Witness rock candy’s bold punch of color! With its wide range of saturated hues it’s easy to coordinate rock candy with non-wedding creations, too; think yellow for Easter or red and white for the 4th of July. Color shy? Scroll down to see clear candy atop a white cake. Chic!

Afraid rock candy is more for looks than for function? No way! We fancy the texture created when combined with creamy smooth frosting.

All of a sudden we feel like kids again…

Love, Raya & Erin

Credits, beginning at top: candy jars by Juliet’s Sweets, cupcake by Wicked Good Cupcakes; rock candy sticks cake by The Sweet Boutique (via * ), blue & orange rock cake created by Cocoa+Fig, wedding cake shot by Phindy Studios, yellow crushed candy cake via Martha Stewart, cupcakes created by Quiet Like Horses, clear rock candy cake via The Knot.

Carnations have gotten a bad rap. A single stem in a bud vase can make a statement just as a luscious volume of these often-overlooked frilly blossoms can.

These lovely flowers are affordable, available in romantic colors like pale pink, apricot, red and white, among others, and are available year round. Plus, they have the ability to look, dare we say, chic.

A carnation, simply a filler flower? We think not.

Clockwise from top left: Heart (Project Wedding); Carnation balls (Country Living); Cake atop carnations (Martha Stewart); Carnation boxes (Fresh Wed); Bouquet (Salty Oat); Carnation bundle (via Rock My Wedding); Vase of carnations (Martha Stewart).

The above candlescape from a recent estate wedding (and captured by Sharon Clark of Smitten Photography) left us speechless! What a gorgeous way to add a romantic glow to a space. Cluster glassware in varying sizes with lit candles and you’re well on your way to creating a stellar photo op. It’s a chic and clean look worthy of a fabulous wedding.

If you’re planning an upcoming wedding we beg you to to implement a gorgeous grouping of candles! Think: Centerpieces, on a runner down a long table, on a mantel or at a specifically designated table.

Clockwise from left: Sangmaestro.com; Vera Wang on Weddings (scan); Photography by Bella Uno and created by Emerald City Designs.