Table crystals... acrylic vs swarovski

Mine were acrylic, no one noticed the difference.

In fact most of them either ended up in someone's pint (table throwing competition!) or in the bag of the little girl who was collecting her princess diamonds!

Swarovski Crystals are much nicer, much more sparkly and are of a better quality however for what they are they are not worth it at all imo. Considering I work with Swarovski Crystals on a daily basis I still opted for acrylic ones as otherwise it would have cost hundreds of pounds compared to £10!!

Do not buy Swarovski Crystals. Waste of money that could be spent on other things.

I went on ebay and bought these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10000-Top-Quality-Wedding-Table-Decoration-Diamond-Crystal-Confetti-Mixed-Size-/320957362982?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Celebrations_Occasions_ET&var=&hash=item4aba8cb326 there are loads of variations out there.

Hello

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to crystals and would only use Swarovski but thats because to me there is a very noticeable difference in quality and appearance and think acrylic can look a bit cheap/tacky in my experience but if you personally can't see the difference (i wish i couldnt would save me lots of money!!) then go with the cheaper option.

I'm having Swarovski but only because my Auntie offered to get me some and pay for them if they were coming out of my money I'd have bought acrylic lol

Hmm mixed opinions!

I might order samples of both and compare, or maybe just get acrylics so I don't know exactly how much better swarovski are!

Thanks everyone!

I got acrylic from a chinese company & they looked great. There are so many other things that guests will be looking at in the room & on the table, I personally wouldnt bother spending a fortune on something so insignificant.

Nearly ALL my crystals were collected up by guests, so be prepared to not get any back! At my SIL's wedding, the guests even took the napkin rings, presumabley thinking they were in addition to favours.

These were her napkin rings:

Hmm yeh if I got Swarovski, I'd definitely want to be able to sell them after. So if people (lots of kids at my wedding!) are going to be collecting them up, I'd prob best stick to acrylic!

Don't buy samples of both. If you can afford Swarovski then get them first off but otherwise just buy the cheap ones. Once you see Swarovski compared to Arcylic then you'll know how much better Swarovski look. Honestly once they are scattered on the tables it's pointless spending hundreds of pounds of them and I've heard so many people say they will collect them up afterwards and none have ever remembered to do it or have the time or even botheredness in the end! Seriously do you want to be giving someone that task on your wedding day ? when they could be away enjoying themselves going to see the evening guests arriving.

I doubt people would even notice they were Swarovski and the ones that do will be the ones who have bought them before for a wedding/party etc and they are going to be few and far between.

I use Swarovski on my exhibition tables since my designs are Swarovski but the crystals ALWAYS get stolen!!!

As a rough guide I'd use between 100 to 200 per table which would cost from £14 to £28.

I supply acrylic ones in my venue dressing packages, however i had a Bride who supplied her own swarovski ones and the difference was amazing, I think you would need a lot less per table than the acrylic ones

I've ordered some acrylic ones to practise with. Don't want to spend a fortune on Swarovski if people are just going to help themselves - I'd want to be able to sell them on afterwards! I have lots of children coming so I imagine they might like collecting them. Thanks for your advice everyone!