Wedding Planning
Fresh vs. Faux: Tips to Choose the Right Wedding Flowers
Flowers are a huge part of establishing a wedding tone, contributing to the mood, and enhancing a couple’s overall theme. But one of the most important decisions couples must make is whether to go with fresh flowers or faux (artificial) blooms. There are pros and cons for both options, and both feel different and have their own appeal. If you are currently looking for a florist for wedding flowers and are comparing floristry wedding packages, choosing fresh versus faux flowers can help determine the best option for your special day. In this guide, we’ll compare fresh and faux flowers, exploring cost, durability, aesthetics, and more, so you can choose the perfect blooms with confidence!
Fresh Flowers: A Timeless Choice for Elegance
Fresh flowers have been the go-to choice for weddings, providing fresh beauty, scent, and an artisanal quality. From subtle roses to extravagant peonies, there are blossoms that can light up any celebration.
Pros of Fresh Flowers:
- Natural Beauty & Fragrance - We all know that fresh flowers have an advantage over artificial flowers in terms of the romance and elegance the former can add to a wedding décor. The natural odour also aids in the entire sensory experience.
- Variety & Seasonal Options - Fresh flowers are available in an infinite number of colours and a wide range of different flowers. A lot of luxury wedding florists will be able to get seasonal blooms that tie perfectly into your wedding’s theme.
- Symbolic & Sentimental Value - Most flowers come with their own meanings that can carry an emotional interpretation of your wedding. For instance, lilies are an expression of pureness, roses are an expression of love.
- Photogenic Cleanliness - Fresh flowers have that glimmering, ethereal quality that gives wedding photography depth and creates soft transitions in bouquets, centrepieces, and floral installations.
Cons of Fresh Flowers:
- More Expensive - Fresh flowers may cost more than you expect, especially if you want rare and off-season type blooms. Many wedding florist packages also offer a budget-friendly option.
- Short Lifespan - Natural flowers fade quickly and can wilt, especially during hot or humid weather. This requires careful hydration and flower-preservation techniques.
- Allergy Issues - Whether it’s the guests (or the couple) with pollen allergies, fresh blooms can be the culprit for this.
Faux Flowers: A Cost-Effective and Durable Replacement
Who doesn’t love having flowers around? Silk, latex or high-quality synthetic material faux flowers are gaining popularity, as they offer longevity and versatility. Modern artificial flowers often look very real and are a perfect substitute for weddings.
Pros of Faux Flowers:
- Lasts Forever - Faux flowers will never wilt or die, making them the perfect keepsake from your wedding. They can be used as home décor or gifts.
- Budget Friendly - Most high-end faux flowers can come with a premium price tag, but they also tend to be less costly than real flowers long-term because they don’t need chilling or special care.
- Weatherproof & Durable - Not affected by heat, humidity, or cold weather, faux flowers are great for outdoor weddings.
- Allergy-Friendly - For those who suffer from flower allergies or if you have guests at an event that do, faux flowers are a safe option that won’t cause any reactions.
- Year-Round Availability - Because fresh blooms may not be in season, faux flowers let you have your favourite flower any time of the year.
Cons of Faux Flowers:
- No Natural Fragrance - Faux flowers are scentless, so some florists have created scented versions to try to replicate the experience.
- Can Look Fake - Cheap versions of faux flowers can look clearly synthetic and detract from the wedding’s vibe, even though high-end faux flowers can look very real.
- Non-Biodegradable - Faux flowers are crafted with non-biodegradable materials, making some more eco-unfriendly than fresh arrangements.
Important Things To Keep In Mind While Selecting Wedding Flowers
Now that you understand the differences between fresh and faux flowers, here’s what to weigh when deciding:
- Budget - If you have a big flower budget and a luxurious vibe in your plans, fresh flowers from a luxury wedding florist may be your best option. For those who want to save money or businesses that need blooms that will hold up well past the end of the wedding, high-quality faux flowers are worth the consideration.
- Wedding Theme & Venue - Fresh flowers may add some natural charm for a romantic garden wedding. A destination or beach wedding may be a better fit for faux flowers; they are resistant to humidity and travel easily.
- Longevity & Keepsakes - Faux flowers are a great option if you want to preserve your bouquet as a wedding keepsake. Dried and preserved flowers are not the same, they need special techniques.
- Seasonal Availability - If you are set on a flower that’s not in season, fauxflowers provide a way to have that bloom any time of the year. Out of season, fresh flowers are available, though they can be expensive.
- Tailoring & Individualization - A talented wedding florist can create custom arrangements with fresh or faux blooms to fit your vision. Some florist wedding packages offer a blend of fresh and faux flowers, so you can have the best of both worlds.
Is It Ok to Mix Fresh and Faux Flowers?
Yes, many couples opt for a hybrid approach, a combination of fresh and faux flowers to fit aesthetics, budget and practicality. For example:
- You can use fresh flowers in bouquets and silk flowers in centrepieces to help save some cash on the decor.
- Add new greenery with faux accent flowers for a natural yet lasting effect.
- Choose faux for décor you won’t examine closely, and use real for personal arrangements (bridal bouquet etc).
Which Wedding Flowers Are Right for You?
If it’s fresh, faux or both, the most important thing is to find an experienced wedding florist who understands your vision. By choosing the right flowers based on your budget, venue and personal preferences, you can create floral arrangements that will add to the beauty of your wedding.
At My Wedding Quote, we connect couples with expert florists offering florist wedding packages tailored to their needs. Whether you want fresh flowers for an upscale wedding or faux arrangements you can enjoy for months, our trusted florists will make your floral fantasies a reality.
Having trouble selecting the ideal florist for wedding flowers? Find local florists and request your bespoke quotes now!