Inspired by 19th-century fine white china that was shipped plain from France and trimmed with gold paint once it reached the United States, this white cake is dressed with metallic ribbons.

Grecian Gold headdresses made their mark during the Hellenistic period; here, they make for a fitting cake motif. Made of gum-paste flowers painted with gold luster dust, the wreaths, along with the Corinthian column-inspired tiers, turn this cake into a Greek fantasy. Encircled in real ribbon and topped with a Champagne coupe bubbling over with a necklace, of course.

Representing the union of two lives, a monogram is a natural for any reception. Here, gold dragees compose a single initial, set against a background of white.

Ribbons, hand-dyed in tea leaves, drift down the back of an A-line organza gown to give it a gilded touch.

In this formal, hand-engraved set, an embossed Georgian-style wreath and monogram connect the different items. Some of the icons are inked in gold; others are blind-embossed. On the invitation, menu, and place card, the gold is picked up in the beveled edge of the card stock.

Manzanita branches, with berry clusters attached, were sprayed gold and hung from ribbons. Threaded over them are wide ochre ribbons that hold calligraphed seating cards in place. The contrasting gold ribbon is anchored at intervals with fabric glue. Glittering millinery flowers add the final touch.

Calligraphy by Maria-Helena Hoksch.

A gorgeous grouping of mini phalaenopsis orchids and ocher garden roses, yellow tree peonies, fuzzy bunny tails, and millinery flowers feels as if it has just been picked from a field of dreams. A gold satin ribbon ties it all together.

For this gem of a favor, we nestled sparkly truffles into ring boxes.

Truffles, Promise Me Chocolate, promisemechocolate.com. Ring box (CR101), JewelrySupply.com.

A trio of chocolate bars gets an instant upgrade when wrapped in shiny foil and tied with metallic twine.

Bars, Li-Lac Chocolates, li-lacchocolates.com. Gold foil, by CK Products, from Country Kitchen Sweet Art, countrykitchensa.com. Twine, Tinsel Trading Company, tinseltrading.com.

Brushed with edible luster dust, these amazing multifaceted lustrous chocolate nuggets are almost too beautiful to bite into (the operative word being "almost").

White-chocolate zabaglione bonbons, Christopher Norman Chocolates, 212-402-1243.

You wouldn't want to gild the lily, of course, but a leafy branch? An altogether different matter. "Gold can add glamour, but it's easy to go over the top with it," says designer Matthew Robbins, who created the arrangement here. Juxtapose opulent gold branches (in the form of faux bay-laurel twigs) with the humble grace of wood (apply gold Rub 'N Buff and drill holes) for a decadent yet simple centerpiece.

Adorned with vintage fabric flowers and dried protea leaves, this manzanita branch makes for a bold "chandelier," especially when spray-painted gold, perfect for highlighting a particular area in a large room (wedding cake over here!).

This easy yet elegant idea transforms an often overlooked spot into a glowing focal point. For a gold-leaf effect, affix candy wrappers with silver backing to the outsides of glass hurricanes using spray adhesive, then pop in pillar candles.