Green Entertaining

In the spring issue of Martha Stewart Weddings there is a beautiful spread on green-and-white palettes for spring or summer weddings. What I love about Martha Stewart Weddings, and what I'm sure the editors already realize, is that the content can be so easily applied to any special occasion or larger-scale event: anniversaries, milestone birthdays or graduation dinners. Below are some of the beautiful examples of how the editors took green and white and created an environment of cool, summery elegance.

The criss-crossed ribbon on the table creates a lovely lattice pattern, evocative of a garden trellice. Ruffled hydrangeas and vibernum look like a hedgerow in this arrangement. Grace Collection glasses and Martha Stewart Wedgwood on the tabletop.

When you choose a single colour to anchor your tablescape, you can blend different china patterns. The natural motifs make these designs even more interchangeable. The bamboo pattern calls to mind a tropical locale, and the abstract leaves are softened by the organic lines of the vines they grow on. A touch of formality comes from the gold-edged and fluted rims of overlapping scales.

Cuccumber and asparagus sandwiches, made with herbed cream cheese, are the perfect tea-time accompaniment at a spring brunch.

Send beautiful invitations to your spring party that match the colour scheme of your event-to-be. These are by Kerry Doyle for Minted.com.

This bouquet was obviously designed for a lucky bride, but placed in a McCoy vase they would be a beautiful addition to a side table or used as a centerpiece. (The white dragon fly is a whimsical touch, available at floraltrims.com.)

Wedding favours could just as easily be turned into parting gifts for a graduation party or 40th birthday party. The tags come in four different patterns and can be downloaded at marthastewartweddings.com/spring-green-tags.