Clearly Beautiful
Make your wishes transparent with tinted glass plates and goblets -- in lieu of heavy crystal and traditional china -- that mimic the look of sea glass. Add a swell arrangement of sweet peas, tweedia, and muscari to complete the effect. To embellish place cards with streamers, cut slits in a card with a utility knife and weave ribbons through. Wrap around a napkin, leaving ends long for a loose, layered effect.
Wafer Cake
You know how a pointillist work seems unimpressive up close, but if you look at the sum of its parts, you see the big, breathtaking picture? That's how it is with this inexpensive way to decorate your cake. Buy Necco wafers, pick out the ones that go with your palette, and adhere them in layers to each tier of a frosted cake. If you're loving this mint shade, go to necco.amazonwebstore.com; they've created packs of mint wafers just for our readers.
Invitation Stars
You're the stars of the show -- why not announce it in a big way? This letterpress suite was made using antique wood and lead type, which imparts a slightly imperfect, handcrafted quality. Custom stationery, invitations, R.S.V.P. cards, and envelopes from Hammerpress
.
Sea of Loveliness
Loving the dresses but not sure what shoes go with them? Pair these cool-toned numbers with silver sandals, and your bridesmaids will positively shine. Crinkle chiffon beaded dress, Saja, 212-226-7570. Halter-neck A-line dress in silk shantung, Aria
.
Dresses from the Sea
Strapless taffeta dress, Wtoo Maids. "Jackie Long" strapless crinkle chiffon dress, Alix & Kelly."Erika" cowl-neck dress in silk shantung, Lynn Lugo
.
Beautiful Bridesmaids
For optimal effect, have each bridesmaid wear a different shade within the palette and a different style (strapless, halter, tailored, or flowing); after all, the sea, too, is equal parts mercurial and beautiful. "Bellini" strapless dress, Siri, 415-431-8873. "Mallory" sweetheart crisscross halter dress, Jenny Yoo Collection
.
A Shore Thing
Shadows, liners, and mascara in light, watery shades can be striking in moderation. Clockwise from top: I-Colour Powder Eye Shadow in Icy White, by Dior Beauty. Expert Wear Eye Shadow in Irish Mist, by Maybelline New York. Big Fatty Colored Mascara in Electric Blue, by Urban Decay. Duo-Toned Eye Pencil in Aqua Teal, Estee Lauder. Eye Show in Pop Aquadelic, by Dior Beauty.
Air Time
Give guests luminous vellum blooms to toss. To make them, all you need are vellum and a punch (we used 3-in-1 Hydrangea punch, by Martha Stewart Crafts, from Michaels. Place confetti in an envelope and seal with a sticker printed with our clip art.
That's a Wrap
How much do we love beribboned favor boxes? Let us count the ways. Here, nine nifty gift-wrapping ideas -- using all the trimmings that go with the tide. Consider this our present to you.
The Sparkling Sea
Get a shot of something blue with a sparkling piece of jewelry that's seaworthy and wedding-worthy. 1. Pendant necklace, by Danielle Welmond, from Twist, twistonline.com. 2. Beaded necklace with freshwater pearls, Rina Limor, rinalimor.com. 3. Quartz and chalcedony necklace, Suzanne Kalan, suzannekalan.com. 4. "Cleo" hoops, Rachel Leigh, rachelleigh.com. 5. Topaz and gold necklace, by TenThousandThings, from Ylang 23, ylang 23.com. 6 & 7. "Snowman" topaz earrings, and gold and topaz bangles, Ippolita, 877-865-5500. 8. Aquamarine chunk necklace, by Gabrielle Sanchez, from ABC Carpet & Home, 212-473-3000. 9. Brazilian agate bib necklace, Jennifer Rose, jenniferrosejewelry.com. 10. Bracelet with smooth fluorite, Becky Kelso, beckykelso.com. 11. Peruvian Amazonite earrings with diamonds, by Jamie Joseph, from Ylang23, ylang23.com. 12. "Stellar Mix" earrings, by Dana Kellin, from Fragments Prince Street, 212-334-9588.
Chandelier Earrings
Linked by tiny gold rings, the turquoise teardrops of these chandelier earrings have a movement all their own. Wendy Mink Jewelry, wendyminkjewelry.com.
Delicate Earrings
The tiny diamonds in these delicate white-gold earrings pave the way for not one but two ice-blue topaz drops. Style DKE 122, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Blue Teardrops
Oversize Caribbean-blue teardrops are especially striking when encased in wishbones of gold. Style B1013, Marcia Moran @ Supplements NY, 800-631-3844.
Rock Candy
Facets lend a touch of sophistication to otherwise unrefined turquoise; tiny gold prongs add elegance. "Rock Candy" earrings, Ippolita, ippolita.com.
Simply Blue
The raw beauty of pale-blue is highlighted by these simple bezel settings. Style BB267, by Marcia Moran at SupplementsNY, from Carleen Ligozio in Southampton, 631-204-0104.
Contemporary Twist
Fiery Pacific opal and simple pearls combine for a contemporary twist on a classic statement. Style MS-E1-209, Lenora Dame, lenoradame.com.
Aquamarine Beauty
This pair's unique clasp ensures that the faceted aquamarines look as beautiful in the back as they do in the front. Style GS688AQ, by Gabrielle Sanchez, from ABC Carpet & Home, abchome.com.
Sky Blue Gems
These perfectly round discs of sky-blue chalcedony don't need much adornment -- they're impressive all on their own. Style GE1185Q, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Clustered Shapes
Clusters of various shapes and shades make for an interesting -- yet still simple -- pair of earrings. Style AEMAR2-VLS, by Dana Kellin, from Twist, twistonline.com.
Graptolite Drops
Flecked with bright green, these cloudy graptolite drops are as subtle as they are eye-catching. Style sa-e1053, by Gabrielle Sanchez, from Twist, twistonline.com.
Floral Clusters
Tiny diamonds envelop pale chalcedonies in a flowerlike cluster; 18K gold imparts an antique vibe. Style DKE 142, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Creative Shells
With its creative use of glass beads and shells, this pair is bold and beautiful. Style ROE-S9-313, Lenora Dame, lenoradame.com.
Delicate Topaz and Gold
It doesn't get much simpler -- or chicer -- than faceted sky-blue topaz and delicate gold wire. Style GE1185J, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Dramatic Diamonds
Perfect for a black-tie occasion, this pair's dramatic chain of diamonds leads to a cluster of delicate topaz. Style ER82282WBT, Rina Limor, rinalimor.com.
Rose-Cut Chalcedonies
These rose-cut chalcedonies and barely there diamonds are special enough for a formal occasion, yet delicate enough to wear every day. Style DKE 120, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Topaz Orbs
What appear to be plain gold wires at first glance are actually rows of pin-size diamonds leading to kiwi-hued topaz orbs. Style DKE 136H, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Vintage Twist
Four teeny tiny prongs and a sea-foam green hue give these chalcedony drops a vintage twist. Style DKE 105Y, Suzanne Kalan, 818-700-6200.
Glass and Crystal
With glass, crystal, and filigree, this pair is intricate, unique, and worthy of a double-take. By Sequin, from Henri Bendel, 800-423-6335.
Pretty Pears
You'll want to wear this pair of pears -- chrysoprase pears, that is -- over and over. Style E7010B, by Lena Skadegard, from Fragments, 212-334-9588.
Blue Topaz Hoops
With blue topaz captured throughout, these hoops are among the prettiest we've seen. "Rock Candy" hoops, Ippolita, ippolita.com.