It's a match made in the heavens. Think dreamy clouds and powder-blue sky, pearly stars on a velvet-blue backdrop. Here on Earth, both hues have long been dear to brides. "Marry in blue, lover be true" was a popular refrain in the early 1800s; the color was thought to confer an aura of innocence. In 1840, Queen Victoria chose white when she wed, and brides ever after have followed suit. Like true love, this color scheme is by turns fantastically romantic and charmingly fresh. Look to nature and everyday objects for ideas, and use them to compose your own rhapsody in blue -- and white.

Above, A robin's egg, transferware china, and other objects offer color cues. A beribboned cornflower bag (foil-stamped by ForYourParty.com using lettering by Nancy Sharon Collins, Stationer) holds a favor.

Ribbon Loop How-To
For this gift bag, we used a 5-by-9 1/2-inch paper bag and a 19 1/2-inch length of 1-inch-wide ribbon. A slightly stiff ribbon works better than a floppy satin. Punch two holes in the bag's center, one above the other, about 1/2 inch apart. Fold ribbon lengthwise; notch ends. Pull the folded end through the bottom hole, from the front to the back of the bag, then pull it forward through the top hole, creating a loop from the top third of the ribbon. Tie the ends in a square knot.