Leave your mark on every table with these pretty patterned place mats.

Parents know what a lifesaver those kid-friendly paper place mats (think: mazes, connect the dots, word-finder puzzles) can be at a restaurant. Here's a more updated (read: attractive) interpretation of that idea, created for us by New York City-based artist Jason Polan. It's perfect for a dedicated children's table at your reception.

For a simple, striking, and inexpensive way to add color and style to circular seating, buy a few yards of fabric, snip the ends to create a scalloped pattern (follow the instructions), and spread the resulting runner over a basic white tablecloth.

Give tables an artful edge with sheer scalloped tablecloths. Print the clip art onto transfer paper, cut it out close to design, iron it onto silk organdy, and then cut the hem as close to the flower design as possible (the iron-on will prevent fraying). Once you've created the frilly shape, drape it over a red seersucker tablecloth.

Iron-on transfer paper, Epson. Organdy, B&J Fabrics.

Use these graphic papers to jazz up platters.

A cupcake tray is even sweeter with a paper liner bursting with blossoms. Choose from tulip, rose, or ranunculus designs.

Cupcakes, bakednyc.com.

Straight-edged and simply presented, these lace napkin rings strike a modern note.