Fake or Real ... That is the Question

I've gone for fake and I'm really pleased about it as a decision - I love the idea of keeping my bouquet and my bridesmaids can keep theirs too, the fake quote was also 1/4 the price of real(!!) which meant we could move that money to the honeymoon budget!

View quoted message I think I am leaning more toward fake if I'm being totally honest. The cost the fact they last are big factors! I’m all for more money for the honeymoon budget!!

Hi - being nosey here. I've been thinking about getting fake flowers too but my OH doesn't believe they'll look good. But i know they can! Just wondering where you recommend getting decent fake flowers from? Many thanks

My friend had artifical flowers and they looked fine (still got my bouquet from being her bridesmaid in my attic), and another friend had real flowers which I pressed a few petals from that bouquet too.
I'm looking on Etsy for artificial flowers though. They seem to have a good selection, though searching on Google brings up many alternatives.

View quoted message Hi, I’m just looking on Etsy at the moment. I’m considering creating my own! It’s all just abit of research at the moment ☺️

View quoted message I’m also looking on Etsy! I’m even considering giving my creative side a go and seeing if I can create my own! ☺️

It sounds like you have time to research and find good quality, affordable fake flowers if that's what suits you. A good tip is to get containers first or at least take measurements of vases - I then went around some shops with a vase in my handbag(!!!) but it helped me narrow down the right size stems so items only needed minimal trimming - you don't want to buy fake then get stressed hacking things all down to size. Have a browse in places like Hobbycraft, The Range and Dunelm and take some images to see how things photograph. The decision to go fake was based on the fact that I am transporting wedding decor a few hours away 2 days before and know nothing will wilt/be affected by hot/cold temperatures or transit and have been able to test run displays months in advance to be sure I really am happy with the colors and style. I will probably blend in some foraged real ivy/greens. There's some lovely, affordable fake/dried flower packages online on places like Etsy. Doing it yourself is fun but will be time consuming, I have set evenings/weekends aside in advance and take plenty of pictures as you try things out. The plus side is I will keep lots and hopefully get back some money as you can sell on some items to others.

Here is my take on artificial flowers.

You are not limited by colour,

They are not affected by seasonal supply and availability .

So many times I have seen brides stressed because the flowers were late being delivered, you can get the artificial months in advance.

They will not get bruised / floppy or loose any heads from being snapped off during the days use

They do not attract wasps - bees and flies.

You can keep them forever.

Some real flower bouquets can actually be quite heavy to carry around all day, artificial ones are very light weight.

In the photos you can not tell that they are artificial. And actually I have been fooled at first glance when seeing them for the first time during bridal prep shots, some are really very good.

But they are not real and for some only real will do and professional florist are experts.

I'm going for fake! It just seems silly to spend that much on real flowers and then just throw them away.

I’m going with some dried preserved flowers from Etsy! That way I can keep them and they are still real and have their scent

I’m actually having both! My florist will provide fake for the banister and staircase of our venue which was half the price of real but my bouquet is real. I have 4 junior BMs so they are having a wrist corsage (real) instead of bouquets. This kept cost down and fits in with my vintage theme!

View quoted message Thanks for the advice ☺️

View quoted message That’s actually great to hear from your perspective as one of my concerns is that the photos wouldn’t look great with them!! You actually make some very valid points also about BUGS! As our wedding is on a lake!! The more I read the more I’m sold on Fake! Thank you for you advice 🙌🏼

View quoted message That’s one of the main reasons I’m looking more and more into fake! We are doing a “Budget Wedding” so I’m saving where I can!!

View quoted message Having a mix sounds really nice especially if it suits what you want and the theme! I love the idea of wrist corsages for the Jr BMs that sounds really sweet!!

Hi I've got fake and real flowers for Mt wedding . These are mine i cant weit to get married soon xx

View quoted message These are lovely, where are they from ? Xx

View quoted message Https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/nettskrafts


She's amazing lady. I told her I wanted a heart shaped bouquet. She first designed it and showed me once I agreed she made them then I paid. She's 5 stars 🌟. She's done our bridesmaids and button holes too xx

I've gone for fake I've made my own bouquet also it's a keepsake and more affordable.
The handle has blue ribbon. It cost me around £40 to make and I've never made anything like this before.

Https://www.driedflowersdecor.co.uk/


I found this place on Instagram if it’s any help. Is wholesale dried flowers. I’ll be getting a bouquet and button holes etc from a florist with a mix of fresh and dried I think but was going to do my own dried flowers table decorations

Is your wedding themed? Dry flowers might be a nice option - they’re real so still look and smell nice but last forever.

Hey
I'm having fake flowers . I'm getting them from flowers by Jane. I hoping to frame my bouquet after the wedding.

I have fake and can keep for years to come

I am super lucky as my mum is make me a bouquet out of fake flowers but she handcrafted them so I have them as a keepsake afterwards
She also did this for my niece last year it was wonderful
Even if she didn't I would have still gone for fake ones as again you have them as a little keepsake

View quoted message Love these !
We have small sunflower button holes and if my mum wasn't making mine this bouquet would be just want I would want. Its beautiful

View quoted message These are stunning 😍

View quoted message I’m going for fake!! The positives for fake outweigh the ones for real 😁!! It’s mostly cost and keepsake that are swaying me xx

I brought fake bridesmaid flowers but my mum wanted me to have fresh. Due to the difference in look I’m now having all fresh!

Dried and preserved make a nice alternative, though the last two weddings I went to (as a bridesmaid), both of the brides made their own bouquets. One used maps (she's big on travelling) to make sort of simple origami flowers, which were beautiful. Another used each of her bridesmaid's favourite books (she's an English teacher) to make paper roses and mixed them with blue artificial flowers. All in all, not a bad idea for a personal touch, if you're in any way crafty!

We went for fake which was mainly a decision as I wasn't too fussed about the flowers and suffer badly with hay fever. They were so much cheaper than some of the real flower quotes I got

I've gone for fake and ordered these from Shein of all places! For the cost, i dont think they look too bad at all and when they are properly arranged (there are more, this is just a selection) I think they will be fine 🙂 (excuse the feet in shot!)