Let's be honest, wedding flowers are kind of a big deal. From bouquets and buttonholes, ceremony florals to table arrangements, the factors to be considered can be endless. Silk wedding flowers are a great alternative to fresh for many reasons, especially for anyone who is allergic to fresh flowers, but are they good enough to beat the real deal? Well, forget any preconceptions about 'tacky' fake flowers, today's silk wedding flowers look better than ever, and with this budding trend firmly sprouted, we spared no time in digging into it to discover the advantages faux can offer. Keep reading to find out if this faux floral option is a good option for your big day.

Everything You Need to Know About Faux Wedding Flowers

Why Choose Silk Wedding Flowers?

Faux flowers continue to get more and more life-like with each passing year, but still, some are better than others. While they can be budget friendly, don’t skimp. If you plan on your flowers being a big part of your wedding’s aesthetic, make sure to pick good quality brands, check online reviews and order samples so you can touch and see your options before making your choices. We have a whole post here on how much wedding flowers cost which you should read first. But here are some really great reasons to choose silk!

• Budget friendly (but not always) Definitely in terms of longevity, but good quality faux and silk blooms are not always the cheapest option.
• Long-lasting so you'll have them for years after your big day.
• Totally allergen free which is great for anyone prone to sneezing.
• They travel really well. Little to no damage will be caused en route!
• Great for sunny destination weddings and hot days when wilting is a worry.
• Ideal for two-part weddings if you're wearing your wedding look for both. Your bouquet will be just as fresh, even if the events are months apart.
• Silk flowers are always in season, which means you can have peonies in December if you wish!
• Prices are stable and more predictable.
• You can often precisely colour-match silk wedding flowers flowers to any shade so they can work with your colour palette.
• You can see your bouquet or arrangements before your big day so no day-of surprises!
• They're very child-proof. Foot-stamping on the flower crown? No biggie!

Can They Look Like The Real Deal?

When sourced correctly, silk faux wedding flowers can look exactly like the real deal. You can find a silk replica of almost any floral type which gives couples great scope if they have a certain style in mind. Make sure to pre-order samples in advance when ordering online as you want to ensure the quality is good before your special day. Things can look very different in pictures, and you'll can want to see and feel the silk flowers before ordering.

What are the Types of Silk Wedding Flowers?

When you think of faux wedding flowers, we often just think “silk wedding flowers”, but there are lots of varieties and options for artificial flowers.

• Silk Wedding Flowers can be made from silk, nylon or polyester fabrics and are visually very lifelike as each head looks slightly different, so in a bouquet they’ll be very convincing.
• Fresh Touch or Real Touch Wedding Flowers are made with a blend of foam and latex, and are the best quality you can buy on the market with a feel that is almost identical to fresh flowers. This does make them the most expensive artificial flower on the market, but, while they won’t necessarily work out cheaper than fresh flowers, they will last a lot longer.
• Foam Wedding Flowers are the cheapest form of artificial flower: they’re lightweight, durable and the dye won’t run if you choose colourfast flowers. As they are cheaper, they often less unrealistic looking if a lot of them are used, so it’s best for foam flowers to be fillers in a much bigger bouquet or arrangement.
• Latex Wedding Flowers are classed as ‘real touch’ flowers so they feel like the fresh thing when you touch them and come in different thickness so you can really accurately replicate the look and feel of the plant. Think delicate pliable rose petals and thicker leaves for plants like orchids.
• Wax-Coated Wedding Flowers are luxury silk flowers that have undergone a process to coat them in a layer of wax which gives them a ‘real touch’ finish. As they’re made from already high-quality silk flowers with detailed veins etc. printed on them so they look real – wax-coated flowers are some of the most realistic-looking artificial flowers on the market, but also the most expensive option.
• Paper Wedding Flowers are a more delicate option handmade from paper. The can be incredibly realistic looking and use sustainable materials and traditional hand-dying techniques. Naturally, paper flowers are delicate and you wouldn’t want to risk them getting wet at an outdoor wedding if the weather turns, but they are fantastic for bouquets or indoor arrangements for environmentally-minded couples.
• Dried Wedding Flowers are real flowers which have been through a drying process. While dried flowers can be less colourful than silk wedding flowers and less fragrant than their fresh incarnations, these everlasting beauties have beautiful muted and warm tones as well and endless varieties of shape and texture. Check out our feature on Dried Wedding Flowers.

How Much Do Silk Wedding Flowers Cost?

With fresh flowers, of course season is a factor, along with types and size of floral arrangements. All of this adds to your flower bill. However, this doesn't necessarily mean silk flowers are more cost effective. This is the one thing you should not skimp on. Pay extra to ensure better, realistic quality and texture, and research reputable sites. It will be worth it!

Where Can You Buy Silk Wedding Flowers?

There are plenty of fabulous suppliers who specialise in silk flower wedding bouquets. Silk floral arrangements sourced online may not have the same quality that professional florists use when creating silk bouquets. Talk to your florist to create the look you want. Ask them to share images from previous wedding arrangements they might have done and ask them to order samples in advance.

In Ireland, check out One Fab Day recommended supplier Made With Love, as well as Innocent Chaos, Wholesale Flowers, Little Buds, Hire & Admire, Faux Blooms Ireland and Little Daisy Flower.

In the UK, check out The Blossom Co., Hire & Admire, The Faux Flower Company, Claire De Fleurs and Silk Florals by Natasha.

Rent and Return

Many wedding planning and styling companies also offer the options to rent smaller scale items. To Have and To Hold and Wholesale Flowers offer a range of faux floral decor items such as centrepieces, cherry blossom tress, arches and faux floral walls which can all be rented for the day.

Accessorise Your Day

There are so many ways to use silk florals on your special day. Floral basket bouquets or headpieces are a beautiful addition to the bridal party, with silk flowers being especially child-proof. And if you have a paw-fect guest attending - a faux floral collar is an absolute must for doggie and feline VIPs! Etsy have a great selection online along with Sass & Halo who can can design bespoke crowns along with providing silk floral bouquets.

Bulk Up The Impact

Larger props such as floral arches and backdrops done using silk flowers can also be a great cost-effective option. Adding artificial greenery and flowers to complement to dress tables such as the remembrance table, the wedding book table or even where you are displaying your wedding cake can really amp up the wow factor. Faux flowers also work really well on cakes especially if it's one that is made and decorated days in advance of your big day.

We have more! Check out 12 Smart Ways to Save Money on Your Flowers, there are many other ways to save money here - 39 Ways To Save: One Fab Day Wedding Budget Tips!

Be sure to follow One Fab Day on Instagram for more inspiration!