Kite tails, Easter bonnets, maypoles -- streamers and ribbons have a sweetly old-fashioned association with this time of year. So why not go with the flow and update this sewing-box staple as the design motif for your spring nuptials? Ribbons come in countless colors, materials, sizes, and patterns, which makes it a snap to tap into your creative side.

And they're flexible -- literally -- allowing you to wrap, knot, pleat, or drape as you please. Of course, curls gone wild can look childish instead of chic, so remember to limit your palette to three or four colors (anything more will look like a princess party for a 5-year-old). We stuck to sherbet yellows, pinks, and oranges for the ribbon winners here. From flowers to favors to votives, all inspired by the strapless Carolina Herrera number below, we help celebrate tying the knot by tying the ribbons.

Bows Arts
Instead of the traditional tiered cake, try serving a mini confection to each guest. These buttercream-coated petits fours, by Wendy Kromer, sport sashes of "grosgrain" made from embossed fondant; on top, narrower strips of gum paste are looped into fanciful bows that resemble ribbon right down to their notched ends.

Curve Appeal
Lengths of paper and ribbon coiled into airy circles and raindrops dangle at different heights above a table decorated with similar shapes. Both springy and springlike, these suspended curlicues in yellow and white call to mind the season's mix of sun and showers. To create the striped strips, glue ribbon onto wider pieces of artist's paper. Dress by Carolina Hererra.
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