The soft light of paper luminaries sets a romantic mood. Two bags, one fitted over the other, form a box. The lanterns, strung on electric Christmas-tree lights and hung along branches, are tied with ribbon and sway gently in the evening breeze.

Cast a warm glow from above. A midsummer night's meal at an outdoor reception is served on the lawn under tall maple trees strung with lanterns hanging on chains from strong branches. Small and large, these lamps hold ivory tapers, their bases disappearing in a thick layer of fresh, fragrant rose petals.

The intricate patterns shining through these luminarias (paper-bag lanterns illuminated by votive candles) are courtesy of doilies glued inside. Place a grouping of the lanterns in different sizes on the guest-book table or dinner tables for a beautiful, glowing display.

Nothing conveys a sense of comfort and warmth like candlelight. Place candles everywhere -- not just on tables but on ledges and in little nooks and crannies. (Check with the site manager about any restrictions.) The printed patterns on these candles glow when lit. They would make a pretty centerpiece on their own.

When topped with shimmering votive candles, a mirror becomes a pool of reflective light that casts a glow onto the reception tables.

Lanterns made of vintage Mason jars clad in gold-trimmed ribbons exude homespun charm. Use them to illuminate walkways or arrange on a table with place cards or cocktails.

Candles in three shades of white are wrapped in corrugated paper and tied with waxed twine; written inside the paper is a message.

Re-create the beauty of etching with ease. All you need is a rubber stamp, white ink, and glass candleholders -- frosted glass holds ink best.

Joyous bursts of color dance above a table, imparting a cheerful radiance. Square glass vessels in various sizes line tables. Covered in sunset-hued tissue, they cast a soft glow.

You'll always be able to improvise a centerpiece with these candle blocks: Each face is drilled with a hole sized to fit a particular type of candle.

Quilted jam jars holding votive candles hang from a grape-covered arbor. As night falls, crystals wired to the bottoms of the jars will cast refracted candlelight onto the stucco walls.

A celebration at sundown is more memorable when you supplement the waning daylight with lanterns. The tabletop ones consist of colorful sheets of vellum paper sandwiching tall votive candles in glass holders.

With the help of these candle and flower centerpieces, the whole table will shine. For each one, use candle wax to attach a small floral frog to the center of a shallow bowl. Push a taper into the floral frog to secure. Pour water into the bowl. Clip amaryllis blooms (or other large flowers) from their stems, and arrange them in the bowl around the candle.