The altar is flanked by a pair of glazed ceramic urns that hold classic, painterly arrangements of peonies in bright pink, light pink, and blush. Mixed in are snowball viburnum and mock orange. These majestic urns can be transported to the reception and used again there.

For a wedding in Monroe, Georgia, an over-sized coral peony topped the couple's white-cake and coconut-cream confection.

These silver tussy-mussy bouquet holders were accented with peonies, and later served as mementos for each bridesmaid.

An abundance of large blush pink and cream peonies is mixed with smaller clematis and sweet peas to make this opulently romantic bridal bouquet. Three pleated shantung-silk ribbons echo the peonies’ feathery lightness. As the bride walks down the aisle, the ribbons will flutter alongside her.

A letterpress wedding invitation (pantrypress.net) bears the image of a single coral-pink peony. The icon was rotated on the reply card, also in letterpress. Rubber stamps of the same icon were used to make calligraphed seating cards and place cards in different shades. Tied with a slender dark-pink ribbon, the program has a die-cut letterpress peony for its cover. Die-cut letterpress menu cards feature large table numbers. Papers printed with small pink peonies wrap around to become covers for matchboxes.

A seating-card table is set up so that no matter which way guests approach it, some cards will be facing them. Thin, glazed-ceramic vases form a cross at the center, creating chic hedges of coral-colored peonies. A chartreuse linen table mat harmonizes with the blooms. Envelopes for the seating cards -- balanced on the points of their flaps -- are calligraphed with guests’ names and rubber-stamped with peonies in green, yellow, dark pink, and light pink ink. Table numbers are written on the cards tucked inside.

Clear glass vessels holding dark-pink peonies are scattered among confectionery favors. Small paper nesting boxes were purchased from a manufacturer in four custom color schemes. (If you want special colors, be sure to order the boxes as far in advance as possible.) The lids were rubber-stamped with large peony icons in light-pink, dark pink, yellow, and green ink and then folded. Round petits fours, iced to evoke the feathery centers of peonies, nestle inside the boxes. When a box is opened, its sides come apart like layered petals.

Two different peony arrangements are set off by linen table mats in color combinations that can be repeated on the rest of the tables. A plush mix of medium and pale pink peonies on a chartreuse mat and varying shades of yellow peonies on a coral mat.

Festive votive candles and porcelain Asian bowls, each holding a single peony, can be used to decorate a guest book table or reception.

Festive votive candles and porcelain Asian bowls, each holding a single peony, can be used to decorate a guest book table or reception.

This Jenny Packham gown, named after the peony, emulates the flower's full-bodied beauty and light, ruffled look.

This Jenny Packham gown, named after the peony, emulates the flower's full-bodied beauty and light, ruffled look.