Outdoor Wedding in Orange

Making striking flower arrangements is easy with the right materials.

For clear vases like the ones shown here, fill with presoaked water-absorbing crystals (allow the crystals to sit in water according to the manufacturer's instructions). This will give the vase that "crushed-ice" look. Add flowers, then fill the container with water.

For opaque containers, use water-soaked florist's foam (also known as "oasis"). Cut a piece of foam slightly larger than the container, leaving about 1/2 to 1 inch of foam sticking out of the top of the container. Slice off the foam's edges to create a more rounded top. Cut flowers to the desired length (here, just a few inches long for most arrangements), and push the stems into the foam. Gently fill the vase with water.

This appetizer ice table cost approximately $1,200.

This 5-foot-tall table of ice left was sculpted before the wedding by a professional and delivered to the site an hour before the guests arrived. "Sculptures make a huge statement," says Jeff Foley of Clear Memories.

To prolong the life of an ice sculpture, keep it out of the sun and wind. Drainage tubes and trays or buckets should be set up to collect runoff.

Wheatgrass-covered display table.

Nature inspired the wheatgrass-covered table displaying table cards. Screw plastic garden edging to the table edge and use spray glue to adhere moss sheets (available at floral supply stores) to the tabletop.

Plant the tabletop with wheatgrass and adorn with flowers. The centerpiece floral ball is adorned with green cymbidium orchids. (Be sure to start this project a few weeks early so the grass is at the desired height for your wedding!)