Silk or Fresh?

You are deciding upon your wedding flowers and everyone around you has their opinion on what you should have. What are the differences between silk/artificial and fresh flowers? Is it mainly just a difference of appearance? How do the prices compare? Should fragrance matter? What about functionality?

There is no "right" choice or one that is more acceptable than any other. The only important thing to know that in the end – your choice must fit your personal criteria. Let's look at some points to consider when deciding;

Appearance

Silk/artificial flowers are designed to look their best – each one is crafted to look beautiful at any stage of the flower's development. Fresh flowers do not have that advantage. Sometimes you must use what is available. In nature not every bloom is perfect and there can be much more waste using fresh product as you may have to pick thru the lot to find the nicest looking blossoms for your bouquet or arrangement. Some modern silk flowers look so close to the real thing that at times you may have to touch or smell them to determine what it actually is.

Price

Here, as with many products, the cost can vary greatly. Every department store carries artificial flowers for a low cost but , as you would expect, not the highest of quality. They look fine and could be suitable for many types of arrangements. However, if you are thinking of using silk flowers for a high style, modern, or an Asian inspired style of bouquet or arrangement you would want to invest in higher end,better quality flowers. These can be found at interior design shops, craft shops or thru your designer's wholesaler. Designs that rely on simplicity of line and style should use a good quality flower because they often have few flowers and are more of a focal point. These better quality flowers will of course be more costly than the department store variety but you may not need as many.

Fresh flowers are much closer in quality from store to store. Differences in price tend to have more to do with demand ( such as in a holiday ), availability ( shipping problems or frost), or simply the mark up at a higher end store. Unless you are looking for an exotic, hard to find flower, your cash and carry variety roses often come from the same supplier as those expensive ones from your local florist.

Fragrance

-can have it's pros and cons. Personally, I love the fragrance of fresh flowers. However, when planning a function at which you have loved ones and special invited guests attending together in a relatively enclosed space it is important to keep in mind everyone's comfort

and health. Just as dietary considerations are taken into account when planning a menu you should remember those with intolerances or severe allergies to fragrance or flowering plants. Extreme allergies may prohibit the use of fresh flowers or even scented candles.

Functionality

This consideration takes into account transportation, location, and usage. Brides getting married in small towns far from florists may choose to have silk flowers as they can pack and travel well. One of my couples were travelling to Canmore to a lovely rustic chalet to get married, in January. Their choice was made simple when we discussed the stress-free aspect of silk as opposed to fresh. Flowers finding themselves exposed to the elements as decorations fare far better when they are artificial. Bouquets made of silk can be taken apart and remade into anything your arts-and-crafty heart desires!

Hopefully these suggestions will help you in making your final decision. Either way, you will end up with a beautiful adornment for your special day.