While classically feminine, a pink bouquet can sometimes be a bit of a yawn. But not this French-inflected bunch, in which swirls of pleated ribbon dance above voluptuous tree peonies, garden roses, and striated double tulips. Hot-pink ranunculus and lacy nerine add depth to the ballerina hues. And cascades of ribbon in varying widths at the handle complete the transformation from girlish to gorgeous.

For this California wedding, boutonnieres made of pink nerines are tied with silk ribbon. Each is pinned to a knot of Mizuhiki cord, created using a Japanesse knotting technique believed to bring the recipient good luck.

A boutonniere of five minispray rosebuds is contained in a spiral of pale-peach silk.

This 30-blossom bouquet is made from four types of peach and pink roses -- Versillia, Mystique, Oriental Curiosa, and Singing in the Rain -- and studded with eight blush-tipped tuberoses. The stems are bound and then tied with a peach velvet ribbon for an end-of-spring bouquet that is elegant and fragrant.

From the bold hues of the scabiosas and tulips to the softly shaded roses, the range of pinks in this bouquet by Livia Cetti spells romance. The dangling white tuberose and wisps of amaranth balance this classic arrangement, which is tied with a picot-edge pink-and-brown ribbon.

Boxes topped with flowers make a beautiful centerpiece; a table number is embroidered onto ribbon encircling the largest box. Inside, the stems sit in water bottles stabilized by crumpled paper. Favor boxes, which contain nonpareils, double as place cards.

Bouquets for the bridesmaids, maid of honor, and bride can harmonize rather than match. Here, they're a classic symphony of pinks, ivories, and greens, each composed of roses and hydrangeas.

An abundant bouquet of soft pink cabbage roses lends credence to the phrase blushing bride. This lush bouquet is made of flowers gathered at their fullest from Martha's East Hampton garden.

This oversize bouquet of sculpted dahlias and feathery astilbe will bend gracefully over the arm. Silk shantung covers the stems while vintage crystals dangle from a free-form bow.

Rosy coleus makes for surprising foliage in a bouquet. Along with papery abutilon flowers, it surrounds a handful of Dutch roses in dusty- and burnt-pink hues, and flutters as the bride walks. Velvet ribbon makes the bouquet more formal.

Small tailored garden roses in buff set the stage for dramatic pink French garden roses. Clematis buds and vines tumble out between them, and generous lengths of peach silk ribbon accented with tiny gold tassels reinforce the unusual color combination.

The bride's bouquet is composed of giant, lush peonies and ruffly sweet peas in various shades of pink, and is tied with an ivory satin ribbon.

Blousy pale tree peonies, Dutch garden roses, and charm-like bleeding hearts are made all the more vivid by the contrast of burgundy Japanese maple leaves. Tied with a silvery-brown silk ribbon, this sweet-smelling cascade exudes romance.

A perfect-shaped rose makes a handsome boutonniere when wrapped with its own buds in brown silk ribbon.

A monochromatic palette is most interesting when the chosen color is expressed in many shades. Iridescent runners of pale-pink silk shantung overlay an off-white tablecloth on this candlelit setting inspired by formal 1940s dinner parties.

Fluted clear-glass vases show off a spectrum of pink flowers: dahlias, sweet peas, ranunculuses, scabiosa, nerine lilies, and garden roses. Place cards sit on Japanese fabric fans, which are spread open on luminous shell-pink plates. Off-white napkins cascade over the edge of the table.

The cheery mood of the colors on this reception table matches the fresh style of the centerpieces and favors. We used fabrics and flowers in a range of tones, from pale to saturated, giving the room a soft glow. The arrangements are azaleas snipped from potted plants: You'll get more blooms for the price that way. At each place, inside the folds of the napkin, is a prettily boxed favor (a macaroon); a place card leans against it.

Nostalgic sweet peas reveal their modern side in a pink cascade that fades from dark to pale to almost white. A narrow ribbon of gradient pinks balances the sinuous form of the flower's natural vines.

In keeping with the wedding's mountain locale, the bridal bouquet of roses, cactus dahlias, and pom-pom dahlias is accented with oak leaves and acorns.

Casual and cheerful zinnias in a range of vivid pinks form a delightful posy. Gold-edged pink and orange ribbon is knotted around brown taffeta for a festive detail.

When topped with shimmering votive candles and a beautiful vase of soft pink ranunculus, a mirror becomes a pool of reflective light that casts a glow onto the reception tables

The bride's bouquet is a mix of English garden roses, flowering mint stems, olive leaves, fuchsias, and pink pepper berries.

Various pinks work nicely together, bringing out the undertones in the blooms, flattering one another and the person who bears them. Here, buttercream-and-pink phalaenopsis orchids flutter like butterflies among ruffle-edged, magenta garden roses, pale-pink rounded garden roses, and still paler spray roses. The tails of a light yellow ribbon emphasize the bouquet's downward sweep.

A stylish nosegay achieves its perfect domed shape with wired pink roses and hyacinth blossoms with yellow floral pins at their centers. Wire wrapped in pale-pink ribbon is a lighthearted accent that frames the bouquet.

The bride's bouquet of dahlias and astibe, tied with a satiny ribbon, looks just picked.

Just a few lush 'Coral Charm' peonies and hosta leaves create lovely bridesmaid bouquets.

This bouquet combines sweet peas, roses, and feathery astilbe with helichrysum and beaded leaves. Virtually invisible until they catch the light, individual pink sequins affixed to wire stems are interspersed among the blooms. On the handle, mother-of-pearl buttons dangle from metallic-pink ribbon.

Here's an easy centerpiece idea that stacks up well against pricier options: clusters of flower-filled cafe au lait bowls. You can find inexpensive ones at home- and kitchen-supply stores (ours are from Anthropologie and Sur La Table); or collect mismatched vintage styles from flea markets. Place floral foam in the bowls to anchor the blooms, then group them on reception tables, stacking some atop inverted ones for visual interest.

Free-form centerpieces set in low wooden trays combine peonies, viburnum, dogwood, green parrot tulips, spirea, sweetpeas, double lilacs, maidenhair fern, and fiddleheads.

At a casual outdoor wedding, full-blown roses in rough-hewn containers make beautiful centerpieces. Floaters can keep heavy blooms adrift. The best vessels can often be found tucked away in basements or garden sheds; you can also scour flea markets and garage sales for one-of-a-kind finds.

Table centerpieces of garden roses in silver planters.

The maid of honor's bouquet was a pink-tinged variation on the bride's: white cymbidium orchids, tied with a silver-gray ribbon.

Sharon's hand-tied cascade bouquet mixes pale-pink peonies, sweet peas, azaleas, white mock orange, bell-shaped campanula, clematis, and garden roses; it's secured with a sash of vintage kimono silk.

This bouquet, by florist Matthew Robbins, features calla lilies, phalaenopsis orchids, blushing brides, nerines, and garden roses.