Silk Wedding Flowers

For most newly engaged couples planning a wedding, a budget is of the utmost importance. Most couples find that the largest cost of their nuptials is the expense of a reception. Thus, many do what they can to cut costs in other areas so that they can afford a lavish reception. Enter the silk wedding flower. Wedding planners will tell prospective clients that much of the ceremony costs involve the expense of fresh flowers for decorating. This is because the betrothed are unaware that a flower that may be his or her favorite is not in season in the United States, and must fly them in from foreign countries and great expense. Here are a few things that one must look at to determine if silk flowers are appropriate for your big day.

Live vs. Silk - When To and When Not To Use

Substituting silk wedding flowers for live flowers is a possibility in many situations of the wedding setting. Sometimes the use of even the highest quality silk flower is not appropriate. Instances that silk wedding flowers are appropriate are for areas where the flowers compliment another center of focus, such as those that surround a pillar candle to decorate a table at the reception location. It is also appropriate to use silk flowers to decorate areas within the ceremony location that are not easily accessible by wedding guests, like those that may decorate columns, chuppahs, and arches where the happy couple stand during the vows. In addition, areas of high traffic, such as arrangements places on the ends of pews of a chapel, synagogue, or church are a good place for silk floral designs. Silk petals are appropriate for flowers girls to drop prior to the brides walk down the aisle. Silk wedding flowers are also good to use for the bride's "throw away" or "toss" bouquet. The catcher of the bouquet will probably want to keep it as a keepsake.

It is almost always never appropriate to use silk wedding flowers in the bouquet of the bride. This is one of the main focuses of the ceremony, and even the most expensive silk flowers do not compare to live flowers in this situation. For attendants, some flowers work better than others do, for bouquets or flowers that they carry. Silk flowers also should never be used anywhere close to open flames, such as where smaller candles are being used. They pose the risk of setting the area on fire.

Varieties and Quality Available in Silks

There are different levels of silk wedding flowers. The least expensive flowers do not look like real flowers, no matter what you may think. More expensive versions are most like the real thing, and still do not amount to the cost that one would pay for live flowers of the same type. You will usually find a low cost version, a medium cost, and an expensive version. Again, the ones purchased should depend upon the intended placement.

What Kind of Traditional Wedding Flowers Offer Silk Alternatives?

Most popular flowers are available in a silk wedding flower alternative. These flowers include:
Roses (buds, semi-opened, opened, spray)
Calla Lilies
Carnations
Tiger Lilies
Orchids
Gerbera Daisies
Hydrangeas
Delphiniums
Baby's Breath
Chrysanthemums
Tulips
Gardenias
Peonies

Which Silk Flowers Do Not Work for a Wedding Flower?

Of all the flowers that I have seen that just do not work for a weeding flower are some of the lower end Calla Lilies, Tulips, and Roses. All of these flowers are flowers that have large petals and thus the lack of detail allows one to spot the silks trying to pass as real. For the use of petals in most cases, this does not apply. The best idea is to use best judgment. If the buyer can look at it and question that it is real or not, do not buy it.

Also keep in mind that just because they make it in your favorite color, does not mean use it in the floral arrangements for your wedding. Such is the case of the blue Calla Lilies. These do not grow in the real world, so why use it in your arrangement.

Where to Purchase

There are many locations to purchase silk wedding flowers. Many craft, pottery, and hobby stores, such as Hobby Lobby (http://www.hobbylobby.com), Michaels (http://www.michaels.com), and Garden Ridge (http://www.gardenridge.com) sell a variety of silk floral.

There are also many online retailers that sell them as well. Afloral (http://www.afloral.com) is a good place to find a wide variety of silk wedding flowers.

USI Floral (http://www.usifloral.com) is a site that not only has wedding silks, but ones for home or office décor.

SilkFlowers.com (http://www.silkflowers.com) is another site that has a wide variety of flowers available in both pre-made arrangements and individual stems.

Source:
Silkflowers.com
http://www.silkflowers.com