Layered rounds of paper can give an other wise simple surface shots of color, texture, and style. Even better? They cost next to nothing and are a cinch to craft.

To craft a ceremony marker that’s out of this world, lay a dark blue length of cloth on a protected surface, and, like you’re wielding a marker, (dis)color on dots with a Clorox gel bleach pen.

Festive pom-poms add cheer to any event space. Simply fashion inexpensive white tulle into different-size poufs, and mist with spray paint in your favorite color. Then string your handiwork up garland-style, or tape it around a door, bar, or escort-card table.

Elevate the guest book to an art form by having guests write on plates to be later mounted on your wall. Choose white dishes for the well-wishes, which show up nicely when inscribed with metallic paint pens. After the event, arrange the signed plates with patterned ones in a random grouping for a sophisticated feel. Just don't use them to serve your anniversary cake -- the paint is not food-safe.

White platter (at bottom), Crate & Barrel. Extra-fine-tip Gold Creative Marker (PILSCG-E), Pilot Pens.

Personal photographs make a reception space feel like home, and you don't need a hammer and nails to display them. Gather pictures of the bride and groom as children, plus relatives' wedding portraits; arrange on ribbons with calligraphed labels. Hang by the seating-card table for all to see.

Perfume your ceremony or reception site with a garland of sweetly scented lilies. The sturdy flowers are abundant in spring. For a long space or a double-layer strand, have your florist wire several garlands (it's best done the day of the wedding). Hang lengths of up to 16 blooms each in sections; each swag shown is an individual garland, as are the two vertical sections. Be sure to leave extra wire for hanging; you can hide this wire with wide satin bows. Lily pollen often stains; you may want to remove the yellow anthers.

A personalized banner creates a stately reception decoration when it's hung from greenery set on a mantel or tall table. To make, you'll need a 6-by-40-inch sheet of lightweight paper. Trim top of banner so it gently curves in, creating an arc shape, then trim bottom so it curves out. Write couple's names. Cut banner ends on a graceful angle; roll ends to curl. Punch a hole near each end. Thread floral wire through holes; twist around trunks of cypress topiaries set 2 feet apart. Tie on ribbon bows to cover wire. Tape coordinating ribbons on the pots.

Personalize the entrance to the ceremony or reception in an instant with store-bought wooden initials. To display, loop wide satin ribbon around each letter. Knot ribbon at least one foot above letter, leaving ends long enough to create a bow (for letters that aren't easily looped, hot-glue ribbon to letter's back, and tie into a knot); hang on an over-the-door hanger. Tie ribbon ends into a bow and trim with pinking shears. Attach self-adhesive felt pads to backs of letters to protect the door.

If you can cut and fold paper, then you can turn any blank space at your reception or ceremony site into a Pop Art showpiece.

Just trim Paper Presentation matte cover-weight letter paper into squares, fold in half diagonally, and stick them to a wall with removable painters' tape.

Traditionally, a bride selects a few flowers from her bouquet to press and put in the back of the wedding album. But there is no need for the blossoms to remain hidden away when they can easily be framed for display.

When displaying wedding photographs, think outside the frame. Many companies will print images on stretched canvases (ours are from Duggal) rather than photo paper. Mix posed and candid shots in various sizes and arrange on the wall for a modern look.

Circles cut from metallic contact paper add a playful touch to an otherwise empty space. Recruit friends to stick them up before the party starts and peel them away after the night winds down.  

You'll Need: Con-Tact Brand "Metal FX" contact paper in copper (amazon.com). Martha Stewart Crafts Simple Circle Cutter. She is wearing a Marc Jacobs dress. He is wearing a Shipley & Halmos "Gross" blazer and "Pulitzer" pants; Barneys New York, 888-222-7639.

Raise the bar with a drink-recipe display that does double duty as a decoration.

Instead of having your loved ones write messages in a book, put out a poster on which they can sign their names. Then, after the wedding, display it on your wall (and finally relegate his beloved college football posters to the attic). To use this poster, download our editable (and free!) clip art. Send the file to a printer or a stationer, and ask them to churn out the 18-by-24inch image for you. 

Ikea "Ribba" frame. Le Pen marker in teal, amazon.com.

Remember the paper chains of your childhood? Trade the construction paper for vellum, pick a stylish palette, and voila -- you've got a trimming gorgeous enough to grace a dessert station or a dance floor. Cut vellum into strips to make loops, and connect with double-sided tape.

 Paper and More! vellum. Jenny Yoo "Ella" dress, Kate Spade bracelet, and J.Crew "Northern Lights" necklace.

What bride doesn't want to see her name in lights? Rendered in elegant script, a neon monogram or initial of your new last name looks surprisingly sophisticated -- and it doubles as art you’ll have for keeps.

No matter what you fancy -- a family moniker in a specific font or a motif from your invitation suite -- the pros at Artistic Neon have 40 years of experience under their belts and can make any custom sign come to life.

This cheery strand can be used in myriad ways (we especially love it as bar decor or as a ceremony marker). To pull it off, string folded pieces of paper along monofilament.

This monogrammed banner is a cute decoration that also serves to notify your guests of the wedding's location. Silk flowers spell out intertwining initials on a silk faille banner, symbolizing the couple's union.

Light and airy, doilies and silk ribbons combine to make graceful garlands to be draped over pews at a spring wedding ceremony or festooned along reception tables.

From top: Lacy circles are laid flat and threaded directly onto ribbon, then slid close to overlap. Accordion folds add a cheerful cadence to paper trim. Folded pairs of heart-shaped doilies create a three-dimensional effect. Round doilies are gathered into frilly puffs, then wired to a ribbon. For a scalloped edge, fold circular doilies in half and press them close as they're strung together.