A billowing cloud of tulle is an irresistible spot for a flock of "papillons" -- wired loosely to the fabric -- to rest their delicate wings.

These decorative treats, a recipe from Karen Porter of Tilly's Cakes, make the perfect dessert to serve at bridal showers and outdoor weddings.

Get the Petits Fours Recipe

Paper butterflies alight on the rims of champagne glasses, staying still just long enough for guests to find their seats.

Flower girls look enchanting with butterflies fluttering on their dresses. The appliques are easy to attach with a needle and thread. Ribbons streaming from their bouquets are decorated with the same butterflies, which appear to fly through the air when the girls walk.

Pretty fabric butterflies transform a plain-Jane cake into a marvelous tiered wonder -- and there's nary a pastry tip in sight.

Cream-colored linen tablecloths and napkins are embellished with iron-on transfer paper printed with clip art butterflies.

As a centerpiece for the party and favors for the guests, orchids are presented in terra-cotta pots painted white and arranged on a saucer -- a butterfly-shaped tag on a thin wire holder hovers over each plant.

Bridesmaids and flower girls will love these beaded butterflies for their hair.

Wrap rubber-stamped paper bands around sketchbooks with ribbon bookmarks. 

Fashion a bouquet from silk and feather creatures secured on thin wires so that they float and flutter realistically.

Let a flock of colorful paper butterflies loose, and you'll instantly give plain paper lanterns a lift.

Calligraph place cards, then stamp each one with a colorful butterfly that you can cut into a silhouette before folding the card.

Bubbles with butterfly-topped wands add an extra-special touch to a end-of-the-night send-off. 

Your littlest attendants will love these beautiful butterflies in their hair as they walk down the aisle.

Butterfly slippers make lovely handmade gifts for your bridesmaids.

For top-flight cocktails, make two slits in the center of a butterfly cutout, then slide a straw through.

Surprise and delight your guests with this creative packaging. Best of all, they are easy to craft and make a beautiful favor-table display.

Shell butterflies make perfect accents for your bouquet or scattered on a table as decorations.

Welcome your guests with flights of fancy. Line tiny wicker baskets with plastic wrap, fill with clump moss, and adorn with bright butterflies (or dried or silk flowers).

These winged insects are attached to wire so they can easily be added to floral arrangements, plants, and party decorations. Because they're so delicate, it will look as though they're fluttering about no matter where you put them.

A fresh lawn of wheatgrass makes a glorious field for butterflies to flutter about. Banners bearing guests' calligraphed names seem to billow in a gentle breeze. The butterfly wires are attached to skewers covered with floral tape.

Feather butterflies from BJ's Craft Supplies. Calligraphy, Deborah Delaney, 212-877-8773.