8 Lavender and Yellow Ideas to Make an Impressionistic Impact at Your Wedding

Set a Serene Scene

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Stephen Johnson

Let watercolor washes of pale purple and goldenrod color your big day. The poetic combo, whether on invitations or in your bouquet, calls to mind a stroll in a garden -- one so romantic that it would move Van Gogh or Monet to paint.

01 of 08

Post Painterly Stationery

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Stephen Johnson

Invite guests to your celebration with a suite that blooms with good tidings. This custom stationery and matchbox label, by New York–based illustrator Sarah McCay, features watercolor violet anemones and golden ranunculus and garden roses (with a few blue crocuses thrown in the mix). It's a creative way to signal an outdoor reception -- or a flower-filled indoor affair.

Floral I Do's Invitations, from $350; sarahmccay.com

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02 of 08

Mix and Match Bridesmaids Dresses

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Stephen Johnson

In modern shapes and pretty prints, subtle shades are a trend your besties will definitely get behind. Case in point: Lavender lace gives a classic one-shoulder silhouette an update, and buttery yellow silk goes sleek and sharp in a V-neck column. In such light and airy hues, your 'maids will float down the aisle -- and, later, glide above the dance floor.

Dresses, from left: Quilaree for Bhldn Ariel Dress in Dusty Mauve, $240; bhldn.com

. Joanna August Dara Long Dress in Mustard, $585;

joannaaugust.com

. Amsale Amore Dress in Orchid, $370;

amsale.com

. Reem Acra Embroidered Style #5010, price upon request;

reemacra.com

. 57 Grand Style #5708, $198;

dessy.com

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03 of 08

Look Radiant in Lilac Makeup

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Stephen Johnson

Pantone made it official: Radiant Orchid (aka bright purple) is the color of the year. When it comes to beauty, we like a range of the hue, especially super-flattering sheer lilac, which works with any skin tone and looks great on eyes, nails, and lips. Pick only one feature to play up; a little goes a long way.

bareMinerals Plum Eye Color in Water Lily, $14; bareescentuals.com

. Tenoverten Nail Polish in Prince, $18;

sephora.com

. Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Shine Gloss in Pink Diamond, $31;

sephora.com

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04 of 08

Carry a Charming Bouquet

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Stephen Johnson

This arrangement is brimming with purple, green, and yellow flowers, but the muted tones make it more "Masterpiece Classic" than Mardi Gras. Brooklyn-based flower shop Saipua joined milky anemones, violet clematis, purply hellebores, and lavender roses and sweet peas with mustard ranunculus and yellow dates. Then, they added green dusty miller and a single white ranunculus to contrast the color-splashed collection.

Mokuba New York Chenille Ribbon, $29/yd; 212-869-8900.

05 of 08

Add Some Jewelry

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Stephen Johnson

Lavender and amber aren't the blingy-est of colors for jewels -- and that's exactly what makes them lovely (and amazing!) finishing touches for a white or ivory gown. Both sunny citrine and honey-colored topaz flatter warm, tawny skin tones, while amethysts, spinels, and sapphires all come in mauve shades that complement pale complexions. Pair one with your wedding-day finery for a look that's soft and surprising.

Clockwise from top: Rosanne Pugliese Amethyst Drop Earrings, $500, rosannepugliese.com

. Sutra Citrine and Topaz Earrings, price upon request; 713-984-4987. Doyle & Doyle Victorian Amethyst Cluster Pendant, $1,850;

doyledoyle.com

. Margery Hirschey Amethyst-Slice Earrings, $635,

fragments.com

. H. Stern Sunrise Necklace; $10,300, 800-747-8376. Carelle Amethyst Cluster Waterfall Earrings, $2,370;

carelle.com

. Anna Sheffield Eleonore Stud Earrings in Champagne Quartz; $1,450,

annasheffield.com

. Fred Leighton Citrine and Diamond Drop Earrings, price upon request; 212-288-1872. Seaman Schepps Capri Bracelet, price upon request;

seamanschepps.com

. McTeigue & McClelland Quadrille Earrings, $7,500;

mc2jewels.com

. Tiffany & Co. Oval Sapphire and Diamond Ring, price upon request; 800-843-3269.

06 of 08

Serve Apropos Appetizers

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Stephen Johnson

What's arguably OCD, definitely OTT, and yet absolutely fabulous? Color-coordinated cocktail-hour snacks! We wanted these small bites to be as delicious as they are decorative -- with no food dye required.

Clockwise from top: Seared tuna steak with whitefish roe on rice crackers

;

grilled eggplant with feta cheese, pine nuts, and purple basil

;

a mini corn cake with blueberry and sage

; and a

purple potato with a poached quail egg

. Flanking the plate:

yellow tomato and mango gazpacho shooters

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07 of 08

Sweeten the Deal With Delicious Favors

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Stephen Johnson

It's tough to find a favor that guests crave more than candy, and these tasty takeaways are so beautifully presented and thoughtfully on-theme that your loved ones will feel extra, well, loved.

Clockwise from top: Agave Quinoa Sesame in Milk Chocolate Bar, $7.95; jcocochocolate.com

. Passion Fruit Marshmallows, $12/dozen,

sweetniks.com

. Lavender Lollipops, $12 for 6;

sweetniks.com

. Lavender Fleur de Sel and Honey-Vanilla-Bean Caramels, $9/dozen;

calabasascandyco.etsy.com

. Les Cinqs Amandes Mimosa Pure Pearls, $18 for 1.8 oz;

the5almonds.com

. Les Cinqs Amandes Chocolate Dragées, $14 for 4.2 oz;

the5almonds.com

. Kubli Violet Candies, $63.50 for a dozen 5.3-oz jars;

crossingsfinefoods.com

. Les Cinqs Amandes Classic Chocolate Carré, $2.75 each;

the5almonds.com

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08 of 08

Dress Up a Cake

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Stephen Johnson

This three-tiered confection isn't what it seems. Yes, it's a stunning -- and scrumptious -- delight (one that features pear cake with blackberry and white chocolate buttercream). But it only looks like it's swathed in fresh blossoms. Washington, D.C.–based pastry chef Maggie Austin crafted sugar flowers to resemble anemones, ranunculus, forsythia, roses, sweet peas, hypericum, and unripened blackberries. Even when the blooms are lavender, the likeness is as good as gold.

Mokuba New York Taffeta Ribbon, $9.50/yd; 212-869-8900.

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