Posted on March 23, 2018 by New Jersey Bride
Every bride wants beautiful flowers on her wedding day. So what’s a girl to do when those delicate ‘Cafe au Lait’ dahlias are dead on arrival because they didn’t last long out of water. Love the idea of lush peonies? Well, we hope you’re getting married in May when they’re in bloom. Outdoor wedding? Yikes—hydrangeas and heat do not get along. Planning on taking pics a few hours before the ceremony or in between the ceremony and reception? It’s unlikely your bouquets will withstand all of that action and still look picture-perfect.
The good news is that silk flowers have come a long way, and you’ll have a tough time guessing which blooms are the real deal and which ones are imposters. So when is it best to go faux? Here’s a guide to using faux flowers for your wedding:
When you can’t beat the heat.Whether you’re a summer bride or just getting married in a warm climate, heat is a big factor when selecting the right flowers. Roses are always a go-to since they stand up pretty well in all conditions, but most other flowers do not fair as well. Sometimes faux is the way to go. A faux bouquet or centerpiece is a sure-fire way to keep your flowers looking picture-perfect for the duration of your wedding from start to finish.
In the great outdoors. If you’re getting married outdoors or hosting a tented wedding, be wary of certain flowers like hydrangeas. Florists often use silk hydrangeas as a base of the arrangement and pepper in real roses and seasonal blooms and no one knows the difference. Nothing is worse then a floppy, deflated hydrangea.
Out of season, out of luck. Dahlias, peonies and poppies, oh my! There are certain blooms that always come up when talking flowers—but unfortunately these varieties are extremely seasonal and often unpredictable. The same goes for many unique greens, berries and favorites like Moonglow pepper chilis, privet berries and scabiosa pods. Opting to use a few faux stems of these blooms mixed in with fresh flowers is a great way to get the look you want, no matter what time of year.
Extended portrait sessions. If you’re planning on taking photos a few hours before the ceremony or in between the ceremony and reception, chances are your bouquets and boutonnières are not going to go the distance. Nobody wants to see a bride and her bridesmaids walking down the aisle or into the reception with dead bouquets. The same goes for floral crowns and floral hairpieces. Fresh blooms do not last long out of water, and they are also extremely heavy and difficult to secure into your hair for a long period of time. As for the guys, they are known to be less than gentle with their flowers, especially when they take off their jackets and toss them about. Faux blooms are the way to go.
Oversized displays and installations. If your heart is set on a gargantuan flower wall, hanging greenery display or suspended floral chandeliers, keep an open mind when it comes to using faux flowers. These types of displays often must be created onsite and installed the day of the event. This requires a large staff as well as tools, ladders, scaffolding and sometimes even hydraulic lifts. Faux blooms enable a floral team to create these installations over time and even set them up a few days before, which turns into a huge savings in labor. Some floral and event designers even have items like this premade and available for rent. Don’t get turned off by the idea of silk flowers—in pictures, they look phenomenal. Also keep in mind that big items like these are usually viewed from afar; your guests won’t be getting up close and personal with them.
FAUX FLOWER RESOURCES
Here are some of our favorite faux-flower suppliers:
—Afloral; afloral.com. Very realistic-looking, wax-like flowers.
—G & G Distributors, 201-791-1330; gandgwebstore.com. You have to buy in bulk here,
but they have a warehouse in Saddle Brook, where you can check it out in person.
—Joann Fabrics; joann.com. They have a unique, well-priced selection.
—Michaels; michaels.com. They typically have the best prices and sales.
CREDITS:
Stylist ~Kristin Rockhill Photography ~ Jackie Averill Hair ~ Salon Gatto Makeup ~ Make Me Glam
Gown ~ The Bridal Suite Boutique Venue ~ Natirar Stationery ~ April Lynne Designs Rentals ~ Party Rental LTD
