Choose This...or That

The Centerpiece ...or exotic blooms Large and lush isn't for every bride. Create texture with unusual flowers that'll cost more, but you'll need less of, so you can skip the fillers -- and the fancy vessel. Here, cactus, celosia, smoke bush and leucadendrons pop in a simple milk-glass container. Flowers by CocoRosie

The Cake Fondant cutouts... Want your cake to play a starring role in your decor? For a more modern style, alternating teardrop-embellished and plain bands, and a pair of hand-painted fondant flower cutouts, dress up this tall confection. Keep in mind: Custom details require extra skill and TLC (read: your cake baker's time and your money). ...

The Cake ...or a 3-D sugar flower Make a bold statement with scalloped trim and a single handmade bloom that literally pops off the cake for a look that's a but more classic but just as sweet. Add-ons take more work than cutouts, but fewer tiers balances out the price. Cake by Sweet Element

The Stationery A full suite... If your wedding celebration reads like an itinerary, send a folder filled with separate enclosures for each event. Elegant foil stamping and delicate letterpress elements on multiple pieces require extra design work and time at the press, so send everything in a simple, square envelope. Stationery by East Six

The Stationery ...or luxe packaging A rich silk box with a jeweled clasp has "special delivery" written all over it. To highlight your wedding day, pick a showstopping package but include just the letterpress invite and response card to offset the extra postage. Stationery by East Six

The Centerpiece Lush flowers... Hydrangeas and roses look beautiful in a mercury-glass footed bowl. But if you're going for volume, use soft, neutral fillers like Queen Anne's lace, dahlias and amaranthus paired with mint, oregano and eucalyptus greens to fill out the arrangement without bulking up the cost. Flowers by CocoRosie