The scope of this work is an in-depth investigation of dielectric mirror microcavities with central organic dye layers, which are preferably modified in at least one lateral dimension. The large quality factor of the planar resonator in conjunction with comparatively stable and spectrally broad emitting molecules allows for a detailed analysis of several aspects of microresonator systems. Their optical properties are analyzed both with transmission and luminescence measurements as well as in the lasing regime. The first part presents the resonant mode properties of planar and laterally structured microcavities. With the help of a high-resolution imaging micro-photoluminescence setup, working either in the spatial (near field) or vectorial (far field) regime, the polarization splitting is studied in a detuned microcavity, containing the dye 4,4'-bis[(N-carbazole)styryl]biphenyl (BSB-Cz) in a matrix of 4,4'-di(N-carbazolyl)- biphenyl (CBP). With the help of a thickness gradient, a relation between the large spectral distance of the cross-polarized states and the mode position within the stop band is investigated. In shadow-mask prepared, laterally restricted devices (5x5 µm2 square boxes), the three-dimensional confinement introduces sets of discrete modes, which experience a similar polarization splitting. The origin in this case is a different phase shift of electromagnetic waves during internal total reflection at a boundary. By using a concentration gradient planar microcavity sample of the dye 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-4H-pyran (DCM) in a tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) matrix, the influence of the number of emitters on the lasing characteristics is subsequently analyzed. Depending on the pumping conditions, and thus the involvement of the Förster resonant energy transfer, an optimal composition is identified. After a qualitative evaluation of the long-term stability upon various excitation energies, the attention is focussed to the modification of the stimulated emission properties of photonic boxes. The stronger field concentration and altered density of states leads to a significant improvement of the values for the coupling factor fi and the threshold levels. Furthermore, new properties arise, namely simultaneous multimode and off-axis laser emission. With an inhomogeneous excitation of the box, it is possible to selectively excite single modes above the threshold. The work ends with experimental results of metal structures as additional optical element in the organic microcavity layer. Here, the aim is is to understand the passive influence of these possible contact- devices on the lasing performance. For this purpose, the lasing is studied at an interface of an areal thin metal layer, which is incorporated in the organic layer.