Everyone loves food. By using food as décor, you're sure to make your wedding a hit. From fresh fruits and veggies to baked goods and jars of homemade canned goodies, food items can be artfully arranged into stunning décor. Canning and apothecary jars can be grouped into centerpieces and stylish arrangements by mixing up several different styles and sizes of jars. Envelopes and pouches of fresh or dried herbs can fill baskets, cans, or jars or be strewn across tables. Fresh fruits and colorful veggies look beautiful in tall clear glass vases.

Unique Choices

Get creative with food and reap the rewards. One great thing about edible favors and decorations is that you probably won't have any left to worry about; your guests will be more than glad to take it home. If by chance there is any left, donate it to a local shelter or food pantry that could really use it.

Message Bread

Baked goods can be arranged in old-fashioned wicker baskets or pretty cloth-lined bread baskets, or they can be placed on rising tiered serving plates for an eye-catching display. If you really want to wow your guests, give them baked message breads. These mini bread rolls have a piece of paper inside like a fortune cookie. You can inscribe the paper with little sayings, quotes about love, or designs with symbolic significance. These little baked goods are something that will surprise your guests and keep them talking for some time after the reception. You'll probably get more than a few requests for the recipe and directions for how to make them.

Message Bread

Makes 20

1⅔ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

⅓ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup butter

¼ cup water

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Real parchment paper that can be baked

Nontoxic felt pen

These mini bread rolls can be made sweetly with sugar and icing or herb cheesy with Parmesan cheese, herbs, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds.

1. Gather your ingredients and make the parchment cutouts first. You'll want to cut them into 2″ × 3″ rectangles and write your little sayings on each one. Once you have your messages ready, you can start on the bread.

2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cheese in a mixing bowl.

3. Heat butter and water, add to the bowl, and blend well.

4. Place dough in a warm area for one hour.

5. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a ½″ thick rectangle.

6. Using a pastry wheel, sharp knife, or pizza cutter and a ruler, cut out twenty 3″ × 4″ rectangles.

7. Place each message on top of the dough rectangle and roll into a cylinder shape, then twist the ends.

8. Beat egg yolk and cream, then brush the rolls with the mixture. Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with the sesame and poppy seeds. To give them more of an herb flavor, add a little bit of garlic and Italian herbs to the mixture before brushing it on and skip the seeds.

9. Bake for 25 minutes at 375°F.

10. Cool on a wire rack. Tie the ends with ribbon for a cute and whimsical addition.

Simple Strawberry Freezer Jam

You don't have to know the first thing about canning to make this easy recipe successfully.

Simple Strawberry Freezer Jam

2 quarts

2 quarts fresh organic strawberries, washed, with tops removed

8 cups of organic sugar

2 packages of powdered pectin (1.75 ounces each)

This is a quick and easy recipe that can be made in advance and then put into little jars for the day of the wedding and given out as favors. It can be frozen for up to a year or refrigerated for three weeks.

1. Crush strawberries in blender or food processor.

2. Pour strawberries into a large bowl and add sugar. Let stand for about 10 minutes.

3. Combine pectin and 1½ cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let boil for about one minute, stirring constantly.

4. Add pectin to strawberry mixture and stir until sugar dissolves.

5. Pour into freezer-safe containers and cover. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.

6. Store in refrigerator for up to three weeks; freeze for up to one year.

Finding Inspiration

The Internet and your local library are full of recipes and resources. Take advantage of both if you want to make some incredible edibles for ultimately green décor. Be sure to tap into your family and friends' culinary skills and secret recipes for yummy treats.

If you're not sure which edible treats will make wedding-friendly decorations, here's a partial list of treats that can be transformed into elegantly edible décor with just the addition of a few decorative labels or fashionable accessories:

• Bottles of herbed and flavored vinegars or oils. Use a variety of bottle shapes and sizes to add visual texture.

• Tiny jars of spice mixes such as garden blend, garlic and herb, Cajun spice, and chili seasoning. Make sure to include a label with ingredients or directions on how to use.

• Jars of fruit or herb butters

• Flavored honey or syrups

• Jars of flavored sugar

• Baskets full of baked goods such as mini loaves of bread, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies

• Tins of specialty teas

• Jars of dry goods mixes, such as a jar layered with all the dry ingredients for oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or even Grandma's famous brownies (secret ingredient included); include a tag with directions on what to add and how to mix and bake. You can also make jar mixes for things other than sweet treats — for instance, chilies, soups, stews, and even cornbread.

• Bags filled with mixes for biscuits, scones, or muffins

• Plates filled with fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate

The edible options are endless. Pick something you are passionate about that you think your guests will enjoy.