A Purple Wedding

From Martha

Purple and power have always been linked. In ancient Rome, purple dyes made from mollusks were so rare only the very rich could afford them. Today, the lovely hue bedecks bouquets, dresses, decorations, and desserts, but it still maintains an aura of elegance and richness. For a classic look, pair a deep purple with blues and browns; for a modern edge, accent lavender with bright green or yellow. Either way, purple is sure to ignite the passion in you.

Flower-Topped Fantasy
Use a pretty monogrammed cake as the pedestal for a cluster of anemones, tulips, lilacs, sweet peas, stephanotis, and allium tied with luxurious taffeta ribbon. Before the first slice is cut, the bride can retrieve the bouquet for the ceremonial toss. By Wendy Kromer.

Chocolate Blooms
These truffles, made from a rich chocolate ganache dusted in cocoa powder and adorned with miniature blooms, are perfect served after dinner or on a dessert buffet. After all, why not let them eat cake and rich confections, too?

Sequined Bouquet
Cool silver makes bold fuschia shine even brighter! This bouquet combines sweet peas, roses, and feathery astilbe with helichrysum and beaded leaves. To give it a magical shimmer, pink sequins affixed to wire stems are interspersed among the blooms.

Succulent Centerpiece
In a table setting that evokes an English garden, roses and flowering oregano in mauve tones contrast with succulents (brown-tinged echeverias and trailing crassula) and curly fiddleheads.

Leafy Boutonnieres
Decorate groomsmen's lapels with fresh and fabric boutonnieres. The leaves are made of handsome textiles, the patterns mimicking the veins of real leaves. To play on your theme, match the contrasting green sprigs to the bridal bouquet.

UPDATE
tutorial for truffles here