Forever Flowers

There was a time not so very long a go when an artificial bouquet was simply a money saving decision  with most brides choosing fresh flowers if they could afford it.  In recent years though, so many brides are now making the decision to use silk or artificial flowers for their wedding or opting create their own bouquets as a statement, rather than for financial constraints and the flowers used range from artisan created fabric flowers, to DIY paper posies to brooch bouquets without a flower in sight!

 The obvious advantage in choosing to go faux is that your flowers will last for many years to come, leaving you with a pretty reminder of your wedding day.  If you elect to use realistic silk flowers, you have the advantage of being able to use any blooms you choose in your bouquet, regardless of season.  Few brides choose their wedding date for the availability of their favourite flower and many of us have gone to visit our florist with visions of our dream bouquet in our head only to be devastated to learn that our dream will be either impossible or prohibitively expensive and very short lived.

Silk flowers have come a long way from the stiff looking plastic leaved versions of yesteryear and if quality blooms are used are practically impossible to tell from their organic counterparts.  Better still, they are robust enough not to wilt in the heat, or be crushed and damaged from over zealous embraces from happy relatives!

It's important to do your research if your decision to use fake flowers is purely based on budget.  A bouquet of handmade silk flowers will often set you back a similar amount to that of fresh flowers and it is possible that your florist will be able to work with you and suggest ways in which you can reduce the cost of your bouquet to make it more affordable.

Here are just some of the options available for purchase on Etsy if you are not inclined to make your own:

'Fabulous Fakery' by WhitePoppyBridal

Who says that your wedding flowers have to be fresh?

Petite Bouquet in All Blush EmiciBridal $600.00	Bride's Bouquet, fabric... thepaisleymoon $125.00
Vintage brooch bouquet, broo... thepaisleymoon $325.00	White Ivory Cream Lace Fabri... BrianneBlossom... $175.00
Small Coffee Filter Peony Bo... Literarian $120.00	Wedding Season Sale- Beach B... desicra $120.00
Sparkle and Fray - Vintage r... florabond $595.00	Build Your Own Bridal Bouque... FlowerThyme $70.00
bridal bouquet, weddings, Na... AutumnandGrace... $275.00	Pinwheel Wedding Party Set o... rule42 $148.00
Custom Color Felt and Button... MissJenniferRa... $45.00	Craspedia Wedding Bouquet Br... Fairyfolk $45.00
Silk Bride Bouquet Peony Flo... braggingbags $99.00	Country Chic Bridal Bouquet ... thecoralboutiq... $65.00
Sweetie Pie Bridal Package flowersbytheva... $199.99	Silk Bride Bouquet Ranunculu... braggingbags $79.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

To me, the most exciting aspect of this trend is that brides now have so many options available to them and none of them are looked upon as being second rate to the beautiful but delicate fresh flower.  This opens up so much scope for creativity and allows room for real self expression.  If you choose to use faux flowers the options are endless - from artisan designed bouquets of silk dupioni to DIY posies of paper or vintage brooches.