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.

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.

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.

Use this wilt-free option to decorate and endless amount of elements (think: a lush cascade for your cake or a blushing hair accessory).

To make, use 35 petals (get the template below) and a button stamen. Shape petals to cup inward slightly. Pleat base of each petal; pinch folds in place. Attach to stamen, positioning innermost petals low, with midpoints at stamen's head; raise each subsequent ring of petals slightly. Curl tips of petals inward.

An alternative to a large centerpiece is to float five or six peony blossoms in a footed bowl, surrounding it with scattered votive candles and satellite peonies in smaller bowls.

This classic arrangement uses the same footed bowl as the one used in the floating centerpiece.

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