Artificial Flowers for wedding reception...?

Question

My mother thinks its better than real flowers what do you think. and why.

Answer 1

I think it is a matter of preference.
Silks have come a LONG way since their conception, and many are now hard to tell from the real thing without VERY close inspection. The benefit of this is that you could recoup some of the money spent after the wedding by re-selling your arrangements. Another possible benefit is that silks rarely (and I mean VERY rarely) have anyone that is allergic to them. Real flowers may give your guests allergy troubles. The down side is that good silks can be almost as expensive as the real ones (sometimes more so).

Real flowers however have a natural beauty and scent. Getting them out of season though can be a real pain as you will have added cost and have to worry about wilting. You would also have to pay to preserve your bouquet (if you chose to do so) but with silks you wouldnt have to.

Just do your homework thoroughly before deciding which way to go. Do not purchase silks unless you can hold one in your hand and see it in person... you do not want to end up with a really low quality flower just to save a few cents.

Answer 2

i had artificial flowers at my wedding ,everything the button holes , bridesmaids , in the church , the reception and even my own were artificial my flowers layed up your arm (like holding a baby ) something a bit different , ive been to a lot of wedding and the amount of money it cost to have your flowers made just for them to die is unbeliveble yes you can get them pressed and put into a frame but that will cost you nearly as much as it cost for the flowers in the first place ,
the coments i got about my flowers were unreal you couldnt tell thay were artifical because my mother had made them so well and i have something to keep my flowers are in my bathroom now laying across the window ledge , you no its your wedding have a little think go ask some prices of real flowers and then think about how much thay are going to cost just to die at least with artificial you will always have , you could always mix the two together .good luck in what you decide and have a great wedding

Answer 3

I certainly prefer fresh flowers but at this moment in time have been seeing different florists for weddings flowers and really just seems to be a matter of choice. Some of the sample bouquets and arrangements we picked up we actually had to touch to decide if they were fresh or silk, Here (Scotland) there were no difference in price, example the brides bouquet was the same in silk or fresh flowers. As the venue of our wedding is large with high ceilings we require something substantial for table arrangements and whilst these will be fresh we are thinking of 2 in silk for the top table as table decorations are usually given to close family or people who has helped with the wedding at end of the evening. As we have 2 people, 1 a stroke victim and another very elderly not attending the wedding we thought the 2 silk arrangements could be taken to them at a later date as a little gesture from the bride and groom. Just telling you this in case you may have similar circumstances. The florist has assured us the 2 silk arrangements will look exactly as the others.

Answer 4

Real flowers are lovely but they cost quite alot of money and only last a few days. Artificial flowers will last a life time so you and your guests can keep them after the day and have a permant reminder of the day. As long as your bouquet has real flowers I don't think there is any need for real ones at the reception.

Answer 5

I think silk flowers for a wedding are an awesome idea. My best friend used silk calla lilies in her wedding and NO ONE could tell. People were even smelling them at the reception...which was too funny. I still have my bouquet... everyone that sees them smells them... almost a year later. The great things about artificial flowers are they are much less expensive, you don't have to worry about them dying or staining anything, and you can keep them forever. My wedding bouquet was real and I wish I had done silk... because my friend has a beautiful bouquet and mine is UGLY! Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 6

I think you should combine fresh flowers with silk ones (please not plastic). Silk flowers are not really that cheap but they look so real and is worthwhile to do weeks ahead. Silk ones won't wilt but it still might work out cheaper, just do the math beforehand. I'll put it on the cake, on the chairs, the aisles, in other words every where the guests will not look and feel and smell and discover that they are fake. But use fresh ones for your bouquets, the corsages and boutounnieres, and on the tables or if you choose to decorate your serviettes with flowers, in a ribbon around the serviette. The rest can be fake if used decoratively. If you are clever nobody will tell the difference and will think "I wonder how much all these flowers cost...rich people".

Answer 7

Well, artificial flowers have never taken off, because of the beauty of fresh flowers...I still think that fresh flowers are so delicate and beautiful that an artificial flower can never match. It is really up to you. If you like real flowers, go with it, it is your wedding

Answer 8

Silk flowers are terrific. They don't look artificial and you don't have the concern about real flowers being delivered on the day and perhaps fading or dying or being damaged throughout the ceremony and reception. Also, you get to keep your bouquet forever, instead of having to throw it away when it dies! I had silk flowers and they were beautiful!

Answer 9

Artificial flowers are OK for the reception and probably safer as no water in vases needed and they can be arranged and put to one side ready for your big day saving a lot of time and frustration, but make sure your bouquet is the real thing.

Answer 10

I am a pro photographer and have participated in hundreds of weddings in my lifetime
Artificial flowers these days are made extremely well-- look absolutely superb --- can be a beautiful addition -- without near the fuss and trauma associated with trying to deal with the real ones and not only cost considerable less--- after everything is said and done--- you can use them in a hundred different ways afterwards !! Very smart-- if you ask me---and you did !!!!