Pinecones tipped in glitter glow like a halo around dusky blooms of mauve roses and miniature paperwhites. The delicate flowers soften the rustic sensibility of the pinecones, and accentuate the illusion of floating light.

For big arrangements, the simplest geometry is best, as in this bouquet created for a Christmas bride. Velvety, perfectly opened amaryllis blossoms and Hypericum berries resembling beads of garnet are offset by lacy sprigs of arborvitae.

The blue-gray of juniper boughs and deep green of arborvitae boldly replicate the cool colors of winter; the branches themselves determine the dramatic shape of the bouquet. Delicate, graceful snowdrops are tied onto the branches, tiny blossoms cascading as they would in nature.

Shiny fabric leaves (actually appliques snipped from a ribbon) transform a classic white assortment into a glamorous wintry display. The wired leaves frame one edge of the cone-shaped bouquet and are mixed in among fresh flowers -- miniature calla lilies, Scabiosa, Delphinium florets, and lilies of the valley. Sterling-silver beads on wire stems are also inserted here and there. Sequined ribbon forms a band around the stems, and tendrils of silver ribbon drift over it.

Lightly fragrant carnations take their cue from the season, with each blossom as unique as a snowflake, even echoing a snowflake's filigreed form.

In a gilded cascade, beaded florets, strung by hand, glint like tiny holiday lights amid Cymbidium orchids, Bupleurum, Gloriosa lilies, and 'Lady's Mantle'; velvety gold-tipped cockscomb lend their own luster. The stems are wrapped in a wide gold band of satin ribbon and adorned with "something old": a star-like rhinestone brooch.

To make an autumn or winter bouquet even more lush, include cockscomb -- the deep-pink ruffle-edged flower here -- and then highlight its rich texture with a thick velvet ribbon wrap. This example contains calla lilies, sweet pea, and cockscomb in shades of pink.

Mixing olives on silver-green branches and black ivy berries with Ranunculus gives this domed nosegay a loose, romantic feeling. The striped ribbon is pinned to a wide band.

A Victorian-inspired bouquet is made of a dozen white Vendela roses and lilies of the valley. Lady fern fronds form the frame.

Glossy, black-beaded flowers dance among puffs of white hydrangeas in a lush, rounded composition; the long, black-satin streamers are gathered at the ends in soft ruffles.

Perfect for a winter wedding, Casablanca lilies, some a hand-span wide, are wired into a plump and ruffled "ball" of lilies and intermixed with 20 silver-mesh leaves, some of which drift onto the bouquet's silvery ribbon.

A loosely gathered offering of heather, wax flowers, lavender sweet peas, Genista, and Tulbaghia makes an attractive bridesmaid bouquet.

Above a shimmering vintage jacquard ribbon are snowy clusters of hyacinths and Cattleya orchids. And sprinkled throughout, like glistening frozen crystals, are silver ribbon clasps attached to wire stems.

A festive bridal bouquet features white hybrid Nerine lilies interspersed with variegated Pittosporum, scented-geranium leaves, and a few sprigs of rosemary; it's tied with a velvet ribbon.

In this bride's bouquet, tiny pinecones and evergreen sprigs are ringed with marabou.