette makes this three-tier wedding cake by Ellen Baumwoll of Bijoux Doux, bijouxdoux,com, a classic. Simplicity silverplate cake knife (and server, not shown), $29.95, by Beverly Clark Collection, beverlyclark.com; silverplate plateau/cake stand, $240, by Reed & Barton, reedbarton.com.
Romantic: Mix colors that don't shout with poetic touches suited to a princess
Some fabrics are poetic, like flowered chintz and French damask, but nothing's as delicate as lace. We covered our table and chairs with this feminine material—the seat covers are actually cotton lace Tuscany table runners, $30 each, by Saro, saro.com.
Romantic: Mix colors that don't shout with poetic touches suited to a princess
The look of lace is also evoked in the martini glasses' silvery filigree, $100 per pair, by Preston Bailey, prestonbailey.com; white damask etched cylinder hurricanes, $80 each, by Tozai Home, tozaihome.com; silver acrylic Baroque tray, $40, by Spisani by The Home, James! Collection, homejameseasthampton.com.
Bonus Cocktail: Cosmo Bleu
2 oz. Alizé Bleu liqueur
1 oz. premium citrus vodka
Splash of white cranberry juice
Combine liqueur, vodka and juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Romantic: Mix colors that don't shout with poetic touches suited to a princess
An abundance of blossoms is de rigueur at a romantic reception; our overstuffed arrangements favor ultrafeminine flowers that are delicate, ruffly and full-blown. And we revel in petals, so we’ve even rented plates with posies. Bouquet dinner plate, Park Avenue flatware and blue Irish linen tablecloth, all available to rent at Party Rental Ltd, partyrentalltd.com. Cotton-lace Tuscany tablecloth, $130, and linen-blend Mosaic napkins, $5 each, Saro, saro.com. Flowers by Sung M. Jung for Doro's Annex, 212-255-5639.
Romantic: Mix colors that don't shout with poetic touches suited to a princess
Since you're apt to prefer a fluid, script-like writing style, why not direct your guests to their tables with openwork doilies signed with a flourish? Four-inch paper doilies, $10.95 for 60 (package also includes 10" and 12" sizes, not shown), by Sur La Table, surlatable.com; calligraphy, Nancy Howell, nancyhowell.com.
Romantic: Mix colors that don't shout with poetic touches suited to a princess
Traditionalists wouldn't think of reserving their monogram for linens; they flaunt those initials throughout their wedding day. We trumpet that new identity in customized votive candle favors with Delphian font monogram and Enchantment border, $118.80 for 24, by Wonderful Graffiti, wonderfulgraffiti.com; silver Washington tray, available to rent at Party Rental Ltd, partyrentalltd.com.
Modern: Winks at pop and op art with cutting-edge color combos complete your party artistry
It's a mod, mod world, capped with a wedding cake by Lovin Sullivan Cakes, cakepower.com, transformed into abstract art. All you need is a photo of a work you admire and a professional who aspires to be the Picasso of pastrymakers. Ceramic Estate Collection cake stand, $24, by Pot Luck Studios, potluckstudios.com; silverplate Copenhagen cake knife (and pie server, not shown), $50, by Towle Silversmiths, towlesilver.com.
Modern: Winks at pop and op art with cutting-edge color combos complete your party artistry
A backward glance can seem avant-garde. Our sly nods to the '60s—sunny gerbera daisies, a favorite bloom of the Warhol set (left, mixed with ranunculus); pulsating prints that double as op art; walls clad in fringe—bring fun and whimsy to the reception. Black Midnight goblets, $30 for 12, and tall stemless wineglasses, $24 for 12, by Artland, artlandinc.com. White Rim and Black Rim dinnerware, Black Wood-Handled flatware, available to rent at Party Rental Ltd, partyrentalltd.com. Ceramic 10" vases with rings, $17 each, bowls with zigzag design, $19 each, all by Bo Concept, boconcept.com. Linen Hula napkin with wood rings, $20, Nuko Creation, 732-542-0200. Flowers by Dane B. Kalloo of DK Designs, 718-886-4738.
Modern: Winks at pop and op art with cutting-edge color combos complete your party artistry
Striking black-and-white graphics on luggage-tag escort cards tell guests that this event is as sophisticated as the star couple. If you use attention-grabbing prints, don't overdo it; we’ve tempered these with solid-colored china and stemware. Porcelain Sculpture vase, $120, by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Ritzenhoff, ritzenhoffusa.com. Octagon luggage tags, $20 each, by Decorative Things, decorativethings.com. Flowers by Dane B. Kalloo of DK Designs, 718-886-4738.
Modern: Winks at pop and op art with cutting-edge color combos complete your party artistry
Groovy brides love industrial materials like plastic; here, we chose laminated trays with a high design quotient. Black Midnight martini glasses, $10 for 4, by Artland, artlandinc.com. Octagon tray, $74, by Decorative Things, decorativethings.com.
Bonus Cocktail: Pallini Martini
1½ oz. Pallini Limoncello liqueur
1½ oz. Boru Citrus vodka
1½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
Lemon or lime slice (garnish)
Combine liqueur, vodka and juice with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon or lime slice.
Natural: Verdant hues beautifully tint your table, stationery and even cocktails
The cake is the perfect element for declaring your woodsy ways. Our tiers sport growth rings and a (family) tree topper, with gum-paste leaves bearing loved one's names. Wedding cake, by Rachel Thebault of Tribeca Treats, tribecatreats.com; Khaki cake plates, available to rent at Party Rental Ltd., partyrentalltd.com; silverplated pewter French Twist cake server, $108, Mariposa, mariposa-gift.com.
Natural: Verdant hues beautifully tint your table, stationery and even cocktails
You're a casual couple, so it's simple tableware and votives for you. Still, this is a celebration, so introduce a few luxe touches, such as specially folded napkins and a duchess satin ribbon table runner. And we used purple tulips and lavender napkin embroidery—to make those grassy shades pop. Large glass hurricane, $99, and glass centerpiece, $99; both Vintage Garden Collection, by Marquis by Waterford, waterford.com. Khaki salad plates, Vanilla dinner plates, Beacon Hill flatware, handblown water glasses, frosted votive candleholders, Tortola Faille tablecloth; all available to rent at Party Rental Ltd, partyrentalltd.com. Cotton Lavender embroidered napkins, $40 for set of four, by Statements by C & W Imports, 800-267-9796.
Natural: Verdant hues beautifully tint your table, stationery and even cocktails
Leaves are a wonderful way to incorporate the great outdoors. Going for elegance? Keep them discreet: woven as coasters, lining clear glass containers for flower arrangements, or drifting around the cake. Flared cocktail glass, available to rent at Party Rental Ltd, partyrentalltd.com.
Bonus Cocktail: Green Swizzle
1 oz. Bacardi 8 Year Old rum
¾ oz. Velvet Falernum liqueur
¼ oz. Martini & Rossi dry vermouth
¼ oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. pineapple juice
Lime slice and/or pineapple wedge (for garnish)
Combine rum, liqueur, vermouth and juices with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime or pineapple.
Natural: Verdant hues beautifully tint your table, stationery and even cocktails
Show your ecological side. You can start by saving paper; our clever "place cards" double as containers holding sachet favors. Green Tea Berlingot sachet, $8, by L'Occitane en Provence, loccitane.com. Micro Green Mod paper bag, $2, Kate’s Paperie, katespaperie.com; calligraphy, by Nancy Howell, nancyhowell.com
